Marriage and Beyond

posted by Jennie on Oct 31

The hubby and I had our initiation on what Degustation dinner is over at A.I.C.A. (The Academy for International Culinary Arts) last Thursday, October 29. It couldn’t be more interesting —  her greatness, culinary legend chef herself, Ms. Nora Daza was there to grace the event.  It was a night, a full three hours of fun, learning, savyy dining experience and yumminess galore.

First off, what is degustation? Prior to last night, I had no clue what that was. We arrived pretty early at the venue, went to check the night’s schedule and got rather clueless when I saw that the night’s event is called degustation.  Okay, what does a blogger do during such times? Google it up. That’s what I did. Who can better define the word than Wikipedia.

Degustation is a culinary term meaning “a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods” and focusing on the gustatory system, the senses, high culinary art and good company. 

The French term dégustation is still commonly used in English-language contexts, even though a standard Anglicized spelling and pronunciation exist.

Modern dégustation probably comes from the French kitchens of the early 20th century and is different from earlier meals with many courses because these meals were served as full-sized meals at each course. Dégustation is more likely to involve sampling small portions of all of a chef’s signature dishes in one sitting. Usually consisting of eight or more courses, it may be accompanied by a matching wine degustation which complements each dish.

Sampling a selection of cheeses, at home or in a restaurant, may also be called a dégustation. Three to four varieties are normally chosen, generally including a semi-soft cheese, a goat’s cheese, and a blue cheese. The stronger varieties are normally tasted last. See the article “A Cheese Lover’s Tour of France” from The New York Times.

A dégustation is always held during the Japanese television show Iron Chef.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 31

Okay. So I have not exactly been doing the Fast Interval Training (F.I.T.) workout on a regular basis. Yes, it’s just four minutes, but you have to give it to me that I tried. The plank exercises just about killed my arms, even if it’s just 30 seconds each. I need a yoga mat! Seriously. The four minutes does not sound very long but the fragile me will get bruised from hitting the hard and cold floor every time.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 27

Boy, wouldn’t it be so neat to be married to a sports buff, then automatically be just like him!?  I do have a lot of good things in my life that I’m grateful for, but this, I have to get down to choosing for myself – that is, to be fit by working out on a regular basis.

the hubby in one of his games. Forgive the blurry shots, DSLR wasn’t yet available then.

teaching our lil 4yo guy to juggle.

Although I’m not exactly a couch potato, it does take huge effort to get me to my toes and actually workout. Plus, I have a long list of reasons up my sleeves why I cannot work out and they are all valid, mind you. I homeschool, work from home, cover events and keep house. How do I get all these things packed in a day? Go figure. But that was before The Dare to be Fit ‘N Right Bloggers Event held in MOA last October 23. Del Monte Fit ‘N Right couldn’t have chosen a better speaker than Master Coach Jim Saret. A sports scientist who obtained an MS Sports Science degree in Brigham Young University in the United States, introduced the Fast Intense Training (FIT) workout that will only take 4 minutes of my precious time per day. Now, however busy one can be, there is just no reason not to stay in shape anymore.

Doing the FIT workout is easy, it is basically just body weight lifting composed of crunches, push ups, squats and lunges.  It is so convenient that you can do it whenever, wherever.

the four celebrity assistants doing the four minute, higher intensity workout

Apparently, the treadmill isn’t good enough. I think it can be a little overrated, even. Aside from the hassle of having to squeeze it in my already loaded schedule, I don’t exactly fancy going to the gym. Our old treadmill rotted without being maximized, to begin with.  So the FIT, might just be the one workout that will make me stick to a regimen.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 27

As I mentioned in a review I have done of the most wonderful book, Fascinating Womanhood by Helen B. Andelin, I have read the softbound copy nearly thirty times. After acquiring an e-book copy several months back, I finally got myself to reading the Secrets of the Fascinating Womanhood and I am really thrilled how much more this is packed with very practical applications – as its primary focus, while the softbound book’s is more on the principles.

The first secret to the world of Fascinating Womanhood is ACCEPT HIM AS HE IS. This is something that I admit to having a hard time right from the moment my husband and I became a couple. Two individuals coming together from two different sets of family origin, with different values and upbringing, what should we expect, really. This is why a marriage really changes a person. You are taught to drop selfishness from the core of your being or suffer the consequences of holding on to it.

