Simple Dalgona Coffee Recipe

This recipe became a trend on facebook and instagram so I made sure I try to make one.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons black coffee

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons hot water

1 glass of fresh milk

Ice cubes

Procedure:
1. In a bowl, mix the coffee, sugar, and hot water.
2. Beat the mixture continuously for 10 - 15 minutes or until it thickens.

3. Put the freshmilk in a glass with ice cubes.

4. Top it with the thick coffee mixture and sprinkle it with milo powder to add beauty.

There goes! Dalgona coffee! That simple.

Homemade Tuna Pie

While on enhanced community quarantine, I had the opportunity to learn a lot especially in the area of cooking.

Here is an easy recipe I got while scrolling through facebook posts.  This was shared a lot of times in facebook so I give credit to the owner of the recipe.

Ingredients are easy to find and the process of cooking is not too long.

Do try it. Taste good!

P.S.  I was too lazy to crush the skyflakes crumbs into super tiny bits hence the final result was not presentable.

Ingredients:
*1 can Century Tuna Hot & Spicy/Tuna Flakes in Oil drained
*Mayonnaise
*1 medium size onion
*Salt
*Cheese
*Sliced Bread
*2 pcs. eggs
*Breadcrumbs/crushed skyflakes cracker

Procedure:
1. Cut the onion into tiny bits.
2. Mix the drained tuna, already cut onion, and mayonnaise in a bowl, add a pinch of salt. Set aside.

3. Prepare your dough by getting pieces of sliced bread and cutting off the brown sides. Flatten each sliced bread.

 4. On the other half of the flattened bread, place a slice of cheese and a spoonful of the tuna mixture. Fold and seal the sides. Set Aside.

5. In another bowl, beat the two eggs and have it ready for the tuna dough.
6. Prepare the breadcrumbs or crushed skyflakes in a separate container.

 7. Dip the tuna dough in the egg mixture and place it on the breadcrumbs or crushed skyflakes.

 8. Deep fry in lowheat.

Here is the finished product:

Warning: It burns easily so if you want to achieve the golden brown look, do not leave it unattended.

Enjoy cooking! ❤❤❤

7th Month Pregnancy Struggles

Now that I am on my 7th month, my tummy is heavier and bigger. I can feel the baby's weight getting heavy day by day.

I can also feel its movements and kicks. It is normal that on the 7th month, going around and doing household chores are difficult.

Here are the things I am struggling with lately:

1. Braxton Hicks Contraction.  It is normal. It is a slight tightening of the abdomen. Sometimes I feel that my upper tummy tightens too. It usually happens during daytime especially when I do a lot of physical activities.

2. Constipation. This is a great struggle for me. On my first pregnancy, I didn't have a problem with constipation during pregnancy. Now, it is such a pain. Sometimes I go three days without disposing and it gives me such a bad day.

So what I do is I eat a lot of fiber such as fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are highly suggested. I lessen my carbo intake. I drink prune juice and lots of water.

3. Pain on my lower back.  This is expected because the uterus is growing.  What I feel is pain from my hips down to my legs.  It usually happens at night when I am going to sleep and it is hard to get up.

What I do is I put a mild oil liniment to ease the pain. It is not highly effective but it helps.  But, please be careful with what oil you use. Some pregnant women use hot or cold compress to relieve the pain.

4. Leg cramps. The last leg cramp that I had was too tight as though I felt my leg deformed.  No matter how much I tried to stretch my leg, it didn't go away. I asked help from my husband who was quick to massage the part of the leg that tigtened up.

Mostly the calves are the ones hit by the cramps, the best way to soothe it is to stretch the leg or to massage the part that has hardened.

5. I am always tired.  This is probably because the baby is heavy, the belly has grown and I don't get enough sleep at night.

What I do is I take a nap during daytime and try to get some minor exercise just to keep me going.

I don't put pressure on myself by trying to finish the household chores or try to beat my deadlines for work.

In sleeping, one tip I learn is that it is better to sleep on the side than to sleep flat on the back.

Other struggles I am going through right now are shortness of breath, controlling my food intake because I am always hungry, suppressing the craving for sweets and sodas, and this enhanced community quarantine due to the corona virus pandemic.

So far so good. Pregnancy is hard for me now that I am 39 years old. It could have been different if I was younger but who knows? Well, every pregnancy is a blessing and is something to be grateful for.

Pregnant on A Pandemic: 7th Month (Last Trimester)

I am now 7 months pregnant. On my last trimester of my second pregnancy.

I was supposed to document my pregnancy journey but because a lot of things happened, I never had the chance of doing it.

This month though is a big challenge. We are on a pandemic due to the Corona Virus outbreak or what is known as Covid-19 and what best way to remember this time is to write down my pregnancy experience on a pandemic.

Our city is on an enhanced community quarantine, something closer to a lockdown. We are all mandated to stay at home.  Although there is no evidence of pregnant women to be at a high risk of getting infected with the corona virus, pregnant women are still advised to stay at home because we have weak immune system.

