Amazing Jing for Life: #GoDoubleGoSmart creations of a Smart and Practical Mom

Have you ever thought about what's in a hazelnut that people crave and go grazy about? It is in our coffee, in our cakes, it's also in our fave ice creams, in some chocolate bars... and of course, not to forget, in our chocolate spreads. Hazelnuts is also a household name that moms like me, even the kids and the whole family are all fond of.

Let's take a quick look of Hazelnut's brief history, its main benefits and nutritional values...

Raw Hazelnuts (ctto: healthybodyandmore)

The hazelnut is a fruit of the hazelnut tree, a tree that reaches some three to five metres high. The tree has a thin stem and is very densely covered with leaves. The leaves can be recognized by their round, oval or heart shape. From the beginning of its growth, the hazelnut is protected by bracts that later form hard shells. The hazel tree does not produce any flowers in the spring, unlike other nut trees. It grows on calcium-rich humus containing lots of moisture and grows from January to April. As the nut ripens, the shell of the nut changes to a yellow orange. The hazelnut does better in a cool and moist summer than in a dry hot one.

The tree was the symbol of marriage, abundance of wealth and family happiness. The hazelnut was seen, as it were, as the symbol of peace and health and a source of wealth and power.

It has been also known that hazelnut has nutritional values such as: it is a good source of vitamin E. A handful of hazelnuts (25 g) contains no less than 50% of the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA). Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants can play an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer. (aboutnuts.com)

Since hazelnuts have a rich flavor, they are often used in baking products and also used to make hazelnut butter, meal and flour, paste, and oil. They can also be purchased in their shell, chopped, ground, or roasted. So this is why, Goya Chocolates has also opted to use hazelnut in their chocolate spread, the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread." It's not only rich in flavor, but is also high in nutrition. No wonder, the ancient Greeks and Romans used it as a medicine and according to Chinese manuscripts some 5,000 years ago, it is also considered a sacred food from heaven.

And now here's the geist of my mom story... would you agree with me if I say that it's really tough being a practical and a smart mom at the same time? I can sense some nods and some, feel uncertain about it and I understand. You know what, We have eight family members (not to mention the few extended ones) so can you imagine everyday I have to take care of them and feed eight craveable mouths (me included hehe) everyday. If one would actually analyze everything what a mom does and how we are capable of doing almost anything as in anything for the sake of our family, boy, you might be concluding that we are indeed a living sorceress (in a good way) or a mutant that transforms into something useful to be able to adapt and function depending on the situation or better yet, a Superwoman! :))

But kidding aside, I, myself sometimes feel surprised and overwhelmed by my capabilities. I sometimes feel at awe of what I am still capable to give and in store for my family. I never run out of mommy ideas, I always see to it that they are all very well taken cared of and that I have ample and quality time for them. In this millennial age, it is compulsary that we also adapt to their so-called millennial needs and behaviors but with a balance, you know what I mean, there should always be a limit to some things and a compromise, right fellow moms? I know you are hearing me put here... I'm pretty sure other momshies would also agree with me about this. Since we are now in this fast-paced era and where almost everything else are at high cost, it is an imperative for us, moms to be practical and take smart choices.

This is where the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread," Goya's premium brand of Hazelnut Spread, steps in to our family. You might be thinking, why is it tagged as "double hazelnut," you see, I've learned that this spread comes from Germany and that it is double (actually more than!) the hazelnut content at 13% making it more enjoyable because of its rich hazelnut goodness! For a 350g bottle, it is only priced at an SRP of Php154.00 and the 750g bottle for only Php297.00 isn't it amazing?!

This is such a great find for us moms and other housemakers, you see we get to lavish on the rich hazelnut flavor and goodness of a chocolate spread at such a low cost. Yes, Goya Chocolates have doubled the hazelnut content, and it created a big impact on us, honestly speaking. My big family are all big-eaters too hahaha, and like what I've said, they are all fond of the Goya Double Hazelnut Spread. Being it, a budget-friendly commodity, and me, being a practical mom, it is a smart choice for me to avail this spread thereby making me do some smart steps like recreating some recipes, encouraging my family to eat healthy or exploring new recipes which I am confident that my family will love!

Here are some #GoDoubleGoSmart ideas and creations of a practical mom like me using "Goya Double Hazlenut Spread" and I'd like to share them all with you, my dear amazing readers...

I present to you... my #GoDoubleGoSmart Goya Double Hazelnut Spread Creation

You might look at this in an artistic way but I tell you, when the creative mind of a mom like me works... this is how it looks like. :))

If you feel that your family need a different kind of perk or something that will tickle their lavish tastes, you gotta try this. Well for me, I just took out some of the crackers, cookies and biscuits from our snack cabinet.

DIP and SPREAD IT!!!

