Shrimp with Tomato Sauce

I love cooking. Lately I've been trying to think of new stuff to cook especially for dinner when everyone is present. The other day, I was able to buy some shrimp. Usually, what we would do with it is cook it with tamarind and stew it. But I thought why not whip something differently.

I don't know what to call this recipe but its two main ingredients are the shrimp and the tomato sauce, thus the title Shrimp with tomato sauce. I never tried this before! But quite honestly, it turned out very delicious!!

I hope it looks delectable. I honestly love the color. The shrimp is bright orange, the sauce red-orange and my veggie green. It even feels like Christmas! The taste? I added some curry for a lil kick, so it is a tiny bit spicy but still kid friendly and my kids loved it!! It is sweet also as the shrimp was fresh and fresh shrimp means sweet broth/sauce! Plus a tiny bit sourness from the tomato paste. Just so right.

Ingredients: (I was never really a fan of measuring, I eyeballed all measurements! What I did was just put a tiny bit first then If i need more flavor, i add more)


1/2 kilo of shrimp (as I eyeballed it...) medium size, but i guess this would also be great for prawns
tomato sauce - 400ml
tbsp. of curry
kamote tops (i put lots of it for the kids, for them to get to eat healthy stuff)
onions
garlic
oil
tbsp of worsterchire sauce 
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
2 tbsp of cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 cup water
1/2 - 1 cup of water

Procedure:

1.  Heat pan. Heat oil
2. Suatee garlic, onions till transparent in color
3. Then add the shrimp. If it is orange in color, add the tomato sauce.
4. Add the water, a bit at a time, just see if you want it super saucy or not :)
5. If it is simmering, add a tbsp. of curry and you can start seasoning it if you like. I season it this point now, adding the pinch of salt, worsterchire sauce and pepper.. if you want more kick probably you can add more curry powder and pepper. But if you have kids like me, I have to control it as they might not eat it! :)
6. When it is starting to boil, you may turn the heat down and add the cornstarch mixture then mix it immediately so as not to form lumps! Taste it, if it is up to you liking, then you may now add the kamote tops.

Enjoy! :)

Ponds Facial Foam, Scrub and Ponds Moisturizer

I am fairly a no fuss kind of a person. I do not even spend more than 200 in a beauty product! But there are still essentials that I need to keep in my kit ;) These products I have been using for more than a year now, or two if my memory serves me right.

So I will be giving a bit of a review for three products. :) Pond's White Beauty Detox Lotion, Pond's Clear Balance Oil Control Skin Mattifying Facial Foam with Mineral Clay and Pond's Clear Balance No Blackheads Deep Cleansing Facial Scrub with Volcanic Clay. 

Long names!! :D

Ok, first off. Pond's White Beauty Detox Lotion

I would like to apologize as the picture is not upright! ugh and I am at lost as why. It was looking at the right direction on my phone! :(

Product Description: Pond's White Beauty Detox lightens and fades dark spots and acne marks while nourishing and lightening skin from the inside out. 

How to use: Use every morning after cleansing your skin. Smooth lotion over entire face, use fingertips. 

Verdict: I am loving it. Before I used to use Pond's facial cream,but I still keep getting dry areas around my nose! It really bugged me as it was itchy and my skin cracks and peels around that area. When I found out about this Detox Lotion, I tried it and I am loving it. The skin around my nose doesn't crack, chap or itch anymore! Plus I love it's consistency. It is not creamy like thick paste, it is just right. It's consistency is like Olay's moisturize which I also used before but that was hard to find here. 

See? Sorry the picture isn't that clear. My husband's cam isn't available. The consistency is just right. You can easily spread it around. Just like water. As for it being a Detox Lotion, I am not entirely sure what that is. lol. But I love it's effect on my face. So I guess you should try it out too. Plus it doesn't make my face oily as well.

Next is Pond's Clear Balance Oil Control Skin Mattifying Facial Foam with Mineral Clay

Again, the picture is not in the right direction lol.

Product Description: Pond's introduces its advanced Skin Mattifying Facial Foam, with the power of unique mineral clay. Unearthed in its pure form, Mineral Clay is known to be highly absorbent. New Pond's Oil Control effectively sponges up excess oil, dirt and make-up without overdrying skin. With regular use, skin feels instantly clean, refreshed and balanced, with a matte finish look you dream of!

