Paps and I are the ones preparing and cooking meals for our family. We seldom eat-out or order food for delivery because our kids prefer what we cook for them.

The advantages of cooking and eating home-cooked meals are tremendous since we meticulously do the shopping, hand-picking, and preparing our own food. We know that what we serve to our loved ones is clean, safe, healthy, and most of all, delicious.

Preparing delicious meals doesn't necessary mean that we have to make it grand in amount or appearance. Anthony Bourdain, one of the most influential chefs, authors, and television personalities in the world, said, "Good food is very often, even most often, simple food."  Indeed, we agree because our food is always simple but its flavors that tickle our palates and the benefits that it contributes to our well-being are amazingly satisfying.

Aside from handling our food with so much love and care, I am going to reveal our family's secret to our delectable meals and that is no less than, MAGGI. We may be using various brands of herbs, spices, and sauces but Maggi products are always in our pantry.

Why is Maggi part of our meal preparations for years? 

Whenever we choose products especially for ingestion, we always check if they are from reputable brands. Maggi has been in the market for decades. It's among the most trusted food brands in the world. Most of all, it's a product of Nestle, one of the world's leader in health and nutrition. Nestle products including Maggi is research-based and proven to be safe and healthy to use.

Maggi is not just safe and healthy. Napapasasarap naman nito talaga ang mga pagkaing aming inihahanda para sa aming pamilya kahit hindi na lalagyan ng salt o iba pang pampaalat. Maggi balances and enhances the flavor of every meal without making it too salty.

Our vegetable dishes are incomplete without a dash of Maggi Savor Classic Liquid Seasoning. This variant in particular is also best as dip for dumplings, fried dishes, roasted meats, and steamed or boiled veggies. 

We put salt and pepper to our oil-less pan fried chicken. When we discovered Maggi Magic Sarap All-In-One Seasoning Granules and Maggi Magic Chicken Meaty Seasoning Granules, we use them interchangeably and don't use salt anymore. Furthermore, our fried rice is incomplete without Maggi Magic Sarap.

Seared Pork Chops are my mom's favorite. The pork taste is enhanced when Maggi Magic Pork Meaty Seasoning Granules are added to the milk marinade.

Then we tried using it in our Ginisang Monggo because we lessened the pork. Mas lalo pang naging meaty ang flavor at lalong sumarap at naging malinamnam ito!

Why is it that our barbecue dishes taste great? Maggi Oyster Sauce ang sikreto riyan! My best friend, Grace Yanzon, served her Pork Barbecue with Maggi Oyster Sauce when she invited me for lunch in her home. Sa sobrang sarap ng barbecue niya, I never forget to stock up Maggi Oyster Sauce at home. It also makes stir-fry dishes flavorful.

Another milestone was unlocked, Our search for affordable, tasty, and not too salty soy sauce was over because of the launch of Maggi Soy Sauce in the market a couple of months ago. Our Adobo, Menudo or Igado tastes even better with it.

To sum it up, Maggi makes simple dishes taste magical! Parang laging may handaan sa aming tahanan dahil sa Maggi. Sa simpleng Sinigang, pritong ulam, o inihaw, #AllWeNeedIsMagic!

Maggi Watermelon Surprise Soup Base Mix and Maggi Magic Isda All-In-One Seasoning Granules for Fish ang susunod kong susubukan. Ikaw, ano ang kwentong Maggi mo?

Last August 26, it was such a blessing on my part to be given a chance to talk about Miss Meanne Mabesa Mijares's new book, Heartbreakthrough 8 Steps to Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord’s Way. If you remember, she was author of the award-winning book, Emma Kali-kaliwete! Emma U-utal-utal!, her first book that I reviewed a couple of months ago.

