Top 5 Family Friendly Reasons Why Baguio is a MUST

Despite the long arduous travel it took our family to get to our final destination (total of 9 hours in the car hardly without any stops!), we found our refuge at home and enjoyed Baguio for the simple pleasures that this place brings. I'm quite sentimental because childhood holidays were always spent here. 

Here are my top 5 personal family-friendly reasons why Baguio is a must local destination in the Philippines.

Photo taken by my husband at John Hay

1. Pine Trees: Baguio is known as the "City of Pines". While many complain that forestry isn't as it used to be, we still enjoy the scent of pines around town especially in Camp John Hay. I certainly do not see this much trees in any park in Manila!

All this greenery just outside our Ninang Reggie's beautiful home.

2. Fashion: Admit it, we book trips to cold places just so we can wear clothing we don't normally do in Manila! Personally, I was thrilled to dress my baby girl each day during our vacation. And I honestly think babies are less fussy in cooler climates. 

Maya's Microfashion

Thank you to cutieverse for the baltic amber necklace and Lola Suzanne for Maya's top and socks

Thank you to Lola Amy for Maya's headpiece and Lola Suzanne for the outfit!

3. Outdoor activities: Many things are more pleasant in Baguio weather like walking, babywearing, picnic-ing and playing. Without the sweltering heat, we can just enjoy the outdoors longer!

Maya and I babywear using the Saya Baby carrier

My son tries out the slackline outside ROX in John Hay

Picnic on the spot after our morning walk around the village

My family is happy to do nature walks in this nippy weather

4. Mountain Views: Mountains are just marvelous to look at!

This is our breakfast view each day. 

5. Roasted marshmallows: A great family activity by the fire. Not only does the fire warm your bodies and soothes the soul, it also roasts your marshmallows for an after-dinner treat! It isn't healthy, but we break the rules, sometimes :)

Next time we'll do s'mores!

How was your holiday spent with your families? Share your favorite family destinations here!

"Why Did They Crucify Jesus, Mom?"

Last night, my son asked me yet another difficult question, "Why did they crucify Jesus, Mom?" Recently, my son's curiosity about the world has left me grappling for the right answers appropriate for his age. As a Waldorf parent, I understand that children need proper filters for them to appreciate the answers right for their consciousness. So, I asked help from the Waldorf community on how to answer appropriately and here's a very enlightening approach from Susan Quimpo, an Art Therapist and former Waldorf parent :

When my youngest was about 7 or 8, she asked me what Communism was! My answer was: Give me time to think about this. I decided I shouldn't "intellectualize" the topic but at the same time I wanted to give her an honest answer and acknowledge (and encourage!) a budding interest in history. So the best way I could think of (also the Waldorf way) was to treat it like a story, though very simplified of course. I told her a very simplified story of the struggle over land, the Hukbalahap and post World War II Philippines as a backdrop for the rise of communism. It became an animated discussion specially when I was able to include little stories about her grandparents and the War, what Manila looked like, etc. It became less of a discussion on Communism, but the story of three generations of Filipinos from 1935 to martial law.
So for Jesus' crucifixion -- I would choose the story of the Roman Empire, how the king (Caesar) became so greedy for power that he wanted more and more kingdoms to lord over. Link Caesar's greed to the story of the Epiphany, the Three Wise men who decided not to tell Herod (an ally of Caesar) where the Baby Jesus was because the Roman soldiers were killing all infants then because of the prophecy that a baby then born would one day be King, thus threatening Caesar's reign. So when Jesus grew up and became a leader and a healer -- Ceasar and Herod were once again threatened. Thus, Jesus was put to death in a manner used by the soldiers to scare other people who were a threat to Caesar.
Let's leave the spiritual side of the story for later. At this point your son would understand a story that had to do with kings, soldiers, greed and selfishness. Highlight the story of the innocent baby being recognized by the Wise Men and Angels as a King, not just of men but of a singing host of Angels as well. Juxtaposed with an insecure Caesar with all his wealth and soldiers afraid of a baby. In short, less of the gore of the crucifixion and more the magical story of Wise Men from the East following a star.