We usually munch on these during our movie marathon days that happen on weekends when we are all complete and not going out. Sometimes, it's much more convenient when you stay at home, right?! More "tipid" (money-saving), more safe and more more time for bonding! wink wink ;)

FRESH FRUITS in GOYA DOUBLE HAZELNUT

Since the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread" costs a lot lower than the other brand that we used to buy (seldomly), I was able to save and yes! More fruits for my family! I have re-created a fruit platter and a chocolate fondue with various fruits like pineapple, bananas and grapes (all three were left overs from our fridge) so I have thought of buying and adding more fruits like mangoes and melons. And to encourage my family more, most especially the kiddos, to eat fresh fruits while also having and enjoying the nutritional value brought about by the hazelnut.

Serving them food that pleases their eyes, entices their appetites too, take note of that!

Our baby princess Pia is enjoying her banana-dipped in her fave "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread" See how satisfied our baby is? That's such a sweet smile babe! #lovelovelove

We've seen how versatile the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread," is right?! But in the photo above, you can see that our dear baby Markus whom we fondly call "Atus" really loves to eat

a spoonful of "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread!" For our baby Atus, he wants to lavish the rich hazelnut goodness fully! He's so natural and a darling! He even gave me an A-Ok sign, look! So appreciate it! I love you babe!

MUSHROOM SOUP with a TWIST

Now we've come to my last creation. The "Mushroom Soup with a Twist." Yes, you've read it right!

What inspired me to do a personal concoction like this? Well, being a practical and a smart mom, we have to also be a keen observer, a trouble-shooter and quick thinker. The past few times, I've observed that there were some leftover mushroom soups and that never happened before. So I've been thinking of the best option or way to make them like the soup or even want the soup to that extent. Because, it's not practical to waste any food or anything that will cost us, right?!

Then I've come up with an idea of re-creating the usual Mushroom Soup. This time, I added something magical... it's the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread!" How was I able to do that? You'll see...

If you are interested and like the idea, hope you'll also do my own creation ;)

Simple Ingredients needed:

• 1 tbsp. butter (for sauteeing)

• White Onion (finely chopped)

• Potato (chopped into small cubes)

• Cream of Mushroom Soup Mix

• Mushroom (thinly sliced)

• Bacon (toasted and finely chopped)

• Cheese (or any kind of cheese available from your fridge)

• Croutons (optional) or any leftover breads you have will do

• Parsley (optional)

Easy Peasy Instructions:

In a soup pan, put the butter to melt over medium heat only.

Then add the white onion, sautee until it becomes transluscent.

Add the potatoes, sautee then lower the heat and cover for few minutes.

Sautee the ingredients occasionally and also check if the potatoes are tender.

In a separate bowl, pour the cream of mushroom mix to your desired amount of water, mix it thoroughly.

Once the potatoes reach their "almost tender" stage, add the sliced mushrooms then sautee.

After few strokes, add the Cream of Mushroom Mixture from the bowl. Stir and boil over medium heat.

Once boiled, lower the heat then add a tbsp. of "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread," then stir thoroughly.

No need to add sugar since the soup will acquire its sweetness from the spread.

*** In a separate pan, toast some bacon and chop it into bits to serve as topping.

Once the soup is ready, place it in your fave bowl then top it off with grated cheese, croutons, parsley and bacon bits.

The magical works of a tbsp. of "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread" added to the Mushroom Soup is the "twist!"

I present to you, my own concoction I called "Mushroom Soup with a Twist!"

This comfort soup will surely catch your family's appetite and perk them up! With the aroma alone, brought about by the "Goya Double Hazelnut Spread," and its creamy, sweet, salty (from bacon) taste, the potato cubes for extra texture, the cheese, croutons, parsley were all perfectly blended and match to suit everyone's picky taste. Not to mention the nutrition that we get from this huh?! You'll really love the "twist" guys and I hope you'll try it too!

Our baby Bryce's first time to try my "Mushroom Soup with a Twist." At first he was hesitant but as soon as he got the taste of it, he got to like it too! And I am so happy they all liked it too! Their approval and positive gestures really mean a lot to me, everytime I cook for them. You see we indulge ourselves and I spoil them with love and food!!!

To answer my question about "Is it really tough being a practical and a smart mom at the same time?" Well, like what I've said in my Instagram post, I guess it really comes out naturally... the term Superwoman or SuperMom comes with great responsibility and credibility. And being one, as they say, the tough factor steps in when you have to live up with that and maintain the composure and grace even under pressure. She should be like the hazelnut, versatile, adaptable, flavorful (not dull and boring) and useful.

I always tell myself, don't overthink, never get tired, give yourself a break and free yourself from stress. We have major role to fulfill and more duties to fill-in girls, so chillax, there's more to life, think positive and be happy! Sooner or later, those efforts and endless routines will all be paid off and little did we know, we are performing our jobs effortlessly and with full passion. We have the noblest job in the world and yet it is so rewarding! Agree? ;))

So take hold of what you think is best for you and your family. Believe in it and own it!