"Heartbreakthrough 8 Steps To Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord's Way by Meanne Mabesa Mijares" is the best book to read if you are currently in pain due to failed relationship, separation, or cycle of abuse. This book will bring you to your breakthrough because it will lead you to the right journey that is guided by the Lord. . It was such a wonderful feeling to be invited by the author herself and give a short talk about it during its launch last Saturday. That endeavor became the start of my vow to make this book reach those people who need the right answers and heal their broken hearts without going astray. . I will share my thoughts wishes for the book, where to purchase it, and Meanne's next book signing event on my blog. I will keep you posted. 💕 . #meannemabesamijares #heartbreakthroughbook #bookstagram #bookworm #book #inspirational #mommybloggersph #momblogger #readingadvocate #claretianpublications #claret #booklaunch #booksigning

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Aug 27, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT

Meanne and I became in touch online and her book launch was the first time that I met her in person. That made me more excited and elated. Imagine, an award-winning author would ask a simple blogger like me to talk about her book? She even sent me the manuscript and that was the proof to my claim that I was one of the very first persons to read the book. To be trusted my her to own the manuscript really meant so much.

The event was more than a book launch. It was an intimate, meaningful, fruitful, and very special moment for me because I met Meanne and her family in person, gained new friends like Anna Santana and the love of her life, and had an insightful conversation about life with the guests and other Claretians who graced the event. I would never forget this experience as long as I live.

Before further ado, let me share with you the brief content that I have spoken of during the talk that somehow can give you a backgrounder of what's in store for you.

I feel so elated and blessed to be one of the first persons to read this book. "Heartbreakthrough: 8 STEPS to Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord's Way by Meanne Mabesa Mijares" talks about steps in recovering from being heart broken and starting anew by immersing yourself to the way that God wants it to be. . While reading this book, I remember my friends who are hurt right now due to failed marriages and relationships. This is the best book to read to ease their pain and find answers to their unresolved questions. . Thanks for being a blessing, Miss Meanne! God bless you in all your endeavors. I am so excited to witness your upcoming book launch! ❤❤❤ . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmustread #aapmfavorites #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #meannemabesamijares

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Aug 19, 2017 at 12:32am PDT

I have contemplated for some time on how I can give justice to the book, Heartbreakthrough 8 Steps to Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord’s Way by Ms. Meanne Mabesa Mijares as I share my insights on its contents without actually revealing too much that would spoil the surprises and intricacies that were presented in this book. However, having been tasked to share my insights and feelings on its content has created a dilemma on my part. If I may encapsulate my impression of the book, Barbara Streissand as Rose Morgan in the movie “The Mirror Has Two Faces” said in one of her lines, “True love has spiritual dimensions”.

In essence, it is what I believe is one of the many core points of the book. It will take you to a spiritual journey that will enable you to heal. This may sound unreal since break ups and heart brokenness create moments of weakness, vulnerability, and despair in us. However, the insights provided in the book present a different and more meaningful perspective, one that is anchored towards healing ourselves and putting ourselves under the loving presence of God. It is very enlightening to know that our moments of misery are indeed avenues to learn more about the love of God for us and a moment to learn and deepen our awareness of both ourselves and our spirituality.

Furthermore, one of the revealing insights that struck me in the book came from a Bible passage in one of the chapters which was from Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart”. The question that came to me was “How can I be delighted if I am hurting inside?” The book provides a plan of action that teaches us self-internalization through prayer. Not only that, it can also lead us to the realization that when we commune and come to terms with our spirit and the events that lead us to our present circumstances, we are actually communicating with God.  As I continued my reading, I truly was amazed on the wisdom that was imparted within its pages.

It was a great privilege to speak in front of the audience about how helpful Heartbreakthrough 8 Steps to Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord’s Way by Ms. Meanne Mabesa Mijares is to those individuals looking for answers on how to heal their broken heart the right way. (Photo credit: Meanne Mabesa Mijares)

Many of the principles that were incorporated in its pages explained and rationalized the things that a heartbroken person were going through and how she or he would respond to his or her brokenness. Such as…

- Love comes with a risk---heartbreak. It makes you recover from a heartbreak with a stronger head , and a more advanced approach and disposed spirit, that is to love again.

- Don’t keep the pain inside. Don’t deny your grief and pain. Crying cleanses us.

- Learn from loses and mistakes. If we don’t learn from them, we are doomed to repeat them.

- Eat healthy. Do what makes you happy. Treat yourself. Exercise.

- Stop looking for happiness in the place you lost it.

- A breakthrough can’t happen if a broken heart is closed, arrogant, and adamant. When we acknowledge and need help in humility reaching out to our Lord, then things fall into  place, doors are opened, chains are broken, and we can move on.

- Remember, no person has the right to condemn you how you repair your broken heart or how you choose to grieve because no one knows how must you are hurting deep inside. Recovering takes time and everyone heals at their own pace. Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience for God’s time in his best time.