Now that I am on my 7th month of pregnancy, I am a little bit worried because I haven't gone to my doctor for a pre-natal check-up. The last one I had was last month and I didn't go back on my scheduled date this month because of the enhanced community quarantine.

I am going through many different struggles this month and these are different from my first pregnancy. I didn't experience these things before and now I am a bit worried.

I'll talk more about my 7th month pregnancy struggles in my next post.

Well, as always, every pregnancy is a different experience. True enough.

Important Things To Know About Corona Virus for Pregnant, Expecting and Nursing Mothers

    COVID-19 or the novel corona virus rapidly spreads through respiratory droplets.  It can easily transfer when a person who has the virus coughs or sneezes. Another mode of transfer is when a person touches a surface containing the virus then touches their face specifically the mouth, the nose, and the eyes.

     Here are some important facts pregnant, expecting, and nursing women need to know:

There is no evidence that pregnant women are at a higher risk from Covid-19.

There have been researches made on the impact of corona virus to pregnant women, however there is a little information and no evidence that they are at a higher risk of getting infected.  

Pregnant women have low immune system therefore it is still important to take precautions.  They have to load up with Vitamin C and to continue taking in supplements or medications as advised by the Obgyne.  They have to be very mindful of possible symptoms such as runny nose, dry cough, fever, body pains or shortness of breath.  Should there be any symptoms, they are advised to be checked right away.

There is also no evidence that Covid-19 can be passed from a woman to her unborn child or to her newborn baby.

In some cases of pregnant or newly delivered women positive with COVID-19, there were no viruses found in samples of their amniotic fluid or breastmilk.  There were also no trace of vertical transfer from the mother to the child.  There were instances though when newly born were diagnosed positive of the virus but they were not linked to direct transmission from the mother.

It is not required that pregnant women suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 need to give birth by cesarean section.

The woman’s preference together with the Doctor’s advice will always be given preference. Another consideration would be the woman’s health condition.  Hence, it is not true that a pregnant woman suspected or confirmed with corona virus need to give birth by cesarean section.

Mothers with COVID-19 can continue to breastfeed their babies.

As there is no evidence of any trace of virus in the breast milk, a mother can continue to breastfeed her baby but has to practice proper respiratory hygiene such as washing hands before and after touching the baby, by wearing a mask while breastfeeding, and making sure that the clothes she is wearing is clean.  It is also highly recommended that the room and the surrounding areas be disinfected and sanitized regularly.

    Pregnant or expecting mothers, are advised to stay home and may only go to the doctor when necessary.  Since pre-natal visits are also important, it is highly advised that they call their doctors for proper scheduling of the visits.  The Obgyne are also very cautious and careful with pre-natal visits nowadays.

Prevention from Corona Virus while Pregnant

Pregnant women have weak immune system.  In a time of a pandemic such as what the world is currently experiencing now, pregnant women must take great precaution.  Here are some of the tips that I want to share with you:

1. Take vitamin C. 

    Vitamin C is a great immune booster so it is very important to have loads of it.  You can also have lemon juice or other fresh citrus drinks.  Although some pregnant women will have aching stomach when drinking lemon juice.

2. Continue taking the vitamins required by your Obgyne.

    It is important to continue taking in the vitamins or the medications prescribed by your Obygyne.  Do not neglect taking them they are great protection not just to you but also to your little one inside the tummy.

3.  Drink plenty of water.

    It was said that the corona virus cannot stand heat.  So it is advisable that you drink warm water every now and then.

4.  Eat fruits and vegetables.

    If it is possible that you consume only healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, please do.  You and your baby need them.

5.  Stay at home.

    It is a must that pregnant women stay at home.  If somebody else can do grocery shopping for you, please let them.  For your greater protection, please stay away from outdoors.

6.  Wash your hands regularly.

    Wash your hands with soap and water regularly for a span of 20 seconds.  The foamy the soap, the better.

7.  Wear a mask if needed to go out.

    If you are not sick, it is not required that you wear a surgical mask, they are for the frontliners.  A cloth mask is enough, BUT,  put a filter inside your mask.  In another post I will be talking about what filter you can use for your mask.

I hope this helps.  Pregnant women must be very careful at all times, always.
   

What to Avoid When Pregnant

When people learn that you are pregnant, every one is willing to give you a list of to dos and not to dos. Most of them are unsolicited advices.  There are those that can be trusted and can be followed but not all of them are suitable to you.

I would highly suggest that you do your research first before believing.  It is best that you consult your doctor and bombard her with questions and concerns.  They are the most reliable people whom you can trust when you are pregnant.

I listed below the things that I tried to avoid while I was pregnant:

1. Eating unhealthy food such as: junkfood, processed food, soda, sweets, raw food like sushi or any uncooked seafood, undercooked meat.  Remember, your baby eats what you eat so inorder for him/her to be healthy it is advisable that the mommy should have healthy food intake.

2. Avoid being in a toxic environment such as newly painted room, garbage area, a location where there are toxic substances and chemicals.  The smell, the dirt, and bacteria can cause you and your baby harm.

3. Avoid stress especially during the first and second trimester.  Stress may cause miscarriage.  It can also affect the child's growth and development. 

