15 Things to Give Up to Be Happy - a Repost

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ― Dalai Lama 

Hi y'all! Allow me to share this article I chanced upon on the web... Because we all need a good knock on the head at times just to be reminded that happiness is a decision. I myself found this timely and made me do a good amount of introspection.

May this week be productive for us dear readers. Live. Laugh. Love!

Hey you pretty momma!

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. - Buddha

Photo from the web

There were quite a few times when people would tell me I don't look like a mom after finding out I'm raising a three-year old daughter alone. Quite honestly I don't know how to react because initially, statements like this is supposed to be a compliment but on the other hand, there lies the preconceived notion that mothers are expected to look a certain way. To elaborate, it means you have to let go of yourself because once you give birth you are to fit the motherhood mold. It is the sad truth that the moment we take ourselves for granted, we are also killing little by little our self esteem. 

Celebrating all supermoms - Mommapalooza Davao 2013

The month of May is already here and of course, May is synonymous to Mother's Day. Here's an event for you all hard-working mommies!

Ina-Tay is very excited to celebrate being a mom along with other mothers on Sunday, May 12 for the Mommapalooza 2013 at Fuente de Villa Abrille Clubhouse, Tulip Drive, Matina, Davao City. And before I give you the many reasons why you should be here, Mommapalooza is spearheaded by Carve in partnership with Lifecasting Philippines for the benefit of Ezra Renewal Ministries' work with teenage moms. Talk about having fun while being part of a very worthy and timely cause! It is a first and we should all be proud that they are staging it here in Davao!

The day-long Mommapalooza 2013 is filled with fun events not only for you super momma but for your kids as well. These are some of the activities lined up on that day:

Practice-makes-perfect Banana Loaf

I love to bake. I didn't have formal training but I started early courtesy of my Auntie Binky. My earliest baking memories were of me greasing her baking pans when I was seven years old. Until now I'm still using some of her pans that she left with me when she got married.

The recipe for the perfect banana loaf seem to have eluded me. The ones I tried before were either to dense, too heavy or just didn't sit perfectly on my taste buds. I kept experimenting and just last week, I FINALLY baked what for me is the perfect banana bread recipe. 

The recipe is actually for banana cake but most people bake this in loaf pans and they come out like breads hence the name. But it was moist, with just the right sweetness and it didn't use butter or milk so less calories for the figure conscious. It was also not a fussy recipe so even beginners will find the directions very easy to follow. With much pride and joy, I'm sharing with you my practice makes perfect banana loaf recipe. 

The how-to for child support

Disclaimer: This post should not be taken as an expert's opinion. I'm not a lawyer but I reckon someone out there may be asking Google about the matter, as my friend and fellow blogger Raine said (she's happily married  by the way). Let's just say I've been in your shoes before and want to share my experience hoping that I can help someone out there in my blogger's way of writing a how-to post. Please excuse the occasional expletives. Spare me too your pontifications, I have enough of that. 

If you are going through this right now or know someone who needs someone who has "been there been that" (hahaha), please send me an email at inatayblog@gmail.com. I can be a friend and can recommend a good lawyer for your child support battle.

- o0o -

Before we start, allow me to be blunt about this and state the obvious - it will not only be a financial battle but more importantly, an emotional one. Wounds, whether fresh or old, will be opened, you will have to recall everything that transpired and you have to be pretty resolute about seeking support from your former husband, boyfriend, partner, sperm donor and whatever you call him. It is inevitable that you will face this man, who has not only left you with a broken heart but also in a financial rut. This will be a painful ordeal but remember, you are doing this for your child/children because they are entitled to it, it is their right and you have to do something on their behalf.

Image: www.childsupport.alberta.ca

Beware: ATM scams - it's REAL!

Just last week, I read in a national broadsheet warning the public to be careful and vigilant in using automated teller machines (ATM) after a new scam was discovered. I don't think this is a "new" scam since every other year or so, scammers always seem to make a comeback. They just let the issue dissipate and the moment banks and depositors let their guards down, boom! Anyway, it still involves the same modus of "skimming" or capturing an ATM card's number, personal identification number (PIN) and other important information using a specialized scanner. The captured data is then used to make a duplicate card which the scammers use to make withdrawals, without the knowledge of the depositor of course. This scam also victimizes credit card owners.  The cause for the warning is a recent case of ATM fraud in UAE. 

Image from the web

Teach me how to MAKI

Last night, I attended Tokyo Tokyo's exclusive food tasting invitation at their newest and first branch outside Luzon at SM Lanang Premier. Read my post here.

One of the highlights, aside from the eating part, was a demonstration on how to make Maki, yes, the ever-popular California Maki. Tokyo Tokyo chef Eric called for two volunteers from the group as his apprentices. Bloggers Suzette and Algene got to try first hand under the clear instructions of sensei Eric. I would have wanted to volunteer also but it meant not having the chance to take pictures. When you are a blogger picture picture is a must! So here are the shots I took with some of the instructions from last night's instant cooking class!

1. Wash your hands and wear disposable gloves. Like any other food, preparing Maki entails a lot of handling so be safe.

Face care 101 (when you're 30 and up)

The famous designer Coco Chanel once said "Nature gives you the face you have at 20; it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50." It means how you would look now totally depends on you. As we age, our skin specifically on the face loses it's ability to retain moisture. This results to a dry, lifeless, wrinkled and older-looking face. Who wants to be told "you look young for a 40 year old" when your real age is just 35!

Repost: Happy Even After

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