PIT STOP AT SBARRO

I’m always on the run and I try to keep a well-knit schedule. I’m sure you will agree with this practice if you are also a working mom like me. With so many things to do at home and at work, one of the things that I would stop for is a great dinner to refuel my growling tummy.

I am not rich but I have my little luxuries (you have to have these ladies I tell you!) one of which is that I do not scrimp on food. And for me, if I go hungry after such a hectic day, I will not go the food court or the office cafeteria and will pick a nice stop to mull the day over and indulge in a great reasonably priced meal.

Where to go? Sbarro! I have my personal favourites from their big menu but decided to order rice (yeah, sorry for my carbo-loading hehe).

You should all try their Chicken Rice Php 64 per serving –with nice veggies as crunchy red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, beans, peas and small chicken slices.

I had rice with a serving of Eggplant Parmigiana Php 80 – with layers of healthy grilled eggplant, mozzarella cheese and smothered with Italian tomato sauce…Yummy!!! By the way you can also ask for other sauces as creamy white sauce or the Sbarro meat sauce.

Of course I need a drink, and so I asked for a tall glass of Raspberry Iced Tea Php 41

I’m big on condiments (apologies to the chef hehe) so wherever I go I will always add sauces or herbs that I think will match whatever it is I’m about to eat. And for my meal, I put garlic powder and heaps of parmesan cheese!

Meet my Sbarro Pit Stop Crew- Chicken Rice, Eggplant Parmigiana and Raspberry Iced Tea all for Php 185! The perfect combo before I head home J 

Sbarro has branches in most SM, Ayala and Robinsons malls. For a complete list of locations or other information, visit http://www.sbarro.com/ or check their facebook page Sbarro Philippines Facebook

SAY GOODBYE TO MOSQUITOES WITH HUMAN NATURE

I don’t know about you, but if there is one insect that I hate most, that would be the pesky mosquito. Aside from the irritating buzz it does as it makes its way to you, mosquitoes will always ring the dengue alarm for a mom like me.

Now that the rainy season is back, mosquitoes are too especially if you live in a location with a lot of pots and plants as I do. I always stock up on insect repellent- my son is a mosquito magnet you see and I’m not at all happy about it. The other day, hubby sent me an SMS to remind me that we’re almost out of the bug spray. So off I went after work and scouted for the remedy.

I recently discovered Human Nature-from the SESOU store where you can find all-natural products from skincare to powder detergents. The claim is that they use natural and organic ingredients- meaning the products are100% free of chemicals which is comforting to know. I already tried both Giga and Human Nature insect sprays but I seem to like the Human Nature brand better. Let me tell you why.

1. Comes in oil-like form so it sticks to the skin longer than its water-based counter parts.

It’s best to apply 1-2 pumps per arm/leg and spread evenly -voila! No more oil!

2. Light scent of Citronella

3. No Harmful chemicals to harm the skin- no cancer-causing parabens, mineral oil, DEET (most-used chemical in mosquito repellents)

4. Uses natural ingredients as Citronella oil (plant that’s repels insects with its natural properties), Virgin Coconut Oil, Vitamin E and essential oils from rosemary, lemongrass and lavender

Human Nature Citronella Bug Spray retails in 100ml bottle at Php 140 each

I bought another product with the bug spray as seen in the photo below which I will write about in a few…

For now, I will be singing “Shoo fly err..mosquito don’t bother me…” J

Bravo for Gelatissimo!

When working moms agree to meet you have to have these:

1. Tons of stories to tell (home woes, fashion trends, must buys, gossip about everything, kiddie milestones etc.) and

2. A good venue to stage the stories above (yes I said stage- you know how theatrical girls can be!)

My kumares and I have been planning a date for the longest time but just cannot find the time. Friend number 1 was trapped at home with her M.I.L. (mother-in-law) for three long months (nightmare believe me!), Friend number 2 is busy doing photography, household business and enrollment and moi- yep, me, myself and I have been working and trying to keep my day job going, do other sidelines, keeping up with my growing handsome boy and trying my best to keep this blog alive ;) I promised myself to walk the talk and finally write what I really want to write about hence this blog. Okay, so where was I?! Oh the chika date with my girlfriends! So finally, we meet the other night - Friend number 1 is finally free! The M.I.L. went back to the U.S. and got her maid back and we decided to celebrate! We met at Gelatissimo (Trinoma branch) and had a blast!

The interiors are fab for late night gossip! The walls are red, the couches are big with soft red cushions as well plus dainty chandeliers and golden frames were around to highlight corners. We settled down and went to the BIG gelato counters- what a sight to behold!

I did not know where to start so I asked "Which one is your bestseller?" and I was asked back "Ma'am do you want sweet or fruity?" Hmmn, that did not help. I ended up tasting the flavors (free-taste until you choose the best! neat huh?) Love, love, love- mango passionfruit, chocolate, almond and white chocolate but nothing compared to KIWI -sweet and sour good :) I ordered a cup with a bottle of water Php 120.

And on and on we went --laughing out loud, raving, ranting and telling stories that made our tummies ache. I love going out with the girls and I am sure you do too!

Next time I'll share how mid-class working moms spend their R&R and getting the most of it! 

Visit Gelatissimo at Greenbelt 5, Trinoma and Serendra. Check their link for more info http://www.gelatissimo.com.ph/index.html

Light Bulb at Cafe Mary Grace

Have you ever been desperate for an idea to just click and make a spark in your brain? That was how I felt yesterday --too darn excited and too many images running in my infested brain that it refuses to function normally.

I so wanted to write my first blog entry and the frustration gave me a major writer's block- lucky gal eh?! Anyway, I decided to sit down and get some grub (yeah, food always keep me going hehe!). But where to go? Hmmnn, coffee? 3rd cup of the day nope, pizza? too heavy, walk some more...Ooohhh, Cafe Mary Grace!

I opted to sit outside the main cafe and chose a cozy spot- I love their vintage chairs which reminds me of the old kitchens in the province. A waiter gave me a menu and I instantly ordered their Mary Grace Hot Chocolate Php 92 and their grilled ensaymada Php 73. I patiently waited for my choco combo and watched people as they pass by (yep, I love lookin at people -I'm watchin you haha!). The waiter came back with a cute orange cup and the ensaymada.

First sip, careful with the hot liquid. And then, light bulb! This is what I am going to write about! The chocoloate is so freakin goooood ladies and gents, I just had to close my eyes. It's so creamy, dark chocolate my fave- bitter-sweet in taste and just right that I finished the cup with much regret.

The ensaymada is just as nice- soft, not too sweet, warm and with a hint of saltiness as I think they use queso de bola instead of the normal cheddar. Hmmmnn so good.

What a good way to end a toxic day at work and such a luxurious break before I send myself home refreshed and ready to give my little boy a tackle :-) Next time, I'll be back and indulge myself with 2 cups haha shameful me :-) By the way, I grabbed some goodies for my hubby and son too- cheese rolls Php 35 each and Food for the gods Php 90 per box of 4.

Visit Mary Grace Cafe at Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, Serendra, Robinson's Place Manila, Rockwell Business Center (beside Medical City), and Eastwood Mall.

Welcome to My Blog!

Hooray! Finally, a blog of my own! It feels like I'm given my own space, my own bedroom where I can do almost everything! woot! woot! Today marks the special occasion of Mid-class Missus' coming out - do welcome me as I welcome you to my world :)