DIY Crepes for Breakfast

I know, I know. These aren't healthy for you but everyone's got their vices and if I have one that's pretty serious, it is Nutella crepes :P I like to prepare these for my family when we have the luxury of a leisurely breakfast at home. My son helps me out and my daughter watches from her high chair :) My husband just eatsthe final product hahaha!

Read my DIY recipe for super easy and quick homemade crepes here.

Wow, I've been making crepes for many years already! I must learn how to do this from scratch. Any readers care to share their crepes from scratch recipes? My cousin shared with me one before with rhum. I will test in my kitchen and update you in a following post. For now, have a yummy breakfast!

DIY Waldorf Playstand

I've been wanting a Waldorf Playstand for my son since he began his schooling years. Since we haven't lived more than 3 years in one place, I never got myself into making one! 

Now that we've rooted ourselves in Manila (in the meantime), and Santi has a little sister to share with. I thought it would be a good investment to have one made!

This is a fairly easy peg to follow. Thanks to another Waldorf parent, Samantha who gave me the idea when she had hers done!

You can choose to have just one made if you are on a budget but I really like the idea of draping cloth over the Playstand to create the home or castle effect. Remember that your children's imagination awakens when there is less of everything so don't over design or use any colors!

You may have yours made through any trusty local furniture maker, better if you know someone who does woodwork. If you want one just like mine, call Dante Azares at 0922-822-28-59 or visit Uni-Art Home Decors on Facebook. I paid 6,600php for this 2-set wooden playstand plus delivery fee. 

I can also recommend wood artist, Niccolo Jose +63 998 963 4337 who can do any wood work according to your design needs.

My next dream project for Maya. I've always wanted a miniature doll house!!!

I am now accepting pledges for her Christmas present fund! Lol :)

Photo credits to NovaNatural.com and Live Sweet Photography on Instagram

DIY Chocolates: A Disaster!

So it started all fine... inspired by a recipe I saw online, I gathered my premium organic raw ingredients, most acquired from my recent Bali trip with FLOW Retreats and followed recipe as best as I could.

Yea, I'll admit it. I'm a Martha Stewart wannabe but half the time my food creations end up rotting in the fridge or chucked in the trash! So, this is one of those sad situations. Don't believe all recipes online will make your own experiments pinterest or Instagram worthy. Because mine right now is a complete disaster! I expected chocolates but it taste more like a half a candle layer and another honey layer. Yikes!

What shall I do with the waste? Can I make soap with this, Ana?! 

DIY: Learning the Art of Batik Dyeing

As a very hands on mother to two young children, a yoga teacher and entrepreneur, I barely have time outside my usual routine of work commitments and errands for home. But when the women behind L'Indochine invite you to a Batik Dyeing Workshop with craft queen Alessa Lanot of Life After Breakfast - you simply make time and say YES!

Upon arriving the grand flagship L'Indochine store, I was welcomed with this exotic table set up which I completely adore. I sense that I have a string of past lives in the ancient lands of Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, India and in Asia, Indonesia hence my natural affinity to these places, their design patterns and hues.

Alessa showed us different techniques on how to create throw pillowcases using imported dyes.

Gorgeous trays from L'Indochine were given out to participants!

When they announced that there was a contest for bespoke jewelry by Elena Bautista, my game face suddenly turned on.

My shawl and skirt from India and my top from Bali, Indonesia - see what I mean?

Tada! Guess who won?! I was selected as one of the winners. Yay! Here I am together with Alessa, Leona and Charlene of L'Indochine and the other winners showing off our Batik masterpieces.

Then I finally had the appetite to sample their food (my son Santi was happily munching along while I was seriously working to win!) Here's the buffet set up by Chelsea Kitchen. Lookie, I found a vegetarian snack- how addicting this mushroom chicharon! The type that needs to be taken away from you or you end up finishing the whole bowl!

It was delightful afternoon of crafternoon fun, catching up with some of my favorite lifestyle bloggers in Manila. Cat Juan Ledesma recently birthed a baby so I was surprised to see her but was glad just the same to congratulate her for the succesful waterbirth of Nara. And I finally meet Paula in the flesh! I've got itchy feet just like her so I live vicariously through her travel stories.

Thank you to L'Indochine, Life After Breakfast and all the sponsors for making this wonderful event possible. I look forward to attending more workshops at L'Indochine soon!

List of Sponsors

Uniqlo / Shine Bakery and Cafe / Chelsea Kitchen / Real Living Magazine / Fino / Nifty Manila / Celeteque / Digital Traincase / Mommy Mundo / Caren Carlos / Forever 21 and Smell Chic

To see what every participant got in their loot, read the write up from The Inspiration Seekers here.

The throw pillows Santi and I made fit perfectly in one corner of our home.