How to use:Wet your face, foam the cleanser, apply to face with gentle massage, and then rinse off.

Verdict: The feel of the foam feels great on the face. A bit cool and it do exfoliate also as it has little beads in it.

I am not sure if you can see the beads, but that is the facial wash, it's color is actually light blue, with light beads. After using it a couple of times. I expect it to help my face, as I tend to have little pimples. I am not much of an acne person Thank God. But I do have these small pimples that itch, I don't know why. But they aren't that visible but they itch a lot. So I looked for a product that can help me minimize or totally remove it. After using this product, sad to say it didn't help. The itching went on, plus my skin was dry. Yes it solved the oily part but the area around my nose, it got worse. The skin there chapped, itched and peeled. It was hell. Probably it will go well on other types of skin. But not mine. So the facial foam is still here and unused. I might give it to someone who wants to try it.


Third, Pond's Clear Balance No Blackheads Deep Cleansing Facial Scrub with Volcanic Clay

Still not in the right direction lol.

Product Description: Pond's introduces its advanced Deep Cleansing Facial Scrub, with the power of unique volcanic clay. Extracted from the depths of the earth. Volcanic Clay is known to be highly absorbent and acts as a powerful magnet. New Pond's No Blacheads draws out oil and dirt from deep within skin and with the soft but hard-working beads, helps exfoliate dead skin cells that clog pores to prevent the appearance of blackheads. Skin is deeply and effectively cleansed to look smooth and magnetically beautiful. Up to the Epidermis Layer!

How to use: Wet your face, foam the cleanser, apply to face with gentle massage and then rinse off.

Since it is from Volcanic Clay, the color is actually light brown :D

Verdict: This is the one for me. I am loving it. Even though I know that facial scrubs should only used twice a week (i am not sure) I am using it everyday. It helps especially around my problems areas. My face doesn't itch anymore, those little pimples around my forehead is gone! I am highly recommending this for you to try! :)

Xylogel

Yesterday was our follow up appointment at the pediatrician. Things went well since my son is recovering quite well. Though I am not happy with his weight since he lost quite some. When he was admitted, his weight went down to 13 kgs.! During the follow up check up, it was 13.9 kgs. I am not sure if I should be happy about the increase of weight but somehow I am thankful he is better.

By the end of the visit, the pediatrician advised us to avoid cold foods for him like ice cream and drinks with lots of ice since he was diagnosed with tonsillitis as well as urinary tract infection. The doctor also advised us to use Xylogel for the kids. I am not aware what Xylogel is. But I followed his advise and bought one for my kids.

Thus, I am making a review for it as well. :)

Xylogel is a Natural Teething Oral Gel with 5% Xylitol. I honestly, don't know what Xylitol, good thing the box also contains information about Xylitol! :)

Xylitol is a natural plant sugar substitute (so it's natural!) that prevent dental caries. It inhibits the growth of caries producing "streptococcus mutans". It also has natural soothing effect.

And I don't know what strepto is...so I asked for Mr. Google's help and Ms. Wikipedia says...

Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive organism that is the primary causative agent in the formation of dental cavities in humans.Gram-positive bacteria are those that are stained dark-blue or violet by Gram staining. This is based on the physical properties of their cell walls, as opposed to gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain. Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. S. mutans, a member of the human oral flora, is widely recognized as the main etiological agent of dental cavities.

Pretty much that is a bookish answer :D Plus our pediatrician said that using Xylogel aside from preventing tooth decay, the bacteria it prevents from growing will also not go to my son's tonsils thus causing tonsillitis!

Active Ingredient: Xylitol 5% (as explained above)

Ingredients: Purified water, Glycerin, Xylitol, Sodium Carboxymethycellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Acesulfame and Bubblegum Flavor.

Flavor: Bubble Gum (my kids are loving it!)

Safety: The United States Code of Federal Regulations has certified that naturally occurring Xylitol may be safely used in foods. (so it is definitely safe!)

