New Year, New Food Discoveries

Meal preparation may seemingly be a daunting task year on year, but have no fear. There’s always room for new food discoveries and hacks. Foodies and homemakers alike are always on the lookout for something different yet easy to prepare and definitely, palate and tummy pleasers. A great break from having delivered meals! Make part of your New Year’s resolution to try out these new, life-easing products in the market by San Miguel Foods.

Go Veega. For vegans, try familiar comforts such as Veega’s meat-free Tapa and Tocino, which are fully cooked and completely free of animal meat and by-products. For flexitarians, there are Korean-inspired faves such as Meat-free and ready-to-eat Bulgogi and Spicy Soy Garlic Balls. You’ll never miss out on flavor with these meat-free wonders.

Breakfast thy will be done. Rethink about skipping breakfast with perfect breakfast mates, Purefoods Deli Breakfast Sausage and Purefoods Beef Bacon. They are so good, you”ll truly want more. And beyond breakfast, these delicious products can also be served in a lot of ways.

Create “chicken’’ na chicken meals. Make meal preparation a breeze in 2022 with freshly marinated and ready-to-cook Chicken Timplados. Prepping meals can be done in minutes with any of these easy chicken sarap variants- Magnolia Ready-to-Cook Fried Chicken, BBQ, Tocino, Teriyaki, Spicy Fried Chicken, Oriental Wings, Spicy Wings, Inasal and Roasters (marinated whole chicken) in Lemon Herb and Smoked Pepper. The menu will never be boring with the selection of variants cooked as is or leveled up with some twists.

Develop a Pasta-stic Habit. Have pasta anytime with Purefoods Spaghetti Sauce. Just reheat and toss in cooked noodles or level up with addition of some ingredients. Either way, you’ll get consistent, satisfying pasta sauce each time.

Make meal preparation and dining with the family an enjoyable food adventure, even allowing enough me time in-between with these new discoveries. Also, check out www.homefoodie.com for recipe ideas with these products!

#mmmakeityourway

FBN 10th Annual Christmas Party: A fun-filled and meaningful day

The Filipino Bloggers Network (FBN), one of the most active Philippine-Based community of bloggers and influencers in the country, held its 10th Annual Christmas Party virtually last December 12.

FBN currently has almost 2,000 members around the country and continues to expand as it provides a venue for Filipino bloggers to interact with other members even those based overseas. Moderating the discussions and posting opportunities from several brands are co-admins Divine RC and Richard Mamuyac and Lariza Garcia.

The yearly event serves as a venue to reacquaint with fellow members around the country, celebrate the holiday season and create great new memories. Just like last year, the gathering was conducted online and livestreamed within the official FBN group page. Aside from the exciting prizes given away during the virtual games and raffle draws, a couple of members received financial assistance to support them in their family medical emergency. Indeed, it was both a fun-filled and meaningful day at the same time.

Different PR groups and brands and individual sponsors were acknowledged during the event for supporting the online community in 2021 and hopefully for more years to come. This year’s virtual event is made possible by the following generous donors:

PR Partners - CAT PR, i55 Talent Hose, Page One, M2.0 Communications, Comm&Sense, ROAR Agile, GPS TV, Full Circle, Pro Communications Inc. Pro Solutions ,Full Circle and Ripple 8.

Brand and Individual sponsors - Pacific Sunrise, Goodah!, Cebuana Llhuillier, Glorious Blend, Rex Education, Gur Lavi Corporation (Telavi); Dyna Drug Corporation, Diana Stalder, Sagada Harvest, Stevia Natural Sweetener, a number of fellow FBN members and public servants like Rep. Eric Yap of ACT-CIS partylist, Rep. Joey Salceda (2nd District of Albay), Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District of Samar). Rep. Mike Defensor of Anakalusugan partylist, General Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Deputy Commissioner Randy Escolango of the Philippine Insurance Commission.

With the great support and opportunities that FBN received this year from partners companies and brands, the group is looking forward to more campaigns and activities that members can join and engage with in the coming new year.

Let us claim that 2022 will be a better year for all of us. Cheers for more success and blessings!

Healthy, Hassle-Free Holiday Bundles from The Goodwill Market

Tis the season to show you care by sending healthy goodies from The Goodwill Market to family and friends. The gift baskets have been carefully curated to fit different lifestyles, filled with wholesome products that focus on health and wellbeing. 