What does accepting really mean, anyway? Accepting your husband means NOT TRY TO CHANGE HIM. Accepting all his habits, weakness, dreams, or even lack of them, even his beliefs.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 25

We had our family sunday celebration at church today (SBC-Makati) and this is our family’s shot.

posted by Jennie on Oct 23

As our dear readers know, my son and I are now back homeschooling.  Our class was on hold for a good couple of weeks because of the storm. It was during the time that our class was on hold, did I appreciate seeing my son draw and spell words (according to letter sounds-phonics) on his MegaSketcher. The curriculum does not encourage pushing a student his age to write yet.  If at all, we trace the letters on air and focus more on getting the child learn about the letter sounds.  Jed has memorized the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag in less than a month from the time we started homeschooling last week of June and as second quarter came in more than a month ago, the Pledge to the Christian Flag and the Bible were introduced to our daily routine and he has now memorized both.

Pledge to the Christian Flag

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for Whose Kingdom it stands;

one Savior, crucified, risen and coming again

with life and liberty for all who believe.

Pledge to the Bible

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

I will make it a lamp unto my feet 

and a light unti my ath.

I will hide its words in my heart

that I might not sin against God.

posted by Jennie on Oct 23

Del Monte Fit ‘N Right continues its commitment in promoting a healthy lifestyle with the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run on November 22 at the Mall of Asia with over P300,000 cash and products at stake! Organized by CEMG and supported by the Manila Bulletin, Solar Sports and Lenovo, the 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open Run will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng through the SM Foundation.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 22

I cannot emphasize enough how the hubby has been wonderful through and through, especially during and after the storm that was. It meant a great deal that he spared me the sight of the storm’s aftermath. He had me come home a couple of days after. Although stench was still there, what I can only see from how it left the house was from the pictures. And I can only imagine how gruesome it would have been to see it in person.   You have to cut me some slack because I did have to go through weeks and weeks of cleaning up too, together with my trusty weekend girl who made herself available every single day since day one after the storm.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 21

Three weeks and some since typhoon Ondoy and we’re still picking up the pieces, so to speak. My son and I are back homeschooling. Some important documents, birth and marriage certificates, Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 20

Here is our 4 year old Jed reciting Psalm 100. It has been a while since he last recited the chapter and he has kind of forgotten some of the verses, which explains the “and thens” in betweens.

Psalm 100

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

posted by Jennie on Oct 20

We’re pretty much back to normal again after the storm. Aside from getting back to our homeschooling routine, I also got back to attending a few events and reviewing beauty products.

One beauty product that I recently did a review on is Photocyane, it is now live via my beauty blog and the review is not positive. What it is supposed to do is thicken hair locks, but it did just the opposite and worse.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 19

BEARHUGS FOR BAGUIO-The children in many of Baguio’s evacuation centers have been severely traumatized by the typhoon. Reports say that many of them stare blankly at walls, and have no appetite. A stuffed toy is a small thing, but for a child who has been through a nightmare such as the recent floods and typhoon, it can mean everything and help him or her, break out of that shell. Together with PINE, a Baguio NGO, a group of friends are trying to raise at least 500 bears or stuffed toys to send to Baguio’s children. If you would like to donate your old teddy bears or stuffedtoys, please email 10000bears@gmail.com or send a text message to 0917-529-1964 so you will be advised of drop-off point. Thank you very much!

posted by Jennie on Oct 18

Around this time of year in the years past, we were already prepping our home for the upcoming Christmas season, Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 18

After the “flood,” (terming it as “the flood” makes it sound a lot like the Old Testament, Noah and the Ark event), the hubby and I are pretty much surprised about the things in the house that survived. We have expected things to be practically useless. One item that I am pleased that has survived that flood was my 5 year old Goodsphere. It is a revolutionary air purifier/ionizer system. We bought it when we were prego with our son. We were still renting this basement apartment in Makati that has bad ventilation (read:basement). We left a few months after and transferred to another apartment. This air revitalizing system helps clean the air and you actually see for yourself how the water gets darker as it does its job. Before the flood, I replace the water and clean the basin once a week, but during the cleaning up from the flood, it has to be cleaned once a day!

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 16

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched its newest campaign, “Byaheng Pinoy with Apl,” in partnership with MTV Asia.  A refreshing take on promoting the country’s top destinations, the campaign is a product of a long-time collaboration between Apl.de.Ap, or Allan Pineda Lindo, of the Black Eyed Peas and Tourism Secretary Ace Durano. The campaign gave rise to several projects that utilize Apl.de.Ap and his music as a platform to showcase the country’s sites to the world.

Read the rest of this entry »