- The Lord leads you to where he wants you to lead.

- To win your personal battles against your personal demons to resolve your issues, you need to pray. Make good decisions that are strengthened by your faith.

-  Accepting the fact that the past cannot change is breathtaking launching pad for forgiveness.

- Choose to accept the past for what it was and look ahead to what is.

- Be wise in choosing who you invest your time in because wasted time is much worse than wasted money. If the Lord wants you to be with someone, He will make it happen at the right time with the right person.

- God is everywhere and in everything. The closer you get to God, you will start to look at life through your spiritual eyes more clearly. He will bless us by showing his hand and at others He will make us learn how to trust Him and His unlimited power.

- God will give us what we need not what we wanted. God surely lives up to His promise to always give back more than what we lose. All it takes is faith, hope, and trust.

The capacity of humans to love and feel attracted to another individual has birthed countless wisdom and realizations which has enriched our experience of love.

One of the most compelling point that struck me during my reading was the question “How do we get to enjoy the ultimate promise of God?”. It showed details on how we could turn our moment of misery to an enlightening moment that would enable us to see the goodness in such situation. It truly was a “WOW” moment for me. At my age I had my own moments of misery borne from loss, separation and wrong decisions, and in those instances, I had at some point felt the overwhelming feeling of anger, frustration and despair. Looking back I was thinking if I had access to such wisdom back in the day, probably I could have avoided doing so many senseless acts that made me loose so much. If I may use a little bit of what was presented in its pages, Miss Mijares stressed that the misery that we could feel during our moment of brokenness could be something that we must acknowledge and through that act, we could take time to:

Such acts can eventually lead to blessings, opportunities, probable new career, and new love. And lastly (I have to end it here because I might take away the excitement and mystery of the book), broken people always have the dilemma of finding the inspiration or spark that propels them to move forward. This aspect of healing poses a great threat since it has the tendency to deepen the pain and hurt to the extent of damaging the very perception of any one on the concept of love. In answer to this, the act or fact that a person choose to move forward and continue to take each step and breathe in spite of the pain means that the person has surrendered to the Lord’s will and is indeed looking forward to receiving God’s promise.  

In mathematical language the equation that is love can lead to different products and percentages of ecstasy and insanity. Today we are witness to a work done with utmost passion that centers on the very experience of the other side of love which is heart break. Exuding love, sharing one’s self and dedicating one’s life in pursuit of the happiness of another is one of the highlights of our lives. There is so much that we have learned from our experiences with our relationships many of us think that we have already moved forward... Have we? This masterpiece is am must read for it provides a perspective that put us closer to God and raise our awareness on our humanity.

Let me share with you the poem that speaks so much of letting go and letting God, the essence of finding the heartbreakthrough. This poem is found on pages 123-124.

Let God choose for you, it will be the right decision.

Let God guide you, it will be the right decision.

Let God plan for you, it will be in the right timing.

Let God measure for you, it will be the right portion.

Let God help you, it will be the right care.

Let God instruct you, it will be the right teaching.

Let God prepare you, it will be the right training.

Let God counsel you, it will be the right perspective.

Let God fight for you, it will be the right outcome.

Let God work in you, it will be the right result.

Let God work, don't block your blessings by moving to fast.

When God is working on your behalf, be patient. Good things take time.

Don't get weary and don't get in the way. 

(Source: https://elranchodelrey.org?p=820)

For me, Heartbreakthrough 8 Steps to Rise Above Heartbreak- The Lord’s Way, is the best book and companion that you should have when you are heart broken. It will never mislead you. It will lead you to the right path in finding your peace in times of pain and suffering. You may purchase this for a very affordable price of Php199.00 in any religious store catering books printed by Claretian Publications. You may also buy it online.

Php199.00 is unbelievably affordable for a very informative book.                                           (Photo credit: Meanne Mabesa Mijares)

If you will visit the upcoming Manila International Book Fair, Meanne will have her book signing on September 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 Pm at the Claretian Publications booth numbers 240 to 244 in SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Never miss this chance of meeting her and having your copy signed by her. Meanne is a very nice, approachable, and humble person.