Directions: Apply a small amount of Xylogel on your clean fingertip, cotton bud and apply Xylogel on the gums and teeth after feedings particularly at bedtime in babies who drink milk to put them to sleep. To enhance  the cooling effect, place the squeeze tube container in the refrigerator (not freezer compartment!)

May also be used by adults! :) nice!

This is the product inside the box :)

Verdict:

So far, we are loving it. My kids find it fun using it. I actually do not apply it directly on their teeth since they are already big. What I do (as what our pediatrician said) I put a small amount of Xylogel in their toothbrushes, then also put their toothpaste. So it's part toothpaste and part Xylogel when they brush their teeth :) 

I would continue using it, if it means healthier kids! :D 

I would also recommend it for moms with toddlers who are starting to grow their teeth. It might help sooth the discomfort during teething time. 

I am just so sad I forgot the price. Really. But from my estimate, it was just around 100 pesos. So affordable and worth it. 

Reasons Why I Hate When My Kids Get Sick

Last Saturday, my son complained about his head ache. I felt it and I know he does have a fever. The usual "protocol" would be to get his temperature, at that time it was at 38.5, not yet that alarming. I took his usual fever medication, Tempra 250mg, and yes I memorized every medication my kids have. By the following morning, Sunday, he was up and about again. 

He even played with his siblings, by afternoon, me and hubby went out for awhile and got home by 5 in the afternoon. When we arrived home, we found our little Jhon in bed again and complaining of headache and feeling hot. The nanny as instructed put a cold,damp towel on his forehead. I took his temperature again and it registered at 39 Celsius and gave him Tempra again. After 30 minutes, I know it should subside, my husband was doing "sponge bath" on him and it still didn't help. So after an hour, he vomited and was complaining of a stomach pain! So I know we had to take him to the emergency rooms. 

On our way there, I couldn't help but think how many times have we did this, I mean given 3 kids, it's countless already. Adding more to the frenzy, the ER was packed with people. And in the end, the attending physician had to advice confinement to monitor my son properly. It's like one of those nightmares again, I really hate hospitals and I really hate it when one my kids gets confined. 

Thus, I am sharing you my reasons as to why. 

1. Needles. Injections. For some reason I hate just even looking at them. I know this stems from my own fear, but it's just something I cannot tolerate just even looking. But boy, I found out my son was a whole lot braver than me! When the nurse took his hand for IV insertion, he gave it without a fuss and just uttered a simple "ouch"! And I could remember me, crying like a baby when I got hospitalized last March. Shame shame. lol.

2. Skin tests. Have you ever tried one of those? IT WAS SHEER TORTURE! I mean why do they have to do that? Can't they find another way of doing that? They would like insert the injection on the upper surface level of your skin and inject it there. Imagine how many nerve ending we have there!! The pain was unbearable! I was like literally crying for me son. He was brave during the IV insertion but he was so crying during the skin test! And my heart broke when I saw him crying.

3. Home sickness. Yes, they get home sickness when confined in the hospital. My son kept saying he wants to go home and yes, the endless explanation of not yet time doesn't stop.

4. Them looking pale and weak goes straight to your heart. I could remember being a teen and not caring at all. Now I can't do that. When he was there lying in bed, looking tired and pale, it went straight to my heart and I can't help but crying. It is indeed different when you're a mom.

5. The expenses. Honestly speaking this one is also hard. Lucky for us, we got some fund saved for emergencies such as this. Plus we have Philhealth and Medical Insurance. It did helped a lot. And I am thinking of a higher medical insurance plan that would be useful in the future, not that I want my kids to get sick but it helps a lot when you are ready and have buffer.

6. No Laughter. The first two days at the hospital, we barely hear him laugh. Of all my three kids, he was the one who would be always up and running and laughing and screaming with joy. But during those two days, we barely get to hear it and that was what I missed the most too. So now I am not taking it for granted at all.

But after some medications, the color was back in his cheeks, the smile was like sunshine on a rainy day :) In fact my husband end up taking lots of pictures at the hospital, I just forgot to copy them. :D But I have one here when he was still sick. I will be sharing the other pictures later on a different post. 

Not perfect at all.

If there is one word to describe my first trimester it would be hell. I know, I know it does sound harsh. But honestly! I don't mean to scare anyone who wants to get pregnant as it is different for everyone else. And I can say it is different for me too.

