Is your dog a picky eater? - Here's what I did to my fur baby♥

source: istockphotos

Is your dog a picky eater?  Honestly, few months ago I have experienced this with Mochi (my maltipoo).  He refuses to eat his food.  I feed him Royal Canin kibbles eversince I got him, but as time goes by he does not want to eat it and ended up vomiting a yellowish foam.  Of course as a first time fur parent I was so concerned and called my cousin Vet right away.  And she told me that "nalipasan lang yan ng gutom" - the yellow foam usually means that the stomach is empty and the bile causes stomach irritation.  I tried a lot of things like: adding wet dog food, food toppers, but after few weeks he will not eat them again.  I also tried not feeding him if he does not want to eat when I give him his meals.  But I feel guilty afterwards. :(

So what I did?  I researched of course where else but online.. haha... I browsed the web and watch couple of videos on YouTube.  I still give him Dry Kibble dog food because it contains complete nutrients that our dog needs, but I add the following human foods that are safe for our fur babies.

• Chicken breast, liver and gizzard - I cook (boil) these without any seasoning.  I add them alternately to the dry kibble adding a little chicken broth so the kibble will absorb it;

I also add vegetables with the chicken (whichever is available at home).  I cook them together with the chicken without seasoning. 

• Sweet Potato (Camote/Kamote); 
• Squash (Kalabasa);    
• French or Green Beans (Baguio beans);
• Carrots;
• Broccoli

• Salmon - I know this is kind of expensive, but whenever we have this at home I also give him a little piece.  I just cook it in water on a pan, like frying without oil. 

At the moment, this works for him.  He loves the chicken with these veggies.  I also give him cheat days... If we have roasted chicken I give him an itsy bitsy piece.  

Here are the other foods that is safe for dogs:

• Vegetables: Cauliflower, celery, pumpkin, chayote;
• Fruits: Apples, banana, cucumber, pineapple, strawberry, blueberry, oranges, ;
• .Meat : Turkey, beef, pork
• Others: Egg (Chicken/Quail), Honey

Other notes:

I have a regular feeding time for Mochi and I still practice removing his bowl when he does not want to eat. (And guaranteed that on his next meal time he will surely finish it).  I make sure to provide him clean, fresh water which is readily available on his crate.  

Hope this helps...

xo,

Chiq♥  

Recipe: Easy Creamy Spinach Dip♥

Ingredients:

1 package Fresh Spinach leaves, washed, dried and chopped

1 Cream cheese 255 grams, room temperature

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil

Grated Mozzarella cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Pre heat oven at 350 degrees;
• In a food processor or blender : Blend together Cream Cheese, Spinach leaves, Garlic and Olive oil;
• Once the mixture becomes smooth and spreadable, add salt and pepper to taste (If you want a more gooey dip you can add additional Olive oil);
•  Transfer in a small baking dish;  
• Add Mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted; 
• Serve with sliced (toasted) French bread or baguette.  

This dip is also great with chips!

Happy cooking!

xo,

Chiq♥

Afternoon tea at the Pen♥

An English afternoon tea is always a dream since I was a little girl.  Last month, I got to experience it with my Titas and cousins.  It was a double birthday celebration of moi and Crissy (my cousin).  We are both January babies and we are actually kinda namesake (that is both our 2nd names are the same).

  

Crissy reserved a table for us last January 21st... it was a wonderful (and sosyal) experience.  hihi... There are a couple of hotels that offer afternoon tea but we chose The Lobby at Manila Peninsula.  The afternoon tea starts at 2pm and it costs at P2,150.00++ (for 2 pax).  

Why Manila Pen?  It's been a while since I have been there.  My last was in 2007, for my brother's wedding reception.  Still loving the ambiance, the iconic ceiling artwork and the grandiose staircase.

Milk Chocolate Ganache tart

What's my favorite on the 3 tier afternoon tea set - I love the Smoked salmon blini (Sorry I wasn't able to take a photo of it, was too excited to try it! *wink!)  and the Milk chocolate ganache tart.  Honestly, if you are not into sweets and desserts this is not for you.  Me, not really a sweet tooth person so for this out of ten I give at a 6 - that's for the afternoon tea set.  We also ordered french fries on the side which I think everyone's comfort food. 

We wanted to try their halo halo but we skipped it (for next time) and just ordered our all time favorite Filipino snack Turon with Vanilla ice cream on the side.  It was fantastic!  We realized, we're Filipinos at heart enjoying more of Pinoy snack instead of the English high tea.  

We enjoyed the afternoon, sipping our tea, having our light snack and our usual chitchat while being serenaded by the man playing the grand piano at the background. 

I got a birthday surprise!  Crissy requested this when she booked our table.  Blew a candle again after so many years... Happy? Yes of course! I was not able to really celebrate my 50th last 2022, but turning 51 with this surprise birthday cake really means a lot!♥

xo,

Chiq♥

Bag Trends 2023♥

Let's start the new year with our favorite accessory! As a bagaholic I am really excited to know what bags are going to be in the spotlight this year.  Don't get me wrong it does not mean you have to buy a new one, but maybe you have one of this in your closet.  So this is the best time to get it out and use it again.  

source: michaelkors.com

Utility Pockets

You may have noticed pocket bags in the last quarter of 2022.  For those who are into organizing this bag is for you.  There are a lot of pockets, compartments for all of your stuff so there is not need to dig in to your bag to find what you need.  

source: saintlaurent.com

The Oversized

When Saint Laurent released it's iCare bag, I knew that this "oversized" bags will become a trend (again).  The carry all you can bag: that fits almost everything you need - it's like carrying your closet with you.  Few years ago I got so obsessed with oversized bags : like the shopper totes.   The only downside of this - I ended up having a frozen shoulder.  It can hold a lot but make sure it's not too heavy.

source: celine.com

Belt bag  

Going hands-free to carry your essentials is still "in".  For me this is one of the most convenient trend especially when you're tired of carrying on your shoulders why not carry it on your waist.   This is totally perfect for night out with friends or even you are out for errands.

source: Zara.com

Top Handle

Don't fret for looking a like "lola" (grandma) in carrying this bag!  This classic feminine bag is going back on trend this year.  The fashion houses gave this classic bag an updated look: making it more suitable for women of all ages.   

Flower Power

It's this to go out and smell the flowers!  Floral bags are going back for the Spring season.  I am not really into floral bags... oh well - Why not? you might see me carrying one this year. (*wink!)

source: jwpei.com

Sparkles and Shine

All that sparkles are not just for the new year's eve party!  Rock your sequined and rhinestones bag for the whole 2023.  Actually we have seen this trend coming  when Prada launched their bags with crystals last year.  Who doesn't want to leave a sparkle wherever they go, right?