What’s more, they can be delivered safely and conveniently to your loved ones doorstep via orders on The Goodwill Market website. You don’t have to leave the comfort and safety of your home to send out healthy and high-quality gifts this Christmas. 

The Goodwill Market is an online shop owned and operated by Dygen Pharma Distribution Corporation (DPDC), a subsidiary of Dyna Drug Corporation. Its mission is to make premium brands more accessible to Filipino consumers with online orders and fuss-free delivery. 

“This is a very valuable e-commerce service especially as everyone stays safe inside their homes” says DPDC General Manager May Panganiban. “Our gift packages contain a wide selection of health and wellness products that are sure to add a spark of joy to the holidays.”

Here are some of the gift selections that you can send as corporate giveaways, or as personalized gifts to your loved ones.

1. The Holiday Flavor Pack delivers goodies that are fit for the season’s feasts. It contains a selection of imported pasta sauces for easy meals made special.

2. Work from Home (WFH) is a healthy spread of snacks and ingredients that are perfect for who like to bond over good food while working. Wholesome meals and snacks are more accessible with tasty treats and premium ingredients.

3. The Lunch Box Buddies is the perfect gift for parents who shower this kids with love and care. It’s got everything they need to make bath time fun while taking care of baby’s sensitive skin. It’s also got kiddie vitamins for that extra boost of protection.  

Make your Christmas list and check it twice. Find out which gift sets from The Goodwill Market will fit your friends and family members best, or check out the other items that are available at www.goodwill.market and its official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and have these wholesome gift packs delivered directly to your recipient hassle-free.  Book your corporate giveaways, customized orders and special requests through customer@goodwillmarket.ph

Christmas Feast Ideas That You'll Love

There are two traditional feasts that Filipino families often look forward to during Christmastime: the Christmas Eve Noche Buena and the one that follows on the 25th itself, which is often held as part of a festive family reunion. Either way, expect those in charge of preparing the dishes to pull out all the stops to serve the most delectable food on the table for everyone to enjoy.

And if that happens to be you, chances are high that you already have some recipes in mind to make each of these feasts a gastronomic delight to remember. They might even be all-time family favorites, or even hand-me-downs from your great-great grandparents.

Having said that, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to learn a few more recipes just to keep things fresh and put something different on the table for Christmas. Two that are guaranteed to make you look like Master Chef are Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce and Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

The recipes are as follows:

Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 slices white bread crusts removed, broken into pieces

• scant 2/3 cup whole milk

• 2 1/4 cups finely minced ground beef (or a mixture of meats, such as pork, chicken or turkey)

• 1/2 cup meat pâté

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Plain all-purpose flour, for dusting

• Olive oil for frying

FOR THE BLACK TRUFFLE SAUCE:

• 1 tablespoon + 2 tsp butter

• A drizzle of olive oil

• 1 bunch spring onions scallions, finely chopped

• 1 carrot finely chopped

• 1 heaped cup button or oyster mushrooms finely chopped

• 3 1/2 tablespoon plain all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup white wine

• 2 cups beef chicken or vegetable stock

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary

• 1/2 cup double heavy cream

• 1/2 teaspoon Umbria Black Truffle Sauce

Instructions:

1. Place the bread in a bowl and pour over the milk. Set aside to soak.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the meat and the pâté. Add the soaked bread and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined. Form meatballs by rolling walnut-sized pieces of the mixture between your hands. They should be about 1oz each. Dust the meatballs in flour.

3. Heat some oil in a shallow pan over a medium-high heat and fry the meatballs just until they are golden. Do not overcook at this stage as we are going to finish them in the sauce. Set aside.

4. To make the sauce, heat the butter and olive oil in a pan over a medium-low heat and add the finely chopped spring onions, carrot and mushrooms. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the onion is transparent. Reduce the temperature to low and add the flour to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to make a roux. Cook for about 4 minutes and then add the wine, continuing to stir until you get a paste and the alcohol has evaporated, then add the stock with the salt and rosemary. Keep stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens, then add the cream, stirring so that the mixture doesn’t split or curdle. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes.

5. Put Umbria Black Truffle Sauce into the sauce, mix and fold and serve hot.

Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter, divided

1 cup mushroom (75 g), sliced

1 pinch salt

1 pinch pepper

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup milk (240 mL)

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (110 g)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)

2 cups shell pasta (400 g), cooked

TOPPINGS

½ teaspoon Umbria truffle oil

1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Preparation

1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are softened. Remove from the pot.

2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour to the pot. Whisk until the flour is toasted, approximately 2 minutes.