This is actually going to be my fourth baby. Before I rant and also rave on this fourth one. Let me show you my other 3 little angel monsters. :D

The eldest would be Jazel, 9 witty smart years old. The next one would be Juanzen computer addict at the moment 6 years old (another topic on that!)and the youngest as of now (until I give birth) would be be Jhon Javen hurricane 3 years old. Oh yes hurricane, you guys should see my house if I let him lose.

So yes, I am on my fourth now. I found out last month, I was feeling weird - nauseous, lazy and tired. I thought it was just the flu but when I woke up one morning last month feeling a bitter (very bitter) taste in my mouth. I know I am in for another one! From my first to this fourth one (and this will be the last! I hope) I always have this bitter taste in my mouth. For some reasons, this is the biggest "symptom" that I know I am pregnant. That taste of bitterness was just there. It won't go away unless I eat something sweet or something else to cover that taste. But what makes it soooo bad was it goes back after I eat something.

This is actually a new blog for me, I thought of dedicating one for my kids, life as a mommy and why not do the first post on pregnancy? So bare with me if I am incoherent. Blame it to my hormones right now which I really cannot understand.

Not perfect at all. Yes. I know there are a lot of women out there, praying, wishing they would get pregnant and I really pray for them too as I know couple of friends who wants to get pregnant. They all get excited about it and says it would be sooo perfect. When I hear them talk about it, I would just rather keep quiet as I might dampen their mood.

For me it is not perfect at all.

Why? Number 1. That bitter taste I described from my words above. If there is something I am so particular about it would be my mouth. I don't like tasting anything in my mouth. On a regular day, I would just want that minty taste of toothpaste in my mouth. But now? Even the minty taste of toothpaste can't mask the taste of bitterness. I tried looking for the reasons online on why I am having this, I can't seem to find any. So there, I am blaming it again on hormones.

Number 2. That feeling of me getting fat (again) is just horrible. But I am trying to do this mind thing that after 9 months, I can shed it off but I know not immediately because I know I am just kidding myself if I say I can lose it immediately as I am not the type of person who loves exercise, instead I love food.

Number 3. In relation to number 2, I know I don't look like pregnant right now, Instead I look like someone who just ATE A LOT, someone who have loads of "bilbil" and I hate it. People would look and think I am such a big eater. I would rather have bring a big card that says "Hey! I am pregnant!" So I would rather have this fast forward to the last trimester where I know I would definitely look pregnant.

Number 4. Nothing fits me anymore. I know some of you would say, where are your previous pregnancy clothes? Like I have said, I thought I would never get pregnant again so I gave all of it. Yes, every one of them. All of my shirts that are in empire cut, yoga pants and all. So I am thankful right now I still have lose button down shirts and stretchable pants and jeggings. So I will definitely be buying some clothes by the following weeks.

Number 5. The cravings. I am not sure if this is bad or not. But more like NOT. I am loving it as my husband tends to buy my hearts desire right now, well food wise though. He was out last night and I told him I want to eat some cupcakes from Masters Bakery (A bakery here that sells quite cheap bakers cupcakes that is open for 24 hours) and he came home moments after with the cupcakes. lol. How I wish he stays that way even after I give birth. ;)

Number 6. The laundry. This one is on the good side too. I am not doing any of the laundry these days and I guess up to the next new months. Who is doing it? My husband. Hurrray! Well see, this is my fourth and he knows it can be fragile as what my OB said. So he is doing his share of the chores. and I am loving it. :D

Number 7. Chocolates. :( and other sweets. I know for a fact that I need to control my sugar intake as my baby inside might get diabetic so yes, as much as I love eating those sweets. I can't.

So there. It isn't perfect at all. And by Tuesday, I would be starting my second trimester. and I will definitely tell you more about it. I am quite excited as I want to know the gender of the baby. We are rooting for a baby girl and planning on naming her "Jhai". Why? I don't know. It was my husband's idea and it sounds cute. So I am up for it.

I would love to share a picture of its ultrasound but I totally forgot and was able to submit all of it for my SSS. Definitely a big help in times of maternity benefits.

:)