Have you seen a Pineapple this small?

I am not even sure what this plant or fruit is called but it does look very similar to a Pineapple.

The only difference is its size. This is totally a baby!

We visited a relative one time and as I look at her plants, I noticed this small Pineapple.

At first I thought it isn’t part of the plant and was just a decor but as I touched it, it made me realized its real.

I was amazed as I looked at it closely. It is indeed a Pineapple, I wanted to pick it! LOL!

Aunt Estel said this is a rare plant and it does produce this very small Pineapple fruit once in a while. Though she’s never tried picking and tasting the fruit, she knows for a fact that it is a Pineapple fruit.

Just as to share, I’ve found out that Pineapple canning companies doesn’t throw the core,  ends and skin of  the Pineapples they use because they use them too for making vinegar and animal feed.

Another fact is that just like this plant in the photo, each Pineapple plant only produces one fruit per year.

I remember to have craved for Pineapple juice when I was pregnant with my elder daughter and never had issues or problem with the labor… the fruit helped! I have read from somewhere that Pineapple fruit was traditionally use to induce labor. I know there are more strange facts about this wonder fruit, they’re just waiting to be discovered… or read.

We now have more than a dozen ice cream tubs since the start of the summer. This is my kids’ first choice on how to beat the heat this summer. Well, summer is almost over but it is not too late to share how delicious these ice cream flavors are from Selecta.

These two new ice cream flavors are included in Selecta Hershey’s collection and my choices. I have loved Rocky Road and Double Dutch ever since the first time I tasted the said flavors but just like any one, I too would like to go out of what I consider as “ice cream comfort zone” haha! I eagerly bought the Selecta Hershey’s Collection: Reese’s Peanut butter Cups and I tell you, it didn’t last 24 hour period. I so loved how it tasted. I get to feel refreshed having ice cream for dessert and at the same time enjoyed the sweet delectable peanut butter cups. Right there and then, I decided to grab another flavor from the Hershey’s Collection and had Hershey’s Kisses. My elder daughter enjoyed it more than I did maybe because I was expecting it to be as good as the Reese’s flavor. I somehow forgot that even if they’re both from Hershey’s, these two are totally different flavors. Just like the first tub from the collection, Hershey’s Kisses didn’t last for more than 3 days inside the freezer.

The next time we were at the supermarket, they didn’t have the Hershey’s collection so I opted to get the family’s all time favorite flavor instead: Selecta Very Rocky Road. Our summer was really something else, this year was amazingly hot but thanks to these cold desserts available in the market, we were somehow able to beat the heat!

Artful Vision is the best website where you can find unique handcrafted American made gifts. What’s unique about it, which also is the best part of it for me, the Artists, musicians and authors donate 20% of every sale to a participating worthy cause of your choice. Give a gift that keeps on giving.

Now that Mother’s Day is fast approaching, a lot of us are already preparing or looking for special MOM gifts. Artful Vision  has great gifts for Mother’s Day starting under $10. Another good news is, aside from being able to find artistic gifts for your Mom, you can also join in Artful Vision’s very first Facebook Mother’s Day contest.

Grand Prize

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

Contest Instructions:

Prize EligibilityOnly persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.Contest StartsApril 23, 2012 @ 03:00 pm (EDT)Contest EndsMay 10, 2012 @ 09:00 am (EDT)

So what are you waiting for? Pick the best Mom and child photo you have and join in the fun! Exciting and artistic prizes awaits you. Make this Mother’s Day the best for your Mom and yourself too. You can also visit Artful Vision via their Pinterest account HERE.

Happy Mother’s Day in advance!

 It is now up to you who you would like to be.

Another inspiring thought that is relevant or related to this is…

“Judging a person does not define 

who they are…

It defines who YOU are!”

Catholics observed the Lenten season last week. No meats, that is! As expected, prices of seafood and vegetables went up. For a budget conscious mom like me, “diskarte” is what I implemented! Ha ha!

I bought a can of Ligo sardines and a medium sized Chayote. I have 2 kids that needs to eat too so this is the idea that came to my mind last Good Friday. Very timely for the Holy Week. My 2 year old loves tomatoes and fish and my elder daughter likes to eat vegetables, Chayote in particular. Hubby and I can go with anything that is not pork that day.

