Get Creative this Noche Buena with These Recipes from Mr. Hat Gulaman

     Christmas season is a time for family, celebration, the much-anticipated Noche Buena feast and a lot of get-together parties. This year, why not go beyond the usual dishes and surprise your loved ones by getting creative with some unforgettable recipes?

     Mr. Hat Gulaman makes it easy to add a festive twist to your holiday table. With its wide variety of flavors and versatility, it’s a great ingredient for crafting show-stopping dishes that can bring everyone together.

Get Creative this Noche Buena with These Recipes from Mr. Hat Gulaman
L: Christmas Holiday Jelly R: Snowy Coffee Jelly

Soup & Go® at Ajinomoto Konbini Experience

     Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day. It sets the mood for how you start your mornings and essentially becomes your fuel to kickstart your tasks, may it be in school, at the office, at home, or anywhere you’re meant to be for the day. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), considers this as a vital part of one’s twenty-four hour period, especially here in the Philippines, as it launches its first easy-to-make breakfast that takes less than a minute to prepare! This is the perfect companion for those on-the-go, and also for those who want a hassle free quick breakfast that doesn’t compromise nutritional value and that savory flavor.

     For the first time ever, a live demonstration on how to prepare the Ajinomoto Soup & Go® was celebrated at the Konbini. (A Japanese term for convenience store) Located in Market Market Taguig, the pop-up store is a site to see in the middle of the mall’s open space near the terminals, that mimics a real life convenience store which sells Ajinomoto products. This will surely catch everyone’s attention and excite you to explore what is in its glass walls. More highlights of the launch and what to expect in the Konbini & Go after the jump.

Soup & Go® at Ajinomoto Konbini Experience

(L-R:) Kazuki Kyoya, Category Manager, Marketing, Koichi Ozaki, APC President, Mika Makino, APC Director for Sales, Marketing and Public Relations

Discovering the Perfect Cake for Every Type of Mom this Mother’s Day

     Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and we want to give something special for all the mothers and mother figures in our lives. Why not celebrate this special day with a cake that best fits her unique personality? With Red Ribbon’s Specialty Cakes, you have a wonderful selection of cakes that will surely match Mom’s taste.

     Each cake offers flavors that moms love, from classic and indulgent, to something sweetly different. Whichever you choose, you can find the perfect cake to celebrate with your own mom. Find out your mom’s unique personality and discover the cake that best fits her!

Discovering the Perfect Cake for Every Type of Mom this Mother’s Day

The Secret Ingredient to Cool Summer Desserts: Discover Mr. Hat Gulaman

     Summer is a time for celebration, relaxation, and lots of fun under the sun, but as the temperatures continue to rise and the summer heat intensifies, so does the search for the perfect refreshing treat. What better way to enhance these moments than with a cool, colorful treat that everyone can enjoy? Whether you are craving for some Halo-Halo, Sago’t Gulaman, or fruit coolers, one ingredient stands out for its versatility—Mr. Hat Gulaman!

     Mr. Hat Gulaman makes it easy to prepare vibrant desserts that are not only delicious but also visually appealing. From family picnics to beach parties, the array of flavors like orange, lychee, and strawberry ensures that there is a Mr. Hat Gulaman to match every occasion.

The Secret Ingredient to Cool Summer Desserts: Discover Mr. Hat Gulaman

Make Sweet-Sarap Moments and Memories with Kids’ Favorite Jolly Spaghetti

     Kids and kids-at-heart agree: Jollibee’s classic Jolly Spaghetti makes for the jolliest memories and moments. Whether you like to enjoy the fun-filled staple’s meatiest, cheesiest, and sweet-sarap goodness on its own or pair it with other Jollibee favorites, the Jolly Spaghetti is truly undeniable. Not only is it uniquely delicious, what makes kids and parents keep coming back to it is the fact that the meal is most often at the heart of ultimate and comforting bonding moments.

     Sharing a plate of Jolly Spaghetti is simply an act of love. There’s a sense of childlike wonder in anyone’s eyes whenever you open a highly awaited and mouth-watering box of Jolly Spaghetti. Your kids feel the care and warmth when you mix the iconic spaghetti sauce for them, serve their share, and wipe off any smudges that happen whenever you gamely dig into the favorite. If there’s anything that truly makes the strongest—and jolliest—connections, it’s definitely the Jolly Spaghetti.

Make Sweet-Sarap Moments and Memories with Kids’ Favorite Jolly Spaghetti

Max's Restaurant Celebrates 77th Anniversary

     Max’s Restaurant, the iconic Filipino restaurant chain famous for its Sarap-to-the-Bones® Fried Chicken is celebrating its 77th anniversary this October 18. The brand looks back to where it all began amidst the ashes of the Post-World-War-2 era, when Stanford-educated teacher Maximo Gimenez would host his American GI friends for drinks in his home along Scout Tuazon, Quezon City—with his niece Ruby Trota giving birth to the signature fried chicken recipe, with its iconic pairing of Banana Ketchup and a tangy dash of Worcestershire Sauce to go with a hearty side of kamote fries and piping-hot dinner rolls.