I shall prepare a story for Santi tonight! 

How I Spent My Silent New Year

As posted on my Instagram feed, I had a "Silent New Year". Being a parent of two children, one very small and the other quite sensitive to his senses, my husband and I opted to skip the usual festivities and fireworks. We headed home after dinner out with family and did preparations for the upcoming countdown. I nursed my baby, read a story to my 7-year old, said our prayers and then did a few more extras on top of the usual bedtime routine. You can call these the new Manzano family traditions to be done annually :)

1. We don't usually turn the air-condition on because I prefer negative ions coming in from the fresh air outside but since we were expecting pollution coming in through the windows from the fireworks, we sealed our room shut and turned on the AC!
2. My husband prepared the ipod and speakers to play soothing music so the baby doesn't get startled from the noise outside.
3. I used Lavender and Geranium pure essential oils to act as an air purifier and help set the lulling mood for deep sleep. You may get your pure essential oils online from Mountain Rose Herbs.
4. I fixed a space for my prosperity candles and lit them at 11:30 pm. I intended to blow them when the clock struck 12 midnight but Maya cried wanting to nurse right before 12 so I had to breastfeed her til after a few minutes past 12, so I continued to blow them out around 12:18 instead. 

There is something about the element of FIRE that strikes wonder and excitement not just for children but for me, an adult as well. Fire symbolizes transformation. I've been lighting candles for Shabbat, Chanukkah, Advent and now this.

In Hinduism, Kali is the Mother Goddess associated with destruction and fire. She is a powerful diety because the aftermath of her wrath is always....renewal and regeneration.

The next morning, I laid out the prosperity candles according to height. On the directions of the prosperity candles given to me, it says that the shortest candle will represent the greatest blessing that the new year will bring followed by the rest in succession. While I am uncertain if this would be true or not, I do like participating in these rituals because they signify transitions in time that help me flow.

Here's what the each of the colors mean:

ORANGE: Brightness

BLUE: Peace

GREEN: Money

VIOLET: Material Wealth

PINK: Love / Health

RED: Life

YELLOW: Good Spirit

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How did you spend your New Year? Any special traditions from your family? Please share!

For those interested, the prosperity candles were from RSJ candles which you can buy in National Bookstores.

Waldorf Education: And Why Is That? Part 2

For those of you that missed the first workshop, Susan Quimpo is offering a second run! You MUST attend if you are a parent or want to be someday. Even if you never intend to have children, this stuff is phenomenal to learn for self-healing and more!

...AND WHY IS THAT???

The simple act of drawing a circle and trying form drawing meant for Grade 1 students can relieve the early signs of trauma -- why is that?

When my child misbehaves, his teacher checks him with a "pedagogical" story -- why is that?

When my child and his teacher draws, people have no facial features, and there is an emphasis on painterly versus solid line drawings -- why is that?

Educational videos, even those from National Geographic, are not used in Waldorf schools -- why is that?

The Waldorf teachers wear violet on Mondays, red on Tuesdays, yellow on Wednesdays... why is that? Kolisko Waldorf School presents...

...AND WHY IS THAT???

The simple act of drawing a circle and trying form drawing meant for Grade 1 students can relieve the early signs of trauma -- why is that?

When my child misbehaves, his teacher checks him with a "pedagogical" story -- why is that?

When my child and his teacher draws, people have no facial features, and there is an emphasis on painterly versus solid line drawings -- why is that?

Educational videos, even those from National Geographic, are not used in Waldorf schools -- why is that?

The Waldorf teachers wear violet on Mondays, red on Tuesdays, yellow on Wednesdays... why is that?

Learn, like your child, through experience.  Join a two-day workshop with Waldorf parent and art therapist Susan F. Quimpo  and experience the answers to the above questions.  Through discussions and simple art exercises, learn by doing and understand the "whys" behind the Waldorf curriculum.  Participants with or without (even better!) any art background are welcome.

Open to teachers, parents and adult friends 

Maximum number of participants: 20

Please bring crayons, colored pencils, Soft Pastels (Mungyo brand, box of 12), 1-inch masking tape, painting board (if you have one), ruler.  Paper will be made available at cost during the workshop.  Bring lunch and snacks.

WORKSHOP DATES:  December 19-20, 2014 (Friday-Saturday)

TIME: Promptly at 9:30am through 3:30pm

ENERGY EXCHANGE:

P150/day - for KWS teachers and staff  

P300/day for KWS parents 

P450/day for guests

WORKSHOP VENUE:  I-House, 161 Judge Juan Luna St, SFDM

Directions: From West Ave. turn into Baler St (a Shell gas station is at the corner).  Stay on Baler St. & count 4 streets on your right. Make a right on Judge Juan Luna St. Look for Judge Juan Luna High School - across the school gate is an open gate with the numbers 161-old/81 new.  Go in and follow the dirt road.  Turn into the driveway of the first old brown/white wooden house on your right.

Due to limited parking, participants are encouraged to meet at KWS and carpool to workshop venue which is a few blocks away from the school.

TO REGISTER: Call or text Merci Silangan at KWS (landline) 921-3974 or Mobile 0917.403.6483.

* Susan F Quimpo holds a post graduate diploma in Anthroposophic Arts for Health Training given by Hibernia College in co-operation with the Medical Section at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.  Using the Waldorf curriculum, she has provided trauma relief work for Yolanda victims, facilitated therapeutic art workshops in prisons, civil society groups, schools and youth groups.

Healthy Recipe: Coco Chia

We've been cooped up at home because of Typhoon Ruby and my daughter has teething fever so rest and sleep is what we've been doing. When I have extra time, I try to create something with my hands, in the kitchen or crafts for the holidays. (because it's therapeutic!)

Here's something refreshing and healthy to drink. It's really easy to make, too! I highly recommend it to nursing mothers and those who exercise a lot because we lose water and essential minerals whenever we sweat. The main ingredient of this drink is COCONUTS, rich in vitamins, nutirents and electrolytes. I must have said it here before, that I chose to be born in the Philippines because we have an abundance of coconuts - which is my favorite health drink!

Time to make the COCO CHIA drink :)

Ingredients: 

Coconut juice

Young coconut meat

Pre-soacked Chia seeds (at least 30 minutes in water)

Natural sweetener like Tobee's Apiary (optional)

Directions: If you want it real easy, just blend coconut meat, coconut water/juice and then mix in presoaked chia seeds. I choose to add pure honey because it tastes better with a little sweetener. Expect your husband and kids to finish it before you can even take a sip! If you want a shake version of this, you may add nutmilk and ice but I prefer having my drinks without ice.

Want to know more nutritional benefits to this simple drink? Mercola says coconut water is --

• Rich in natural vitamins (especially the B vitamins), minerals, and trace elements (including zinc, selenium, iodine, sulfur, and manganese). Vitamins are necessary for the enzymatic reactions your cells need in order to function.
• Full of amino acids, organic acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
• Rich source of electrolytes and natural salts, especially potassium and magnesium.
• Light, low-calorie and nearly fat-free, as well as low in sugar but pleasantly sweet—contains about a fifth of the sugar of other fruit juices, like apple or grape juice, as well as containing a little fiber to moderate absorption.
• Rich in cytokinins, or plant hormones, which have anti-aging, anti-cancer, and anti-thrombolytic effects in humans.

Go to your local market and stock up on fresh coconuts (buko) it ony costs 20-30 Philippine pesos per piece (.50 cents!). 

Tobee's Apiary honey is unprocessed and unheated. Available at Backyard Farms www.bakyardfarmsph.wordpress.com