3. Add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce is thickened.

4. Whisk in the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses and season with salt and pepper.

5. Add the cooked pasta and mushrooms. Mix until the sauce coats the pasta well.

6. Top with Umbria truffle oil, fold and add chives.

Of course, it’s understandable that you’d stop at nothing to make these year’s Christmas celebrations as grand as possible. After all, last year’s Holidays were mostly muted due to the pandemic. Now, the scourge that is COVID-19 is still here, but the country is showing signs of recovery and the quarantine restrictions are easing as a result.

However, that doesn’t mean you and your family should be letting your guard down. Rather, continue to be vigilant even as you think of ways to gather everyone this Christmastime—ideally, sharing some sumptuous Meatballs in Umbria Black Truffle Sauce and servings of mouthwatering Three-Cheese Umbria White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy Pinoy food favorites with Ka Tunying’s

Who doesn’t love classic Filipino food? Now, you can enjoy your all-time favorites right at the comfort of your own homes with Ka Tunying’s Easy-To-Heat #PanlasangMakabayan holiday bundles.

I was able to try the Holiday Heats set which consists of Arroz Ala Tunying, Bangus Sisig, and Beef Caldereta.

Arroz ala Tunying is perfect for breakfast or merienda. You may add your favorite toppings like egg or chicken.

Bangus Sisig is already good on its own, but you may serve it with egg.

Beef Caldereta gives you a rich, tasty dish that is perfect with steamed rice.

All in all, the dishes are of good quality and gives an authentic lutong-bahay taste. 

What’s more, they are so easy to prepare. Just reheat via stove or microwave. In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy these comfort food. This is perfect for people who don’t like the hassle or don’t have the time to cook their meals.

At PhP 895, this Ready To Heat Trio is also a perfect as a gift this coming Holiday season!

For orders and inquiry, you may contact: 09952376684. 

You can also check out their social media accounts for their other holiday bundles: 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/katunyingsph

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/katunyingsph/

#KaTunyings #KTHolidayGiftBundles

Kapatead: A not so typical milk tea in the South

Good news for milktea lovers from Las Pinas and nearby areas—you can now satisfy your cravings minus the guilt with Kapatead!

Now on its soft-opening, Kapatead Café + Bistro offers not just Classic milkteas, they also have healthier alternatives—the Dairy-free, Keto, and Weight-loss milkteas. 

I was able to sample three of their flavors—Wintermelon, Chocolate, and Red Velvet. Wintermelon is my go-to milktea for any brand, while I love anything that’s Red Velvet-flavored--and these ones didn’t disappoint. Their Chocolate milktea reminds me of the good old chocolate bars. I also like that their milkteas just have the right amount of sweetness.

Take note, prices of their milkteas start at PhP 99 only! What’s more, with every milktea you buy, Kapatead will give a meal for families and frontliners in need. So, you get to enjoy authentic milktea while helping the community! #HatingKapaTead #MilkTeaForACause

With Metro Manila under MECQ, Kapatead is available for deliveries as of the moment. Can’t wait for their physical store to open soon in BF Resort Village!

And for you dear followers, Kapatead has a special offer: BUY 1 milktea and GET ONE for FREE! Just add promo code GOTASTEBLOGB1T1 upon ordering in this link: bit.ly/3xXrLNP

Hotel Sogo embraces the new normal with innovations that lasts

Covid-19 has affected a lot of industries. While there efforts to move the economy forward, there are still businesses that feel the pandemic’s effect. With the hospitality industry being one of these.

Affected businesses doubled their efforts to adapt to the new normal by following heightened safety measures and investing on technological advancements for the protection of its guests and employees--just like how the largest and fastest-growing Filipino-owned hotel chain in the country did across all of its branches. 

“Here at Hotel Sogo, we are trying on things to improve the situation in our hotels as early as March 2020. We continue to research, invest, and develop innovative ways to upgrade our safety protocols especially in cleanliness and sanitation,” says Ms. Sue Geminiano, Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager.

Aside from the enhanced new normal protocols such as no contact fixtures and thermal scans, the remarkable changes and innovations that Hotel Sogo applied across its branches are: UVC disinfection in rooms, lobbies, and air-conditioning units, increased ventilation, microbial testing, Covid sniffer dogs, reduced touch points, and application of anti-microbial coatings in frequently touched surfaces. 