Grab your copy now. Even if you are not heartbroken you will learn so much from the book.                                                                       (Photo credit: Meanne Mabesa Mijares)

"If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”

- Mother Theresa

I am feeling under the weather today and reading just a few pages of this book has lifted me up literally and figuratively. Thank you so much for sharing your gift of writing, Miss @michelealignay! Thank you, @brotherbosanchez and Shepherd's Voice Publication, Inc., for sending me this book through the initiative of Miss @tinasrodriguez. It's such a lovely gift. God bless you. 💕 . My thoughts about this book soon! 😉 . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmustread #aapmrecommends #shepherdsvoice #book #bookstagram #inspire #family #relationships #bookworm #blessed #grateful #loved

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:08am PDT

Are we having a harmonious relationship?

Do we deal with trials and problems properly?

Am I fulfilling my duties as a wife and mom?

Do I fully understand that each member of my family is different and be treated with utmost respect, loyalty, and love?

Am I a mindful person all the time?

I am not being hard on myself but sometimes I feel inadequate as a mom and wife. I am not perfect. I also feel tired and burned-out. When I am so exhausted, sometimes I do things only out of obligation.

I also whined, felt so empty that nothing was left for myself figuratively and literally. Maybe, you had the same experience. Like me, surely you also felt guilty.

After reading this book,  I felt that there's nothing wrong with acknowledging our true feelings. What would matter most would be knowing how to channel our efforts positively and making sure that we would be basing our decisions for the good of the entire family.

Obviously, there are so things to be done and learned as I live with my family. This book has helped me in so many ways to improve my relationship with my spouse and kids. Honestly, I am still a work in progress. I would like to share some excerpts from the book that struck me.

1 "The heart of family bonding is more than the place where the family is or the occasions we celebrate. It's more than the food on the table or the activity we share. The heart is that portion of ourselves we willingly share with our family, without losing the essence of individuality. That 'I' in the family builds the healthy beautiful 'we'."

2  "You can enrich your relationships and converse in a deeper gut level by having the guts to talk, to laugh, to whine, and to mutually connect with the very people who hold you dear. Go and talk. Share yourself, especially what you feel. Do not be afraid to be vulnerable. Listen to the other person. Free yourself from judgments and giving opinions. Listen more and empathize. Just be who you are. Then see the wonders it does in deepening your relationship!"

3  "Mindfulness is being present in the moment. It is not fretting over what could have been. It's not judging ourselves for what we should be. It's allowing our thoughts as they are, observing them and checking ourselves against taped ideas."

5  "The emotional exchanges are crucial to our relationships. Sometimes, our relationships gets scarred, bitter, or estranged when we have more unpleasant emotional outburts. But why do we exhibit more emotions and become more transparent with our feelings when we got closer to someone? Because intimacy in relationships and the feelings of closeness only happen if there is a sharing of emotions. Our feelings are part of who we are. That feeling is uniquely ours. These feelings are actually part of God's great design for us."

6  "A resilient family views stress and crisis as opportunities for inner transformation and growth." 

7  "'It's not that we are busy, but what are we busy about.' Our core values will always be the center from which our life energy will flow. If we sre deadlocked in decision-making, aligning our realities snd priorities to our core values should make things clear." 

 8  "Why settle for spark when you can have fire."

9  "The best gift parents can give their children is a happy marriage. Happy parents and fulfilled married life bring about happy children and fulfilling parenting."

10 "ACCEPT. ACKNOWLEDGE. AFFIRM. They're like a magic formula for unloving the mysteries of loving relationships. It's living beyond the box. It's a conscious decision we live out each day as we express appreciation for our spouse."

12  "Let's forego of our 'shoulds' to see and appreciate what is in front of us. Let's allow ourselves to be free from our to-do list so we can connect with our loved ones. We need to touch them, to look at their faces, to connect not only with what we say but connect through their eyes, mind, heart and even their soul. And our nonverbal communications do not lie. Relationships will not thrive if we do not experience the other person-- in the flesh through our senses."

I recommend this book to all parents, husbands, wives, and those who are planning to get married and raise a family. I agree with what Brother Bo Sanchez said, "I'm so happy that Michele is giving us this important gift: clear, powerful, and wise guidance on how you can make your own family great." His statement sums up the magic that this book can bring to every family.

Courtesy: Michele S. Alignay

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