I normally saute Chayote with Tuna flakes but I did something different with this dish. I boiled the Chayote slices over medium heat while sauteing the sardines with butter, onion slices and tomatoes. I just had to pour the sauted sardines on top of the half cooked Chayote and voila! Viant was served.

“Wow! I love the presentation Mommy!” and “It tasted good!” –  Those were the words my elder daughter told me after eating lunch. She never really liked sardines at all but was thrilled to see it was served over her favorite vegetable, Chayote.  Our Holy Week was filled with simple recipes and vegetable too. I actually can deal with that anytime, even if  it ain’t Holy Week at all. I am not just sure with hubby and the kids. LOL!

Yesterday’s The Walking Dead Season 2 finale became the talk of the town, err… world! It has been reported that season 2 finale shattered its own record TV ratings. This TV series has caught my attention as soon as I was able to see its first edition via online streaming. I became addicted ever since. I have to set aside the other TV series I have been watching to give way and catch up with The Walking Dead.

Season 2′s episode “Judge, Jury, Executioner” made me cry and I will really miss Dale. That episode made me wish for Shane (Jon Bernthal) to exit as well. His character became so annoying and unpredictable.

I felt like my wish was granted on the episode “Better Angels” where Shane has pushed Rick (Andrew Lincoln) to his limits. Best friends no more, Rick had to fight back in defense of his family and the rest of the group. Shane used their search for Randall (Michael Zegen) as a ploy to kill Rick but karma was digital (LOL! I am not expecting to use this here) – Shane’s plan backfired at him. Carl (Chandler Riggs) had to put Shane down as soon as the latter became a zombie and tried attacking Rick. That bullet has put an end to Shane’s character but caught the attention of zombies …tons of them, in fact.

These are screen captures I made from The Walking Dead Season 2 streaming I watched just for this post. In the next photo, you’ll see Rick talking to his son, Carl while a herd of zombies are far behind approaching them.

The Walking Dead season 2′s finale was bloody as almost everyone has expected. Zombies were everywhere…this has been the episode with real zombie action. Hershel’s barn was burned down to distract the walkers and for the group to be able to escape. Hershel (Scott Wilson) bravely faced the zombies and was rescued by Rick. Jimmy (James McCune) and Patricia (Jane McNeill) were killed by the zombies as they tried to escape with the group. Andrea (Laurie Holden) rescued Carol (Melissa McBride) which unfortunately also caused for her to be separated from the group.

It was also in this episode where everyone learned about what Dr. Jenner (Noah Emmerich) whispered to Rick at the CDC – that everyone is infected, that no matter how you die, you will eventually turn into a zombie. Rick’s statements and actions became a surprise to everyone, as they weren’t expecting a Rick to be a tough dictator. The appearance of the hooded character (Michonne in the comic series) as it saved Andrea from a zombie attack in the woods was one of the highlights of the season finale too. The mysterious character came out of nowhere armed with a sword and has two armless walkers chained to waist. Michonne (Danai Gurira) is said to play a big role in the upcoming Season 3 of this TV series. She’s even said to be a favorite character in comic series.

This image was shown to end up this season’s final episode.The Prison.

In this finale, a lot of questions arise.

Are you gonna miss Shane?

What do you think of Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) as she’s reacted negatively after Rick admitted to have killed his best friend, apparently her boyfriend (ex, since Shane’s dead already =P).

What will happen to Andrea and Michonne? Will the two build an alliance?

I think the most appropriate question is, what lies ahead of the group?

 

These questions will find its answers by fall as we welcome season 3. Without a doubt, season 2 is a winner.

 

What more exciting for kids than to see Barney in a show, live!

My elder daughter grew up loving Barney and it goes the same with the younger one. Their adoration of Barney can easily be seen with all the VCDs and DVDs we have at home.  It is from Barney they both learned the magic words, “Please” and “Thank You”. It was Barney and Mommy here of course who taught them the song “I Love You, You Love Me”. We have seen recorded Barney show in DVD format but not a live one yet. My elder daughter got to experience Disney On Ice show few years back and so as got the chance to see Dora The Explorer’s show at the Aliw Theater too. Now that there’s two of them, and both saw the ad for Barney Space Adventure show here in Manila, they both wanted to go! Having seen shows like this before, I already have an idea on how much a ticket would cost. I will definitely have to save up for me to get a ticket … I mean, tickets for the 3 of us. Minus the husband – knowing him, he’s not going to join us for sure. I have searched the net for the ticket cost and the details of the show itself as well. Here’s what I have got:

The show will be held at the ALIW Theater at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. The show will run from April 26 to April 29. If I will have to get 3 tickets for the “Price Zone 3″, I should prepare almost 5K. I still have enough time though and if this show will make my kids so happy, I will give it to them. I am sure that for these little kids, this is a once in a lifetime experience.

For more info, head on to TICKETWORLD.

I haven’t faced a full body mirror for sometime now but when I passed by a boutique with a wall mirror, I somehow felt dismayed. When I got home, I decided to really take a good look at myself in front of the mirror.  I was in disbelief that my skin looks older than they are. I look older than I am. To add, I bumped into a co-parent one time and after few minutes of talking to her, she exclaimed that she thought we are of the same age. But hey! I am in fact 7 years younger than her.

I have realized that stress and irresponsibility has a big cause in losing that “beauty”…that “glow”. As it has been said, age is just a number but if its seen in your skin, then it’s a problem! My skin has aged and even if I have a jar of anti-aging cream if I am not responsible enough to use it religiously, then nothing will really happen. Aside from the wrinkles and crow’s feet, there were tiny scars and pimples present. Not to mention the Black & White heads that anyone would want to squeeze out. I have browsed  for skin care products and tips on how to take care of it too and I came across TANDA and saw this:

We Filipinos all know the word “tanda”…that it means age or ageing. This is really an enlightenment for me. I have a really oily skin ever since and would always wash my face to get rid of the dirt and oil..see in that above image? It says there that there are 400 millions of bacteria in an oily skin! In my face! Innovations like these is really of great help, especially to moms like me. As we age, we really can’t help but feel and see it through the eyes or the skin. Products as such will help us not just take care of our skin but also improve our self confidence if not completely bring it back. And, now that it’s summer here, it is also best to drink plenty of water and apply skin care products that will protect us from the harmful effects of UV rays. Age is something unavoidable, the best way to deal with it is to live it – clean, tone, moisturize, exfoliate, exercise – keep it young & healthy!

Panerai replica is one of the Swiss watches from Panerai that is making sure to be classic and chic. The replicated watch is designed to look stunning with excellent features and designs. The Panerai face is bold and cannot be a challenge for those with bad sight making the reading of date and time very easy. When you see lovers of Panerai replicated watches especially Panerai, you would understand why the Panerai watch is considered a time piece of art. This model from Panerai is specially designed for time keep with its calendar technology that is taking care of time, day and year at the same time. The replicated Panerai watch is definitely answering to its name with the features of making time management easy for the owner. This replicated Panerai watch is the epitome of time keeping with high precision that is up to 1/ 100 per second.

Every good feature that Panerai has embedded in panerai replica has made the watch to be outstanding when it comes to feature, design and beauty. There are so many things fashion savvy would see in this particular watch and would not want to get another from Panerai. This is the reason why people are going for this replicated Panerai watch especially busy men and women who are trying to meet time and schedule day by day. There is only one watch that has been known to manage time effectively which is this Panerai watch.

Panerai replica is a watch that would add value to one’s life and also make gifts a wonderful thing to do when it comes to giving the watch out. When it comes to making sure that you are special and unique when it comes to making statement with watches, there is only replicated Panerai that is affordable and available.

Annebisyosa, No Other Concert was held very recently. It was a hit and I am not surprise. It was also just recently when Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga was questioned about her “strong opinions about off-key singers” and if she was referring to Anne Curtis. It was denied by Lea, said that Anne didn’t identify herself as a singer and just made her dream concert come true so she ( Lea Salonga ) can’t be angry at Anne. In fact, Lea Salonga said she’s happy for Anne has made her dream a reality.

I feel personally happy for Anne as well, everyone who attended the concert went home happy with a smile in their faces. I should have saved and watched it too. I believe with what Lea said, that she did not really diss Anne Curtis. Let us just be happy for them both. I even think Lea Salonga is referring to someone big time. Don’t you?