Through Hotel Sogo’s 11 So Safe Innovations, the safety and wellness of guests as well as its employees are prioritized. “This on-going pandemic helped us to take further steps in giving importance to safety. The innovation that I speak of are the development and improvement of amenities that revolves around the four major ways to prevent the spread of the virus and protect our guests like reduction of touch points, improve air quality, disinfection and testing. It is important to test all these protocols to make sure that all these innovations are really effective to keep our guests safe. We want our guests to feel safe and secure whenever they stay at Hotel Sogo. We will continue to protect our guests and develop more upgraded protocols even after the pandemic,” Ms. Geminiano added. 

More than just a hotel 

Hotel Sogo is also ramping up its efforts in helping Filipinos through its Corporate Social Responsibility program, Sogo Cares. Hotel Sogo is helping indigent communities who are in need of basic necessities, such as food, medicines and water. 

“Recently, we donated food packs with linens and towels to the fire victims at Manila. We also donated essential needs such as bottled waters, linens, pillows, surgical masks, pillow cases, and mattresses to the Philippine General Hospital with the help of AFP. We also gave assistance in different community pantries in Bulacan and Quezon City. We will definitely help those who are in need in these trying times. Even in GCQ, Hotel Sogo is still accepting frontliners, essential workers, repatriated OFWs, seafarers, and economic workers across all Hotel Sogo branches. We are also accommodating those who prefer long-term stay for their work purposes,” states Ms. Geminiano. 

Since 2015, Hotel Sogo, through its Corporate Social Responsibility program Sogo Cares, has conducted over 400 medical missions with 100,000 plus beneficiaries, led over 600 donations with more than 170,000 beneficiaries. 

For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter (@hotelsogo), and Instagram (@hotelsogo).

#HereAtHotelSogo #SoCleanSoGoodSoSafe #DahilMahalKitaGustoKoSaSogoKa

PH’s 1st stevia grower-manufacturer bullish on financial outlook despite the pandemic

Glorious, popularly known as the Philippines’s first stevia company, is positive on its financial outlook despite almost 2-years in the pandemic. 

 

As more and more people turn to healthier alternatives, sales of stevia products continue to grow. According to agribusiness finance giant Rabobank, stevia's sales are expected to hit $700 million worldwide in the next few years. 

 

Consumers in the Philippines can now get their calorie-free sugar needs from natural alternatives. Previously, stevia was restricted to the health food market without any FDA approval. Now, it is widely used as a natural substitute for artificial sweeteners in many products. 

 

“Stevia has been touted as a safe and healthy sugar substitute with proven health benefits. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits, including decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities,” said Maura De Leon, the woman behind Glorious, the country’s first stevia grower and manufacturer. 

While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar, but does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for people looking to lose weight but want to reduce their sugar intake. 

 

Stevia is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a small bushy plant that belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay and Brazil, but it can be quickly grown elsewhere. For centuries, the people of Paraguay add them to their foods as sweeteners, and countries like Korea, Brazil, China, Japan, and South America, have long used stevia. 

 

Stevia products such as teas, juices, healthy coffees, chocolate beverages and natural sweeteners, manufactured by Glorious, are approved safe by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) even for people who have diabetes. 

 

“Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you don't have to add much. It’s good to note that the Philippines is also catching up on the use of this natural sweetener in various food preparations,” added De Leon. 

 

Stevia is a natural sweetener taken from the leaves of a bushy shrub. The Stevia plant or (Stevia rebaudiana) has 150 species known to have originated from North and South America. Currently, it is produced by many countries, with China as the number one exporter of stevia products. It can also be purchased at garden centers for home growing. 

People who have diabetes can benefit from stevia. Choosing pure stevia extract can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and should be used in moderation. Stevia can also help cut down added sugar consumption, which can be beneficial for children. High sugar intake in children could lead to heart disease due to reconstructing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, contributing to children's weight gain. Substituting added sugar for stevia can minimize these risks. 

 

At the same time, moderate consumption of foods with stevia and other sweeteners can prevent adverse side effects and promote overall health. What’s even better is that you can add stevia to make healthy desserts which are diabetic and keto friendly. This is great for people who have a sweet tooth but can’t indulge because of health restrictions. 

 

Incidentally, all Glorious Blend beverages— from the 3-in-1, 5-in-1, 7-in-1 mixes, use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of their instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day. 

 

For more information about Glorious, the Stevia Company, check https://gidc.com.ph/.

 

Glorious Blend: Enjoy coffee without the guilt!

