Working Mom Magazine's All About Kids Bazaar 2014 Happening on August 9!

This August 9, Working Mom Magazine is bringing moms and kids a fun and magical shopping experience like no other as it launches the All About Kids Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent.

All About Kids Bazaar will offer that perfect dose of family fun, with big, big discounts to boot. Apart from games and demos for all kids to enjoy with their families, parents can dig into all their favorite kiddie brands as they go on sale.

Apart from all these, the All About Kids Bazaar, which will be hosted by Jackie Lou Blanco, will have an arts and crafts booth, magic shows, bubble tricks, balloon twisters, and other amazing performances. Even a mom and kid pampering booth will be set up to give moms on the go that perfect chance to slow down with their loved ones. Apart from all these, kids will get the unique chance of meeting two of their favorite cartoon characters, Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star!

This year’s All About Kids Bazaar will also be where Working Mom will hold an online photo promo. To join, simply visit and like Working Mom’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/workingmom.magazine), take a photo during the event, and tag Working Mom with the hashtags #workingmommagand #allaboutkids. Special gifts will be given to selected photos.

All this and more will be happening on August 9 at the Rockwell Tent from 11:00am to 7:00pm. To enter, each family must simply present a copy of Working Mom’s latest August issue, which is available at leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.

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5 Quick Homemade Spreads by Tina Diaz on Working Mom Magazine June 2014

Ross loves cheese on his sandwiches but sometimes he is complaining, "'Ma, sawa na ako sa cheese. Wala bang ibang choice?" I would stare at him and say, "Parang ikaw naman yata ang may gusto lagi ng cheese." Then he will reply, "Oo nga ano, sige na nga po, cheese na lang!"

My eyes popped when I saw the article "5 Quick Homemade Spreads" by Tina Diaz on Working Mom Magazine June 2014 issue. The ingredients of the said homemade spreads cater to kids. Para maiba naman. Ross will love these for sure.

Recipe development, kitchen-testing, and styling by Tina Diaz; Photography by Paolo Valenzuela

If you're not able to grab a copy of WM June 2014 issue, here are the recipes! Mommies, tell me your feedback after trying, ha?!

 
Peanut Butter and Banana Choco Chip

1/2 cup cramy or chunky peanut butter/spread

1 banana, lakatan variety, coarsely mashed

1/4 cup mini or regular size semi-sweet chocolate chips   

Ham and Apple Spread

1/2 bar cream cheese, softened

3 slices cooked ham, diced

1 Gala apple (small size), diced, skin on

Chicken Pesto Spread

1/2 bar cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp plain yogurt

2 tbsp bottled pesto

1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped

Cheesy Salsa Spread

1/2 cup cheese spread

2 tbsp bottled mild salsa

1/2 tsp taco seasoning

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Ham Spread

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp barbecue seasoning

4 slices chicken ham, diced

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, diced or grated   








  

By the way, Working Mom Magazine July 2014 issue is already available in your favorite magazine stands and bookstores nationwide. It's all about getting healthy. Suzi and  Paolo Abrera are on the cover. Grab your copy now, Mommies! Like the previous issues, you'll learn so many things from cover to cover. What is nice about WM is even the ads have useful and inspiring articles.

Great news is it has a FREE Barbie Magazine! You'll get to read Working Mom while your little girls read, play, and draw with Barbie Magazine! You'll get both at the price of one. Isn't it a sweet deal? 

 

Courtesy: Working Mom Magazine and Barbie Magazine Philippines

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How "The Undo List by Alu Aluzan-Aran" Changed Me

I was rigid and perfectionist before I read the article "The Undo List by Alu Aluzan-Aran" (pp.84-85) on Working Mom Magazine November 2013 issue. My friends would tease me and say that I was the ultimate OC (Obsessive Compulsive) of all. The article turned me around. It changed the way I looked into my routines as a mom who pushes myself to the limits because I want everything get covered by the dot. If the routines changed and the schedule wasn't followed, I would end up grumpy the whole day.

I also remembered the time when I was still teaching. I would carry with me a small notebook where my so called "Things to Do" list  was written. My co-teacher, Mrs. Tin-Tin Alcala would tell me, "O, ano? Magagawa mo ba lahat ng nakasulat diyan?" ("Hey, what? Can you do all the things written there?") I would just shrug my shoulders and laugh about it. At the end of the day, I would miss three to four activities. I was too hard on myself then. I would feel bad if something was missed. Then I would include those missed activities on my next day routines. The same pattern would happen over and over until I got burned out.

I didn't learn from that experience. I still did the same thing when my first child was born. I would still sit down and write all the things that I had to do for the day. Hubby would tell me, "Ma, you have to be flexible. You are not a machine. You have to admit that you get tired and you need to rest. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're a great mom! Remember that."

As years passed, I learned to be a little flexible. But the eagerness of becoming a SUPER MOM continued.

After reading the article, I realized these:

1 There's nothing wrong if I pause for a while and give time for myself.

 "Thirty minutes can change your day."

 

Honestly, I would feel guilty when I stop doing my motherly duties. I would feel like stealing time from my family.