     Since then, this home-crafted dish has grown to become a sentimental favorite among generations of Pinoy families, both in the Philippines and across such geographies as the United States of America, Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore, where Max’s has likewise spread through the decades to bring pride to Filipino cuisine. Thus, as a way to give thanks to both new and loyal fans, special deals and surprises are lined up throughout the entire month of October.

Max's Restaurant Celebrates 77th Anniversary

Papa Sweet Sarap Banana Ketchup Now Fortified with B-vitamins to Give Kids Energy and Immunity

     Papa Sweet Sarap Banana Ketchup is here to bring an innovative new ketchup formula to the classic sweet sarap taste Filipino kids know and love. The new Papa Sweet Sarap Banana Ketchup contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B6 (pyridoxine), part of the B-complex of vitamins that perform vital tasks in the body. B1 helps release energy from the food we eat, making it extremely important for active kids. B2 is also essential in giving the body energy as it converts the food we eat into glucose to give us energy, and B6, a vitamin that is essential for the healthy functioning of the nervous system, boosts kids’ immune systems, protecting them from common childhood ailments and other health issues.

     This is especially important, as some Filipino kids still suffer from malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies in Vitamins B1, B2, and B6 – the same vitamins Papa is proud to fortify their new ketchup formula with.

Papa Sweet Sarap Banana Ketchup Now Fortified with B-vitamins to Give Kids Energy and Immunity

Papa Sweet Sarap Banana Ketchup is now fortified with Vitamin B-Complex micronutrients B1, B2, and B6 to keep kids’ energies high and immune systems strong!

Herbalife Virtual Run 2021

     The pandemic and mandatory quarantine have confined us in our homes for more than a year already. Some of us became less productive when it comes to physical activities while others stayed focused on their health and wellness journey. Apart from eating healthily, I always make sure to move my body first thing in the morning. As much as possible, I avoid sitting down unless I'm working on content creation. This kind of physical activity doesn't end there as I also include yoga or weight lifting in my exercise routine five times a week.

     This month, I'm so excited to incorporate another kind of physical activity in the form of running. It's my first time to join a run hosted by Herbalife Philippines called Herbalife Virtual Run that started last October 1 until 31, 2021. Now in its second year, the challenge is part of the premier global nutrition company’s Get Moving With Good Nutrition campaign that seeks to give people the push toward healthy active living. More details and tips on how to prepare for this run below.

Herbalife Virtual Run 2021

Practical Ways to Manage Stress from Herbalife Nutrition Experts

     When I ask someone the question "how's life going lately?" The immediate answer I always get is the word stress. We are all experiencing stress because of the pandemic and it's been affecting our well-being. Stress is part of daily living, but it can become a major cause for concern when it starts to affect one’s health. There are several ways to manage it, and we can start by being more mindful of the food we eat, and taking better care of our mental health.

     Last July, I was invited to the monthly online media engagement of Herbalife Philippines to join  Herbalife Nutrition Institute Chairman Dr. David Heber and Herbalife Nutrition Global Fitness Advisory Board Member Shayamal Vallabhjee as they share ways how to deal with stress. Both Dr. Heber and Vallabhjee have been speakers in separate Herbalife Nutrition eWellness Tour events presented by Herbalife Nutrition Philippines. The monthly forum aims to promote nutrition education by inviting experts from the fields of science, nutrition, health, and fitness to talk about the importance of good nutrition and having a healthy active lifestyle in achieving overall health and wellbeing. Read more highlights of this online event below.

Practical Ways to Manage Stress from Herbalife Nutrition Experts 
image from Pexels

Tenya Offers Farm to Table Japanese Menu

     I can still remember my first dining experience at Tenya Tempura Tendon, Market Market courtesy of my very good friend, Ruth Dela Cruz. We had an awesome catch-up conversion over flavorful Japanese dishes inside this cozy restaurant. I ordered my favorite shrimp tempura while she introduced me to her default order, spicy salmon salad. The latter became my favorite too because of the explosion of taste that you'll crave over and over again. 

     Great news to all the Tenya fans, Japan’s number one Tempura Tendon chain, seeks out new ways to partner with local food producers in their restaurants in the Philippines, with the launch of their farm-to-table initiative, dubbed Tenya Lokal. Through this initiative, Tenya wishes to provide an immediate solution to the nation’s farmers and fisherfolk, who have experienced a sharp reduction in the sales of their products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To formally launch this initiative, we were allowed to taste some of the delightful dishes that are part of the Tenya Lokal menu, during a virtual luncheon held on July 16, 2021. 