4. Don't have too much caffeine intake. If you are one like me who can never live without coffee, you may lessen your caffeine intake to only one cup a day.

5. Do away with self-medication. Take only medicines and vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

6. Quit smoking and refrain from inhaling secondhand smoke.  The smoke is not only dangerous to the mother but also to the baby.  It has been proven that cigarette smoking causes cancer.  Therefore, it must be avoided during pregnancy. 

7. Avoid liquor.  The strength of the liquor can harm your baby's brain development.

If these help, let me know in the comments below and do share some of the things that you avoided when you were pregnant.  I'm sure your inputs will be of big help.

Morning Sickness

My experience with morning sickness was different than what I expected.  I never thought that morning sickness could happen at any time of the day.  I thought that its name stands to what it really is.  In my early weeks of pregnancy, I was always vomiting and I often felt tired and nauseous.

It was hard because I vomit whenever I eat.  I was very picky with food.  Whenever I smell a strong scent, I feel nauseated. 

Morning sickness is common in early stages of pregnancy. I was suffering with morning sickness for 8 weeks and its occurrence became less until I was 12 weeks pregnant.  There is no standard treatment for morning sickness.  It depends upon the call of your body and its response to your pregnancy.  However these are some of the things that you can try to lessen the severity of morning sickness:

    * Take enough rest

    * Listen to your craving (but lessen intake of unhealthy food)

    * Avoid scents or smells that make you dizzy

    * Always bring a cracker with you and munch on it whenever you feel hungry

    * Avoid fatty foods

    * Drink plenty of water (especially if you keep on vomiting to keep you hydrated)

    * (This I haven't tried but this was tested by my 2-months pregnant friend) Try taking in (orally) Virgin Coconut Oil.  (She said, her nausea and vomiting were decreased to up to 80%)

    * Avoid taking strong medication

As I've mentioned in my previous post in the Early Signs of Pregnancy, every pregnancy is different so what didn't work for me might work for you and what worked for me may work for you.

My heartfelt advise is for you to enjoy every bit of pregnancy.  Each experience is a blessing.  The baby inside you is far more precious than anything else in the world! 

Early Signs of Pregnancy

I was enrolled on an advanced review when I became pregnant.  The pregnancy came unexpectedly so I confused the pregnancy signs with stress and tension as a result of the review class.  But I can clearly recall what the early signs were.

Missed Period 

   I never missed my period before, but I waited until the second month before I had a pregnancy test.

Frequent Headaches and morning sickness

   Headaches were frequent and sometimes not bearable.  I was always tired and feverish. 

Drowsiness  

   Most women experience being tired and sleepy, they end up sleeping long hours during day time. In my case, I had that feeling during my second trimester.

Lower Backpains

   The pain in my lower back was disturbing.  I would even cry at night because of the pain. It was a good thing that I never took pain reliever or any other medications.

Sore breasts

   I was a size 32 but during that time I noticed that my breasts were becoming bigger by the day and they were sore, it felt as though they were stretching and expanding.

Allergic to some food and drinks that used to be my favorite

   I was a coffee addict but when I got pregnant, there was a sudden shift, I did not want to drink a single sip.  I used to love the smell of coffee but during that time, I felt dizzy whenever I smell the scent of it.  Vegetables were not a favorite but when during my early pregnancy weeks, I was always craving for vegetables.

Dizziness

   I was always dizzy.

Cramps

   There was a sensation that felt like menstrual cramps.  I mistakenly thought It was just a period but it wasn't.

Spotting

   It is often referred to as implantation bleeding.  I had spotting on my first month and thought it was a normal period.  The only difference is that it was only a day that I had it.  I also had spotting on my third month of pregnancy due to stress but I had some medications on that since I was on a high-risk pregnancy state.

Those were the common early signs of pregnancy that I experienced.  I heard of different experiences from other women.  Every pregnancy is different.  It is always advised to know your own body and your own needs.  No one knows you better but you.

The Long Wait

It was a long 11-year wait for me to get pregnant.  Everyone I know was always asking when I will get pregnant, or why I never got pregnant.  Women going through what I went through would probably be annoyed with all those questions but not me.  I have always believed in my heart that one day God will give me children. 

I held on to God's promise to me in Psalms 113:9 "He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD."  And that was hope indeed.

Then came the 11th year of marriage and I was unexpectedly pregnant.  Pregnant at a time when I never should be.  I was pregnant when I was reviewing for a national major exam. Yes. I remember talking to my doctor about it telling her that I was married for 11 years and that was my first time to be pregnant.  She said "11 years? You should be very happy!"  I was happy, joyful deep in my heart but it came at at time when i was too busy doing something I thought was the priority at that time.  I honestly had mixed emotions.  I wasn't ready.

The baby was expected to come out on the first month of 2019 but instead came out on the last day of 2018.  We were overjoyed.  I was the happiest mom ever!  

The long wait was over. My husband was the most joyous man in the whole world! He waited for 11 years to become a dad and this baby came...

It was a long wait but it was worth it!