PERSONAL NARRATIVES, MOMMY TIPS, AND THRILLING DISCOVERIES TO MAKE DAILY LIFE THE HAPPIEST
There may be many reasons we do and say things, but one thing is sure. We, humans, seek our gain from our decisions. Some opted to work because they want to get paid and have the money to buy their wants. Others push for their passion because it drives them to fulfillment. Thus, most of the peoples’ actions are self-interested.
Mindoro is considered one of the biggest islands in the Philippines. It is only a couple of hours away from the Port of Batangas. More than the mystical Mount Halcon, the province gained popularity for its several tourist spots such as Lisap River, Tangisan Falls, Kuta 16th Century Shrine, and Tagpuan sa Garden. The place is also famous for its long stretch of white beaches in Puerto Galera. The real gem of Oriental Mindoro, though, is the enchanting place of Bongabong.
Bongabong is known for its vast farmlands surrounded by mountain ranges and home to 80,000 residents. About 15,000 are Mangyans, the indigenous people of Mindoro Island. They usually depend on fishing as well as on farming as their primary source of income. Bongabong is the only certified biggest organic rice farm in the country.
Recently, we learned of a friend who is suffering from mental illness. Her father allegedly harassed her that even her mother didn’t do anything about it. That episode in her life must have caused mental stress. Statistics say that in the Philippines, rape happens every 72 minutes, and at least one in 20 women aged 15 to 49 experienced sexual violence. From these Filipinas, half of them took no action. And that is one sad reality.
Christmas is just a few weeks from now; have you already planned your Noche Buena?
We recently attended the Paskong Sarangani Bay appreciation gathering organized by the company for their blogger partners. So thankful that we made time for it as we learned delicious holiday recipe ideas using Saranggani Bay Prime Bangus products. Among these recipes were Bangus Sisig, Holiday Crostini with Smoked Fish Pate, and Spicy Sardines Pasta using MIO (Milkfish in Oil).
The recipes presented give a healthier take to any Noche Buena celebration. We plan to prepare these dishes on the eve of December 24, too. For the past years, we weren’t too conscious of serving healthy meals as we want everyone to enjoy good food and drinks. But we’ve realized that eating healthy doesn’t mean having bland food for the holidays. On the other hand, it shows that we are becoming conscious of our unhealthy lifestyle and are now trying to welcome all the nutrients our body needs.
One night, I woke up feeling cold. I checked if the husband opened the air conditioning unit as the temperature was so unbearable. It turned out the cold temperature was coming from the outside. Husband installed an exhaust fan in our room wherein it pulls air from the outside. Thus, the cold air from the outside is what enters our room. And again, the temperature was so unbearable. Indeed, the Christmas season is coming.
And speaking of Christmas, for most Pinoys, Christmas season is the perfect time to host dinner get-togethers or attend family reunions and catch up with loved ones. And it is in family gatherings that we bring our specialty. Nothing beats making our loved ones feel extra special as we step up our cooking game by adding homemade showstoppers to the table.
Let me tell you something about my mom.
My mother grew up in the province. She is the youngest of eight children of a farmer and a housewife. While her older brothers and sisters help their father on the farm, she is left at home to assist my grandmother in different household chores. At a young age, she already knows how to wash and iron clothes, scrub the floor, and cook food.
They don’t have a luxurious life in the province. What they lack in clothes and material things, they are abundant in food. After all, they have a vast farm with all kinds of fruits and vegetables. They also have different types of animals, from chicken to pig, horse, and goat.
My mother would tell me she used to milk their goat first thing in the morning, and they would share a pitcher of fresh goat milk on breakfast. And in each sip, they know all the nutrients the milk gives them. Yes, my mom and her siblings grew up drinking goat’s milk.
This parent believes that if we want our youngsters to soar, we need to let them explore the sky. Allow them to discover what is comfortable and not, fail if they may, and learn from the consequences of their actions. Because it is only through that experience will they learn to bounce back.
Same with discovering their gifts, let them choose what interest them. If possible, support their talents and hone them through practice and mentorship.
There comes a stage in a toddler’s life when he becomes an incredibly picky eater. Our two-year-old SumoSam can be one, and he can surprisingly survive with just breastmilk, lots of juice and water, and rice in a day. Yes, he prefers to eat rice without any viand. And he knows when I secretly put even a tiny piece of beef under the rice. He would hand over to me the meat as he continues to chew his rice.
Do you have picky eaters at home, too? Make their mealtime less of a struggle but more enjoyable and healthier with these fail-proof tips. It’s never too late to start to develop better eating habits.
Time flies quickly. As every year passes, the months and days seem to be streaking by at warp speed. Imagine our Firstborn who can’t even complete a sentence at five-year-old is now a 17-yo honors high school student. His four other brothers are growing fast, too. And this unstoppable march of time turns our little ones into gentlemen with each day bringing discoveries, challenges, and growth.
Since we can’t stop time from ticking, might as well make every moment count. And one helpful way to make memories is a feast around the dining table – something my boys can look back in 10 to 20 years and think fondly of the meals and stories we’ve shared.
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. Buddha
It’s true. Peace of mind is something too aloof because we keep on hating others for their achievement while we forget or belittle our successes. As it is human nature to compare ourselves with others, this act, however, makes us come up short.
Envy makes many of us wish for something that others else have. And the sad part is, we can’t seem to be truly happy for them. This leads us to hate these people. But what we don’t realize is that this sensation is ruining our life.
I admit there were episodes in my life that I envy others of their achievements. But as there are many ways to get stuck in a cycle of envy, there are also several ways to deal with bitterness and eventually lead us to true happiness.