Tenya Offers Farm to Table Japanese Menu

Smart and Healthy Snacking with Gullón

     Did you know that one of the secrets to healthy eating is to eat frequent small meals throughout the day rather than indulge in one or two big meals? Snacking provides energy boosts in-between meals and helps curb your appetite so that you are less likely to overeat when mealtime comes. 

     No, don't go for junk foods, sugary and salty options during snack time because you can also enjoy snacking the healthy way. Smart and healthy snacking are great for managing blood sugar levels, after-exercise meals, and a better mood. Be smart about your snacks and they will even help you lose or maintain your weight and give you nutrients for a fitter, healthier you!

Smart and Healthy Snacking with Gullón

7-Eleven Day 2021 50% off on Grocery Items and Essentials

     It hasn’t been an easy year for most of us, and so 7-Eleven is inviting all to celebrate every win, big and small, through #711Day, its annual birthday treat for customers! From July 7 to 11, 7-Eleven is slashing 50% off from the original price on over 250 of its signature food items, snacks, liquor, and groceries while other non-food items will also be at 50% off for one-day only on Sunday, July 11. Whether it’s your favorite snack, drink, or health and beauty must-have, expect to score a great deal on this week-long discount dash!

     I've seen family and friends visiting the nearest branch of 7-Eleven stores yesterday and they are sharing photos and first dibs on sale products. I'm so excited to go there on Sunday because I've seen my favorite brands that are ready up for grabs, yay! So here are the exciting deals that you should not miss, scroll down below :)

7-Eleven Day 2021 50% off on Grocery Items and Essentials

Herbalife Nutrition E-Wellness Tour on Inner and Outer Nutrition

     Have you ever wondered why you easily get tired as the years go by? I think it's common for both men and women in their late 30's to experience changes in the biological functions of the body. When I was in my 20's I feel so energized even if I only have less than six hours of sleep. I can think normally and don't feel exhausted doing hour chores from day til night. Fast forward today, I'll be turning 40 soon and even if I have a restful sleep at night, my body tells me to take a nap mid-afternoon or when it's dinner time. I also noticed that my appetite goes up and down depending on my hormonal cycle.

     As the body ages, it undergoes many changes and so does the nutrition it needs. While a balanced diet and an active lifestyle are important at any age, there are challenges specific for each age that need to be addressed. In the most recent Herbalife Nutrition E-Wellness Tour, Susan Bowerman, Senior Director, Worldwide Nutrition, Education and Training of Herbalife Nutrition, and Laura Chacon-Garbato, Chairwoman of the Outer Nutrition Advisory Board of Herbalife Nutrition, shared how eating habits and lifestyle choices can affect our body and skin. Sharing some highlights of the event that you need to know and understand after the jump!

Herbalife Nutrition E-Wellness Tour on Inner and Outer Nutrition

6 Hearty Italian-Inspired Dishes Filipinos Love

     It’s no secret that Filipinos have a deep appreciation for Italian food. Pasta dishes are not just a fixture at our parties and fiestas, they’re also part of the regular menu at our most popular fast-food restaurants—and we tend to look for it whenever we crave an alternative to rice or noodles. We also know that there are few better ways to feed a crowd and make sure that everyone comes away with full bellies than with pizza. You can also find Italian restaurants everywhere in the country, even in the most far-flung of regions.

     We love this cuisine so much, in fact, that we’ve put our own unique spin on some of its most iconic dishes to better suit our palates. This phenomenon, called “cultural morphing”, has been the catalyst to many of the Italian-inspired dishes that we enjoy regularly today. Here are 6 of them:

6 Hearty Italian-Inspired Dishes Filipinos Love

Photo by Angele J from Pexels

Jollibee Family Thanksgiving Month this May

     One of the many things I'm thankful for despite the challenging times brought about by the pandemic is the time I'm spending with my family. Because we are always at home, I've seen the good and the bad every single day. It's an opportunity to know them better and learn from them. Time spent with the family is the heart of the message that Jollibee wants to convey as it launches the Jollibee Family Thanksgiving Month celebration this May.

     Through the Jollibee Family Thanksgiving Month, the country’s number one fast-food chain aims to start a new tradition to enjoin everyone to openly and actively express their gratitude towards their family and loved ones. I was invited to the launch via a virtual presscon last April 29, headlined by its long-time Jollibee endorser Anne Curtis who was officially introduced as the campaign’s ambassador. More stories about this after the jump!

Jollibee Family Thanksgiving Month this May

Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy the Herbalife Way!

