MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan

Family Dinner at The Old Spaghetti House

August 8, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 2 Comments

We are a family of big eaters. Seriously, you would be surprised at how much food we can consume as a group, specially when we eat out. A while back (yes, this is another delayed post), we had dinner out as a family at The Old Spaghetti House in Festival Mall Alabang, upon request of my dad. I don’t know why, but he just loves their spaghetti and meatballs. Personally, I think it’s quite bland. But anyway, since dinner was on dad, of course we went where he wanted to go.

Spaghetti and meatballs, our reason for eating at TOSH

I love when restaurants have nice kid menus because that generally means that my son will be in a good mood and we won’t have to rush through our meal because he wants to leave already to go someplace else. Like many places that have pizza as part of their children’s selection, TOSH has a make-your-own option. We always go for this whenever available because Little MrC really enjoys prepping his own food like a big boy.

TOSH2-1 — Make-your-own-pizza ingredients

Let me give you an idea of just how much we eat as a family hehe. So, my dad had an order of pasta, and my son finished his pizza. MrC and I split a pasta dish and a salad, plus I had a bowl of soup.

TOSH2-13 — Cannelloni stuffed with three kinds of mushrooms and cream cheese, baked with homemade marinara sauce

Now, I need to be honest and tell you that I did not enjoy what I ordered. The clam chowder tasted like cream of mushroom soup. I ordered this because I was craving for the chowder at S&R. The Caesar salad looked and tasted like it had fake bacon and lots of mustard in the dressing. Again, I was thinking about the Caesar in CPK when I ordered this. Are my expectations too high? And finally, the pasta just wasn’t very tasty. This was part of their premium menu, and I’m not sure if this is still available.

Okay, on to the dishes that people actually did enjoy. My brother ordered a bunch of appetizers for everyone. We had buffalo chicken tenders, and two orders each of mozzarella sticks and fried onion rings. All were yummy. All were wiped out too haha!

TOSH2-7 — Onion rings with ranch dressing

TOSH2-6 — Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce

TOSH2-11 — Buffalo chicken tenders. The only thing missing was bleu cheese dressing.

I’m not done yet! My mom and my brother each had a pasta dish, and my sister ordered a main course.

TOSH2-10 — Blackened fish fillet with mango salsa and cilantro rice

TOSH2-9 — Chicken cordon bleu in white sauce with mushroom and bacon

Isn’t that a lot of food for 6 adults and one kid? Well, guess what? We still had room for dessert. We ordered two dessert items to share, but we only ended up eating one of them because my sister pulled out a very long strand of hair when she took a piece out of one of the dishes. That would have been the first bite, and we’re just glad that she pulled up that hair strand right away and not when we were already halfway through the dish. Gross.

TOSH2-15 — The colossal chocolate chip cookie ala mode which we returned, uneaten

TOSH2-16 — Golden Oreo cookie ala mode. Obviously they got to this before my camera did.

Since that epic meal, we haven’t yet gone back to The Old Spaghetti House. I think it’s only a matter time, though, before my dad gets reminded of his “favorite” spaghetti and meatballs, and we’ll either call them for delivery or head on out to the restaurant for another giant family meal.

The Old Spaghetti House
2/L Bridgeway Entrance (Near Shopwise) Festival Supermall, Alabang
+632 850-9959
http://www.theoldspaghettihouse.com/
#/TheOldSpaghettiHouse

Human Nature Paranaque Store Reopening

August 5, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 10 Comments

A few weeks ago, I was invited to the branch reopening and blessing of the Human Nature store in Santana Grove, Sucat along with some of my favorite mom bloggers. I was ever so excited to be there because my sensitive skin and I absolutely love Human Nature!

Having to deal with rashes on a regular basis is no fun at all. Trust me, I’ve been red and splotchy constantly since I was 11. I used to think that imported hypoallergenic products were the solution. When I discovered that they weren’t, I shifted to baby products. The thing is, I am not a baby, and so I didn’t think that these products were doing a good enough job of keeping me clean and fresh, specially when I started commuting to school and to work. And then I discovered Human Nature at the Cuenca Christmas Bazaar a couple of years ago, and the rest is history. I use their shampoo and conditioner, facial wash and moisturizer, deodorant, insect repellent and even their eye shadow.

I drove myself to the store on the day of the event, and so I ended up getting there late. That’s what happens when you’re a slow driver who is extra slow with parking. So I basically missed the whole blessing, but I made it just in time to reach the welcome message of Human Nature founder and Gawad Kalinga President, Anna Meloto-Wilk. She spoke about how Human Nature started and eventually grew to become an organization that provides business opportunities and the promise of a better future for so many Filipinos.

Ms Anna Meloto-Wilk — Ms Anna. She’s pretty, no?

There were several performances that day from members of the Human Nature and Gawad Kalinga Community, a few volunteers, and some of the children that GK has helped. It’s great to know how big of a difference this organization really makes in the lives of so many people in our country.

Exciting performances that day. I don't have a photo of the last band that played! — Exciting performances that day. I don’t have a photo of the last band that played!

The Paranaque Branch Operator, Atty Dulce Punzalan, shared a short message after all of the performances. I think I should also mention that this stellar lady actually performed herself! She was part of the belly dancing group, and she also sang a few numbers with her band. Talk about being multi-talented! I love the story she shared about her humble beginnings and how her dad worked hard to be able to give their family a good life. She obviously takes after her father in that you can really feel the spirit of sharing and giving back in her. She is truly inspiring!

The simple but super fun and energetic program was hosted by Human Nature’s Marketing Director, Melou dela Cruz. Towards the end of the program Mark and Jolina Escueta, and Angeli Bayani were given recognition for their contributions in nation building as artists. The program ended with the entire group, us included, dancing the Human Nature Dance. I think it’s cute that direct selling companies have special rah-rah dances. It really puts everyone in high spirits.

I’m really glad I got to go to this event, and I’m super duper happy to know that the branch in Sucat is there anytime I need to stock up on my Human Nature stash. One thing I saw they sold at the store that I’m sure will excite a lot of people are these yummy Theo and Philo artisan chocolates.

I can’t wait to visit the store again soon and shop til I drop! Check them out if you’re in the area. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with their stuff too.

Human Nature Philippines
http://humanheartnature.com
#/humanheartnature
#/HumanNaturePhil

Road Trip to Villa Escudero

August 4, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 3 Comments

One of the fun things about planning my sister-in-law’s wedding is getting to go on family road trips for the planning and prenup sessions. Their wedding will take place in Villa Escudero, a place that brings back many happy memories from when I was younger. One of my favorite trips there was with the whole of my dad’s side of the family when my grandmother was still alive. Here’s a photo of my cousins and I with our Lola on that trip, many years and several pounds ago.

lol2 — This was in 2003 or 2004, I think.

Lunching at La Creperie

August 2, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, I paid for my slot for Dainty Mom‘s upcoming Write On Workshop, the third in the series. I realized this morning that I have yet to post about the first two workshops, which of course I attended. The only evidence on my blog that I was actually at those workshops are my completed “homework” – this post that tells the story of my hopes, dreams and fears as a mother, and my about page, which I can now proudly say exists.

I love the Write On Workshop Series, and that’s why I keep coming back. There are three very compelling things about these workshops that I know all the attendees look forward to. First, and most obvious, is the learning experience. I don’t think anyone who’s ever joined one of these can honestly say that they did not gain anything from the session. I know for a fact that I am a better blogger because of all that I learned from Martine and my classmates. I’ll be sharing these learning points in a few days, I promise! Just need to get my thoughts and my notes together.

Second is the networking opportunity with other moms who blog. Through my involvement in these workshops, as well as the Manila Workshops projects, I have made so many wonderful new friends. What I love most about these ladies is that we are all on the same boat! Regardless of age, background, what city we live in, we all can relate to each other, we help each other out, and we encourage, uplift and inspire each other every day. It’s a great circle of friends to have and a great community to belong to. Through these workshops, we get the chance to meet regularly, and it’s always fun.

The third reason is the food. I remember Martine saying once that writers need good food and good coffee to function. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Obviously our workshops are always held in a place that has both. Happy tummies make for happy writers!

I was extra excited about the restaurant where we had our second Write On class, La Creperie in San Juan. Whenever the boys and I go anywhere outside of Alabang, I try to look for a place we can eat that doesn’t exist in the south so that we can try something new. We totally jumped at the chance to try La Creperie because all of their branches are north of Makati, an area I call the far north. Lol.

Breakfast at The Manila Hotel

August 1, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

Kukuruku! Umaga na! Good morning! What did you have for breakfast? Eggs benedict? At si Umberto ba ang nag-serve?

-Jennifer Cortez as Suzanne Reyes, Temptation Island (1980)

I actually had Eggs Benedict for breakfast at the Manila Hotel last week with a friend . It wasn’t served by Umberto though. Lol. We were there for a shoot, and since we had a long morning ahead of us, we decided to eat before getting to work. Breakfast was on her that day, and I’m really grateful for the treat because the food was on the expensive side, and not quite worth the price in my honest opinion.

Coffee. Always a must at breakfast time.

Baon Plan # 5 Plus a Recipe for Lazy Pizza Grilled Cheese

July 31, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 12 Comments

Woohoo for a whole successful month of packing recess and lunch for my son! We move on to month two now, and I’m pleased to say that this early morning cooking task is easier to do and feels more natural now. I love it, I am making progress!

I found out from my son that some of his classmates pack hotdogs and spam with rice for lunch. One of his classmates even has McDonalds almost every day! I now feel so proud of myself for really making an effort to prepare freshly cooked healthy meals for my little boy each and every day. I’m also super proud of MrC for stepping in for me on days when I couldn’t be in the kitchen, like during Week 4 when I was sick. Teamwork and cooperation is key!

So, here’s what we prepared on Week 5.

MONDAY
Breakfast: Crumpy sandwich -(Crumpy is one of our fave sandwich spreads! Yum!)
Recess: Pomelo (Dad’s pasalubong straight from Davao.)
Lunch: Baked pork ribs (Leftover from dinner prepared by Lola.)