Yes, it's true. We, moms, should have a daily me-time or appointment with ourselves that could be anytime between 30 minutes to two hours. It's time to maybe take a nap, do some crafting, read a chapter or two of our favorite novel, exercise, take a leisurely bath, meditate, or do something that we really like. 

2 I should lessen my expectations and do what is best at the moment.

 "There are seasons which will impact over time and can be confusing." 

Like me, I have less me-time due to the demands of my very young children. It's not possible at the moment for me to review, take the Nursing Licensure Exams, and start a nursing career. 

I learned to accept it and believed that it would pass and I would have my time someday.

3 I must know my priorities.

Following a "To Do List" drove me crazy in the past. It controlled me. It made me unable to focus on what was more important. I was physically at home taking care of everything but I was mentally absent, worrying about the future. I was hurrying  to have a career outside our home, to grow professionally, not considering the fact that my kids still needed me. I wasn't contented of having a small business while taking care of my family.

When my kids got sick, I appreciated my being WAHM. They should be my topmost priority.

4  It's okay to slow down. 

I love multitasking. It could make me finish all my daily tasks. But is this necessary all the time?

"It is important to be firm and single-minded when it comes to taking care of our personal needs, and using the time to do only the chores and tasks that matter to us and our family. Everything else is secondary."

HAPPY & CALM MOM = HAPPY & CALM FAMILY

Now I am more relaxed, contented, and happy with my spontaneous life as a mom. I don't care if I'm not able to finish everything in a day. After all, there's another day to look forward to. I just take a deep breath, smile, and say, "I know what matters most. Everything's gonna be okay." 

  

     

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Working Mom Magazine's Banana Pops Recipe

Reading Working Mom Magazine June 2014 taught me so many things on how to beat morning madness due to opening of classes. My most favorite, because I'm bad in menu planning, are "Your Stress-Free Baon Guide" and "Grab-on-the-go School Packs" (seen on pages 99 to 104). 

Here's the first recipe that I tried making yesterday. It was a hit! 

Ingredients

(as seen on WM June 2014)

3 big bananas, Lakatan variety

1 cup creamy peanut butter

mini chocolate chips

chopped pretzels

candy sprinkles

chopped nuts

popsicle sticks   

Procedure

(as seen on WM June 2014)

 

1. Slice each banana in thirds. Insert a popsicle stick into each slice. Chill while preparing the peanut butter. 

2. Place peanut butter in a cup and warm in the microwave for 0 to 15 seconds, just until texture can be easily stirred.

3. Dip a banana pop in the warm peanut butter to cover the entire banana.

4. With a knife, scrape off excess peanut butter then roll in choice toppings.

5. Set banana pop in paper cup; do the same with the rest of the bananas then freeze for 15 munutes before keeping in the ref. Serve cold.

My Version 

I don't have a microwave oven so I placed the peanut butter on a porcelain bowl and dip it on hot water. Then I set it aside.    

 

I followed STEP 1. Since the bananas that I had were small, I cut them into half. I used 5 Lakatan bananas. I ran out of popsicle sticks and used hard drinking straws instead. I opted not to use barbecue sticks to avoid poking accidents.

After placing the prepared bananas inside the freezer, I stirred the peanut butter until it melted. I did STEPS 3 and 4. I used chocolate and rainbow candy sprinkles as toppings because they were the only ones available in my pantry. Then I followed STEP 5.

Tada! My finished products... It took me only less than 30 minutes to prepare these!

For more quick homemade spreads, school lunches, after-school snacks, and grab-and-go school pack ideas, grab a copy of Working Mom Magazine June 2014!

You may click THIS to know the other highlights of this issue. 

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Working Mom Magazine June 2014 Gets Moms Ready for School

Working Mom Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Dedet Reyes-Panabi described WM June issue on the editor's note as helping to create "Calmer mornings, exciting nights". Yes, it is. There is no reason for us, moms, to get stressed over the opening of classes. WM is here to the rescue!

Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan talk about how they handle a big household, their secrets to happy married life, and successful kids. This couple is very inspiring as always.

Product suggestions that can make us look great amidst our very demanding and busy schedule are worth trying .

Dressing up during the rainy season can be comfortable and stylish even if we are commuting.

Nice and water-proof shoes can make our kids dance and splash in the rain.
 

There are lots of helpful tips on how we can beat up a chaotic day.

New healthy and yummy recipes for kids' baon can be prepared in minutes. By just looking at the photos, surely they are so scrumptious!

Bonding time with our kids during rainy weekends can be fun and exciting with these creativity kits. I'm so glad to see Mommy Ginger's Memory Crafters Box get featured.

We can make our hubbies happy by giving them perfect gifts this Father's Month.

Making nights more exciting can make them happier though. Wink...Wink...

There's more to admire for these hot celebrity dads as featured for Father's Day celebration.

Useful tips about relationships, money matters, and parenting like how to raise kids who love learning and ace Filipino, how to have an open parent-child relationship, and more are in store for us this month!

Don't miss the chance of grabbing your own copy. You'll enjoy it too. It's worth your money, promise! 

For more Working Mom Magazine updates, you may go to these websites:

https://www.facebook.com/WorkingMom.Magazine

http://twitter.com/workingmommag

http://instagram.com/workingmommag

 

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