     Our brain, like the rest of our body, needs to be checked regularly. When I say check, it's like evaluating if one or all of the key components of mind health is present like strong memory, ability to think and reason, steady mood, and agreeable personality. With the recent events and the uncertainties happening, our mental health may not be in good shape. I presume that some of you have experienced signs of stress, anxiety attacks, and sleep disturbances because of our current situation. 

     It is very timely that Dr. Small, who is a member of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board, talked about “Healthy Aging: Brain Fitness for Healthy Adults” at the most recent Virtual Wellness Tour hosted by Herbalife Nutrition Philippines. As part of the discussion, he shared his views on effective ways to improve memory and help maintain cognitive functions. He also provided relevant information on how balanced nutrition, sustained physical activity, and sound lifestyle practices will safeguard our ability to perform mental processes. Sharing the highlights of this online event below :)

Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy the Herbalife Way!

Feature: Stevia Brands in the Philippines

     It has been two years since the day that I decided to commit to a healthy lifestyle and to be able to do this, there are so many factors that I needed to consider. One of the most important things is to have a healthy relationship with food. I believe in the saying that "You are what you eat" and in order for me to stay on what is considered a healthy, proper, and nutritious diet, I have to lessen or drop one thing- SUGAR!!!

     It's really, genuinely so hard especially for someone who has been indulging in cakes, pastries, chocolates, coffees, milk teas, and other treats loaded with sugar since the time of his or her existence. Another reason why sugar is a big part of my diet because we are a family of bakers. I was born and raised by bakery owners. From the time I opened my eyes, all the yummy and sweet treats were already in sight. Who can say no to the smell of freshly baked bread from day until night?! So yes, growing up eating slices of bread, cakes, pastries, and other foods with sugar or high sugar content is really hard to avoid. Too much sugar in my diet has negative effects so finding an alternative or a substitute is a must and this is where I discovered STEVIA. Know more about Stevia and the brands you can find in Philippine supermarkets and groceries after the jump.

Feature: Stevia Brands in the Philippines

Good Food and Bonding with Purefoods Slow-cooked Spaghetti Sauce w/ the #1 TJ Hotdog

     Staying at home for nine months made me a better person and a skilled mom. I learned how to manage my time and unlocked a new skill called multitasking. It may sound shallow for some, but for a mom like me who has relatively short experience in motherhood, time management, and multitasking between a home-based job and being a hands-on mom is something I can be proud of. Some find it hard to juggle parenting and career at the same time so it's a bonus for me because I can squeeze in both every single day. 

     Many moms like me take time to read through the different experiences of their fellow moms to learn the do's and dont's with their family, especially kids. I belong to a community of moms who shares their experiences, especially on child-rearing and managing the household. I followed their advice like learning new tips, tricks, and life hacks on cleaning the house, cooking, and all things home. Speaking of cooking, life became easier when I discovered ready to eat meals while browsing in e-commerce stores. One of my discoveries is the Purefoods Slow-cooked Spaghetti Sauce w/ the #1 TJ Hotdog that is ready to serve in 10 just minutes! Sharing more of my experience with this new discovery that I'm sure the kids will truly love below :)

Purefoods Slow-cooked Spaghetti Sauce w/ the #1 TJ Hotdog

Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe

     I was browsing the Instagram explore feed when I stumbled upon a banana bread recipe. I love bananas and bread that's why I decided to click on the photo and check the recipe. To my surprise, it's not the regular banana bread that's perfect for afternoon tea or coffee. It's vegan! Have you tried this kind of food yet? According to healthline.com, Veganism is currently defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, be it from food, clothing, or any other purpose. 

     Therefore, the simplest explanation is that vegan food simply equates to plant-based. In order for you to cook vegan food, all the ingredients must be animal-free, and using plants like fruits, vegetables including nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans to name a few is what all you need. This vegan banana bread is so easy to make and made up of five ingredients. It's filling because of the whole grains used instead of the usual bread flour. So without further ado, here's my version of Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe, read more below.

Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe 

Beef with Mushrooms for Media Noche with the help of PayMaya

     In just a few days, we will be saying goodbye to 2020. What a year it has been! A lot has happened and we are all hoping for a better year ahead of us. But before we write our resolutions, let's make the last day count by preparing a memorable feast at home on New Year's Eve. Not sure what to serve for Media Noche? Check out this simple recipe that you can serve during special occasions at home. It only needs a few ingredients plus it's so easy to make. This is one of our favorite Media Noche food recipes that I'm sure your family will truly enjoy. 

     It consists of less than 10 ingredients that are easy to find in the supermarket. But before we go into the details, did you know that there are exclusive deals that you can get when you pay with PayMaya for your Media Noche groceries? Yes, that's why using your PayMaya account to purchase ingredients for this and other recipes are the most convenient and rewarding way. Let me share the recipe and some tips for a safe and hassle-free Media Noche Celebration to welcome 2021 below!

Beef with Mushrooms for Media Noche