8 Reasons Why You Should Go To The Artis-Artisan Fair This Sunday

Previously on this blog was the Handmade Soap Exhibit and Tea Party feature which many of you missed and so here is another chance to attend a very special event, an Artisan Fair in Antipolo. I've listed 8 reasons why you should GO!

#1 Revel in nature's charm. 

Taking the trek to Antipolo is worth it because you will get to breathe fresh air and have green views not common to the city of Manila anymore. The fair venue itself is the home of artisan builder, Vitty Gutierrez. According to his bio in his website, he likes to create homes that enhance the humanity and souls of those who see, visit and live in them. 

The BeeHouse in Antipolo by Vitty Gutierrez

"A home is not just a box that shelters us from the harsh environment, but a structure that creates excitement, allows us to experience and protects our physical and emotional being."

#2 Shop with a cause.

Emma Gutierrez handpainted these 2015 calendars available for sale this weekend. Her project will fund the building of a classroom for the affected Yolanda children. Read more about it on her blog here.

#3 Eat "Homebaked Treats by Chari"

You'll have to agree with me on this. There is nothing more yummy than homemade baked goods. Grab a cake or some other pastries and share with your family!

#4 Learn from the creators themselves.

Live demos all throughout the day with the handmade sellers themselves. Make sure to register with Marie!

Floral artwork by watercolor artist Arlene Sy

#5 Support Local Talent

Let's support homegrown artists by purchasing gifts that promote Filipino ingenuity.

Honeycomb Comics by husband and wife team, Lorra and Elbert

#6 These bags by ALF Scandinavian Novelties.

Frequent travelers will appreciate these bags. Definitely on my Christmas wishlist for myself and for my kids!

#7 Home Items by Luona

#8 Free outdoor Yoga by ME!

Please remember to register with Marie at 0917-6229795 and bring your own yoga mats!

Please see the map for directions. See you this Sunday! 

DIY Advent Calendar

It is December 2 and the countdown begins to Christmas! I should've posted this yesterday but I had just gotten back from a FLOW retreat so I had a pile of home errands to attend to. Oh, and let's not forget REST. We all need time to breathe and just be. In the midst of this season's chaotic buzz, this is what we need.

DIY Advent Calendar

A few days ago, I completed this personalized advent calendar using whatever I had at home. I had so much envelopes sitting on my desk 'for future re-use' and here is the perfect project for its rebirth! My son is learning numbers right now so it would be good to get to know each one as we countdown to one of his favorite holidays. I want him to associate this Advent season with special memories so inside each envelope is a piece of paper with activities for the family. Last night it said:

"Read the 1st story in "Light of the Lantern" while holding hands."

I patterned the Advent calendar to look like a tree and placed a gold star above which my son brought home from school one day. All materials were repurposed which I love because everything has a story. The door to the right side was painted black which I used as a blackboard for this week's advent verse. (I am supposed to light the first candle of the advent wreath which I have yet to get my hands on.)

The first Light of Advent It is the Light of stones:

The Light that shines in seashells In crystals and our bones.

I find it therapeutic to do crafts, even if it does not compare to what I see on Pinterest. What makes it special is - it was made by my hands so the energy is personal and that is what my kids appreciate.

Try making your own advent calendar using things that are in your home. Please share ideas as well!

DIY: Healthy Cacao Butter & Peanut Hemp Milk Shake

Sharing with you an easy, healthier peanut butter and banana hemp milk shake I prepare myself whenever I crave something sweet.

Ingredients:

1 Banana
1 Cup Hemp Milk from Healthy Options
1 Tbsp Cacao Butter & Chocnut Spread from Ritual
Chia seeds (optional)

Blend everything, mix chia seeds in your drink after and enjoy! Simple and sweet!

Did you know that Cacao Butter is a superfood?
"Cacao Butter is a good source of Vitamin E (beta- and gamma- tocopherols) and has a unique composition including the essential fatty acids Omega-6 and monounsaturated Omega-9 (oleic acid, like olive oil) as well as stearic acid - an unusual fat in that it neither increases nor decreases blood cholesterol" 
-http://www.powersuperfoods.com.au/cacao-butter.html

Hemp Milk, a superfood too!
"Hemp Milk is a great source of nutritious protein and is capable of delivering the tough-to-find amino acid, GLA. Hemp milk is rich in protein and contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, B-12 and folic acid, and is rich in magnesium, potassium, iron and magnesium. All essential nutrients for a healthy diet and immune system."
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/05/got-hemp-milk-benefits-of-hemp-milk.html

A Beatles-Inspired Yellow Submarine Party

In the recent months, we have been attending many themed and stylized or DIY birthday parties that Santi would enjoy. And so, it was inevitable for him to request his own party "with a theme". We considered a few themes (which I won't mention because we just might use it another time) until we figured the perfect one would be The Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. 

The story behind this is that this is the only app in my Ipad which I encourage Santi to view because it's a storybook with songs from The Beatles and has good life lessons which I'm all for. So, he's taken a liking to the Beatles since then and would sing the songs with us whenever we would play it. Hippie parenting - check!

So, I had a concept and needed a venue (with ample parking!) where food is mostly liked/loved, and where they will allow me to put together a dessert buffet. I actually argued with Montri on this one because he insisted we do it in a restaurant when I wanted to do it in a home-setting so I can have full control of every little detail which he thought was insane because then we'd have to hire waiters, chairs, etc. He just didn't want an event nightmare. He wanted to enjoy our son's birthday celebration. In the end, I'm glad I listened to him.

Kaye Garcia to the rescue! Kaye is my supermama friend. Three kids, multi-businesses, cooks & bakes very well, does floral arrangements and styles parties now. This woman can really achieve anything she sets her mind onto. So, fab that she owns Army Navy at the Fort because it meets all the requirements above PLUS I get to borrow all of the things needed to set up. Thank You, Kaye!

Check out some photos from the party...

Right after setting up, Kaye joins me for a photo <3 br="">

Yellow Submarine Vegan Chocolate cake by Pipino, Yellow Submarine Eclairs by Gourmandise Pattiserie

All in the little details: Homemade Calalmansi Juice for the kids, DIY Moustache on straws, Marshmallows on small yellow cups, pre-ordered cupcakes on display

The Beatles eclairs by Gourmandise Pattiserie, DIY Beatles invite, DIY Lootbags with Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band stickers

Keep Calm and Carry On Washi tape on wooden forks

My happy family :)

Happy Birthday,Santi!

A Samba-Zumba Baby Shower Party!

My yummymummy soul sister and super Sambista, Denise is 8 months pregnant. What do awesome friends do at this time - throw her a SURPRISE baby shower!

Captured in FLOW Boracay by Maika

Artist extraordinaire, Noelle Hilario gave the idea of using Samba/Brazil colors for the theme of the party. I suggested that we do a Zumba party so that everyone can have fun while working a sweat (always a good thing!) with everyone.

So the fabulous plan was to invite Dee to a (fake) prenatal yoga class at Beyond Yoga. I even got another preggy mum to help me make her believe there really was a free trail session by a new foreign teacher that we are trying out (Thanks for playing along, Pam!)! Dee was so excited about the hoax, that I didn't have to worry until we were ALL running late. I had to let her know to come 30 minutes later than scheduled because the "fake prenatal yoga teacher" isn't ready yet.

This was the chaos minutes before Denise arrived! Crafternoon at Beyond Yoga studio!

I asked guests to bring their own vegetarian snack for the party. Noelle brought the Green Tea cake and cupcakes from Pipino, I brought my own green olive tapenade and cheese, Clarisse brought her own white bean dip and crackers, Devaki brought puto and Joyce brought donuts- this came in late so it isn't in the photo. (did you know Dunkin Donuts in Powerplant Mall does not use eggs...so it's actually vegetarian but not vegan since they use milk)

Look at the color coordinated Vegetarian spread: White, Yellow and Green Hues!

Yes, it was a success! Denise was genuinely surprised and fell for our plan :)

Happy Dee in Brasil color.

I have to thank the early birds...or at least those who came early enough for the SURPRISE!

Event styling by Noelle Hilario

Here we go! Zumba partttyyyyy time!

Florence Fling sponsored a prize for best Zumba dancer! Pau, our super fun Zumba-star teacher awarded Toni Bernardo for her groovy moves - she didn't miss a single beat!

Look at the stylish dress Toni won for herself (errr for her special someone?)

Visit Florence Fling at Crossings Shangri-la, Trinoma, Glorietta 

Zumba after glow with the whole group who came to celebrate Denise and her baby-in-tummy. We don't know the gender yet, that's another SURPRISE!!! :)

For Zumba or Yoga party inquiries at Beyond Yoga, please email inquire@igobeyondyoga.com and cc monica@igobeyondyoga.com. For event styling inquiries, you may contact Noelle Hilario at noellehilario@gmail.com Let's make your party, baby shower, wedding shower, any special event healthy and fun!

DIY: Non-Dairy Chocolate Milk

Here's a quick DIY non-dairy chocolate drink recipe which you can make for yourself or your kids too!

Ingredients:
Freshly squeezed gata / coconut milk
Carob powder (from Healthy Options)
Cinnamon
Honey

Just mix the carob powder with the coconut milk and add honey and cinnamon. Yup, that simple. And it tastes GREAT!

You can use this for a chocolate smoothie, soak your chia seeds, or use in your raw vegan cereal made from mango, banana/saba and papaya :)