Should I get a CCTV?

After giving birth to Xavier and going back to work from my maternity leave I have always wanted a CCTV. For three years I avoided buying one because- 1. it's expensive, 2. I want to show I trust my helpers and 3. we are only renting out the place (installation can be hassle). Until one day, I found out one of my yayas stole a diamond necklace from me. I could not risk my kids not being safe in my own house. I just can't be too "trusting" this time. I learned my lesson. That day, I started scouting for CCTVs. 

I got mine at Ace Hardware. Starting price is P13,789.50 for two cameras. Sure there might be cheaper brands out there but I needed to buy ASAP and if possible be installed the same day of purchase plus they offered 12-months installment plan with 0% interest. I couldn't believe why I didn't buy one before. I think that if you and your spouse goes to work every day and the kids are always left with just the nannies, it would help to have a CCTV at home.

I'm happy with Rover Systems.  If you want to purchase from them directly you can go to Home Depot stores. You can also choose cameras and HDR to bundle them. 

I'm not a techy person but I do have a set of important questions to consider should you decide to get a CCTV.

1. Purpose

Why do you need it in the first place? For me, it is a priority to see how the yayas treat my kids. I can also monitor if the yayas follow my routines, at the same time reduce loss of valuables at home. It's important to be clear on its purpose. 


2. Budget

How much can you afford? How many cameras do you really need? What areas do you want to cover? Where do your kids stay during the day? Where do you put your valuables? I know it can be cool to have all areas at home with cameras but IF you have to be frugal a bit choose the locations wisely. Skip the maid's room, give your yayas some privacy too.

If you will use the cameras for business then you might need a clearer lens for better facial identification. That can be expensive too. 

By the way I forgot to mention that installation has a price too! I have asked around and they seem to give me the same amount - lowest is P1,500 per camera. Unless you can unleash the handy-man in you! 


3. Monitoring

Is remote monitoring possible? Can you use your mobile phone to do that? Do you need high speed internet at home and where you want to remotely monitor the cameras? 


4. Recording 

Reality is that we cannot sit in front of the TV (or smartphones) and watch them 24/7. What is your capacity to record? How long will the recorded videos be kept before it is deleted on its own (overwriting). It would be great to have the DVR capability to store 4 weeks of recorded footage. In this way you can back up the date and review to investigate issues. 


5. User-friendliness

Are you the only person who will need to access the system?  How user-friendly will it need to be? As easy a possible! Better if your kids could manage it too! Why on Earth you want something so complicated? 


Remember that CCTV won't always give you a conviction - example most thieves are too smart to allow you to take a picture of their faces. But if the CCTV is well-monitored, it will allow you to increase the likelihood of either capture thieves, or reduce loss or being at home as quickly as possible. 

For me, it kinda gave me some sense of security. I'm guilty of watching them from the office every hour. :) 

Refrigerator Oatmeal Recipes

Okay so some people are asking me about Refrigerator Oatmeal pictures I posted on FB and Instagram. 

I came across this website (http://www.theyummylife.com) in Pinterest and made one myself. I tried doing the Choco Banana first. I loved it! It's super easy to make! Just mix the ingredients together and leave in the ref overnight.


Here are the six original recipes:

Banana Cocoa Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info: 245 calories, 5g fat, 56g carbs, 10g fiber, 13g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         1 tablespoon cocoa powder

·         1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute any preferred sweetener)

·         1/4 cup diced ripe banana, or enough to fill jar (approx. half of a small banana)

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cocoa powder and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add bananas and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

Banana Peanut Butter Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info (using PB2 and no honey or sweetener): 264 calories, 5g fat, 55g carbs, 8g fiber, 15g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         1 tablespoon peanut butter (may substitute PB2 powdered peanut butter)

·         1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute any preferred sweetener)

·         1/4 cup diced ripe banana, or enough to fill jar (approx. half of a small banana)

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, peanut butter (or PB2), and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add bananas and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

Mango Almond Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info: 207 calories, 4g fat, 47g carbs, 7g fiber, 12g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         1/8 teaspoon almond extract

·         1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute any preferred sweetener)

·         1/4 cup diced mango (approx. half of a small mango)

In a half pint jar or container, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, almond extract and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Add mangoes and stir with fork until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

Apple Cinnamon Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info:  210 calories, 4g fat, 48g carbs, 8g fiber, 11g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute any preferred sweetener)

·         1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, or enough to fill jar

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add applesauce and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

                                               

Blueberry Maple Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info: 215 calories, 4g fat, 48g carbs, 8g fiber, 12g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         2 teaspoons maple syrup (more or less to taste)

·         1/4 cup blueberries (or enough to fill jar)

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add blueberries and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

Raspberry Vanilla Refrigerator Oatmeal

Nutritional Info: 230 calories, 4g fat, 51g carbs, 8g fiber, 11g protein

·         1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats

·         1/3 cup skim milk

·         1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

·         1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds

·         1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         1 tablespoon raspberry jam, preserves, or spread

·         1/4 to 1/3 cup raspberries (cut each berry in half), or enough to fill jar

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, vanilla, and raspberry jam. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add raspberries and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or as long as 2-3 days. Eat chilled.

Now they have 8 new flavors! My kids love them too so you might want to prepare your baby food with these recipes!

Check them out here: http://www.theyummylife.com/8_muesli_flavors


Enjoy!

It's a season to be traffic......

Okay so Christmas Season is here once again and it's very difficult to drive around the Metro. Aside from the slow traffic, it's hard to find parking slots and restaurants are always busy too! But every weekend we want to go out with the kids since they spend their weekdays at home. 

So where to go? What to do?

One thing that I always love doing with the fambam is hanging out at public parks. My favorites are Sunken Garden (U.P. Diliman), Ayala Triangle Gardens (Bel-Air Makati) and Highstreet (BGC Taguig). 

We love playing badminton or frisbee, eating or simply just running around. Kids love running! Sometimes we bring the kids' walkers and scooters too.    

Next time we shall try flying kites together! I'll share where's the best place for that.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the twins from last weekend at High Street: