Sunday, April 19, 2009

On Child Intelligence and IQ Points

Can milk make my child intelligent? I believe it alone, cannot.

Intelligence is a combination of genes, proper nutrition and the environment (situations and encouragement from parents,school and others in the community experienced by the child).

I happen to chance upon an advertisement on + 7IQ points. It created interest in me. As a mom, I always wish for my child to be successful in life. I have always believed that high IQ Points is a nice to have. When I saw the advertisement on it, I started asking myself if it is a must have.

I inquired with a pediatrician what the +7IQ Points was all about. Doctor was accommodating enough and told me that the study mentioned on the possibility that your child may increase his IQ Points while drinking a specific formula milk fortified with DHA. What most failed to look and inquired at was the comparison of its control group (vs the group which drank the formula fortified with DHA). When I asked from what group was it compared to, what I understood from what has been explained was apparently the control group used was a milk not fortified with DHA. I think case will not be true here in the Philippines as most of the milk brands found in our country is already fortified with DHA.

DHA's best source would be breast milk and breast milk is free of charge. Even if milk products are highly competitive on each other with their product offerings and claims, I totally agree on the saying, "breast milk is still best for babies".

I cannot afford to pay a huge amount of money to buy a milk highly fortified with DHA but is substandard in terms of other nutrients important for a child's development. I hope milk companies would be more responsible in their advertising. As a mother, I fervently hope one day that one or all of them would have a genuine interest to help moms rather than to mislead them in their advertising claims.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Davao's Best Dining Places II

I was quite fortunate to be back in my hometown for a few days despite my busy work schedule. We were able to go to a few dining places and I suddenly remembered I used to write about Davao's best dining places. Here's a few more venues of gastronomic delight that the Durian Republic offers:

1. Ahfat - I am always delighted with my meal in Ahfat. Whether it be any of their seafood offering or their pancit or their spareribs. Ahfat is one of the dining places where we frequent bringing along our visitors in the city. Proof that Davaoenos and visitors alike love to eat in Ahfat: the place is always full even if there is already an extension of Ahfat's dining area nearby. One should not miss eating in Ahfat especially if it is their first time in Davao City.

2. Lisa's - Offers a wide array of fresh seafood delight at an affordable price. Located near Time's Beach, the place is always full at lunchtime and dinner time. I always love their crispy fried hito! I was so delighted that I need not to drive far in Tugbok whenever I crave for crispy hito as it is already available in Lisa's. It is best to go to Lisa's in the afternoon almost dawn as lunch heat can be quite scorching. After going to SM, you can drive along the Times Beach area. Once you hit the place, you will never miss Lisa's as it is the one with most cars parked in front. Parking sometimes a hassle especially during peak hours but don't worry as it will also lead you to nearby alternative seafood dining places.

3. Miggy's - In case there's no more parking space available at Lisa's try Miggy's also along Times Beach area.

4. Roadhouse/Antonio's - If you happen to be in SM, try dining either at Roadhouse or Antonio's. My family always take us either to these 2 places for Sunday lunch.

5. Bigbys - A great place to dine with family and friends in case you need to chat and catch up with each other's lives.

6. Colasa's - Their chicken barbecue is one of the best that I've ever tasted.

7. Picobello - For great pasta and pizza!

8. Cecil's - For afternoon snack, we love best their dinuguan and pancit luglug.. Try also their caramel cake.

9. Bistro Rosario - If you love cakes, drive along Torres Street and you will never miss the white building facade of Bistro Rosario. Choose a slice or a box that you can take home to. A family friend used to bring Bistro Rosario cakes back to Manila whenever they are here in Davao for a visit.

10. Sutukil - it's near the Central Bank and food is great and affordable for working professionals. A lot of sales people dine here during lunch or dinner.