We Filipinos love to consume coffee, and it is much part of our daily lives. But there is concern over the amount of sugar that we put in our daily cup. For instance, the leading brand of 3-in-1coffee mix has 14.6 grams of sugar in one 20-gram sachet alone. Imagine how much sugar you’re taking in if you drink an average of three cups of coffee a day!

Sugar-free coffee to the rescue!

For health-conscious individuals, especially diabetics, turning to sugar-free coffee mixes seem to be the only option. This means enduring tasteless cups of coffee just to satisfy their caffeine fix —until Stevia came along.

 

Stevia is the low calorie, zero sugar sweetener that tastes so much better than artificial sweeteners.  Stevia is an herb with a sweet-tasting extract that comes from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It has been enjoyed since pre-Columbian South America where indigenous people used the herb to sweeten their tea and other drinks. 

 

The plant's taste stems from steviol glycosides--molecules which are 250–300 times sweeter than regular sugar.  It became popular among health-conscious individuals because stevia has a very low caloric content. This makes it perfect for dieters and people who are trying to lose weight. 

 

Moreover, Stevia makes coffee and tea taste so much better without adding any calories. 

Aside from beverages, Stevia is also used as an alternative sweetener when cooking or baking.

 

The health advantages of Stevia

Stevia is a safe, healthy sugar substitute that can sweeten up food without the negative health effects of refined sugar. It’s also associated with several impressive benefits such as reduced calorie intake, managed blood sugar levels, and minimized risk of cavities.

 

While other sugar substitutes like Aspartame have been linked with cancer, there's no evidence linking stevia to cancer since it is a natural ingredient. This means you can add stevia to dishes and drinks without fear that you’re taking too much sugar, or that you’ll get sick a few years down the road.

 

A glorious blend of beverages

For coffee lovers, it’s also good to note that locally-made Glorious Blend coffees and instant beverages have Stevia as its natural sweetener. The blend of natural and healthful ingredients make the drink not only refreshing and safe, but also good for one’s overall health.

The Glorious Blend boasts a full line of healthy drinks, including a 7-in-1 healthy coffee mix. This special blend is made with proven medicinal ingredients like Malunggay, Mangosteen, Calcium, Gotu Kola, and sweetened with Sweet & Fit Stevia. What’s even better is that the Glorious Blend 7in1 Coffee is non-acidic and promotes regular bowel movement. The Glorious line-up also includes the 3-in-1 coffee mix with Stevia; 7-in-1 choco mix; 4-in-1 coffee with Malunggay; 5-in-1 coffee mix with Brown Rice; and the MaxiTrim coffee. 

 

All Glorious Blend beverages use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. Be sure to drink Glorious Blend to keep you alert and energized throughout the day. What's more, Glorious Blend products are locally sourced and manufactured. Their company supports local farmers, stevia growers, and other agricultural communities.

 

So if you’ve been cutting back on drinking coffee because of health problems like diabetes or hyper acidity, Glorious Blend coffee mixes are here to help. You can enjoy all the aroma and flavor of freshly made coffee all day —without the guilt!

 

Now, you can drink coffee for better health! Glorious, isn’t it? For more information about Glorious Blend coffee mixes, check out https://www.facebook.com/gloriousblend

 

#1stSteviaCompanyInPH #PH1stCoffeewithStevia #GloriousBlend #NoSugarAdded #DeliciouslyNatural #SalgadoPR

Celebrate the holidays with classy and delectable treats from Aperitif

What better way to celebrate any occasion than to have a fancy spread of cheese, cold cuts, and other appetizing snacks.

This art of grazing has a become a trend in the Philippines—with local company Aperitif creating carefully curated and tastefully styled graze boxes that adds flair to any celebration.

Indeed, anyone who encounters Aperitif’s graze boxes will surely be in for a treat.

And so, we’ll check out some of their goodies that will make your Christmas feast truly sumptuous:

The Sweet and Savory Box that comes with a Singleton Whisky Pocket Scotch, famous Aperitif pastries like the cookies, sweet and savory cheese, and cold cuts. Perfect gift for someone who loves the best of both worlds. 

The Signature Grazing Box started the grazing trend in the Philippines. This is a medium graze box that has mini wine, choco honey, French breads like croissants and pain au chocolat, jams, cold cuts, and cheese. It's a nice gift for someone who loves to have a taste of Paris in the Philippines.

Aperitif is also catering main dishes that you can add to your Noche Buena. One highly recommended is the Herb Poulet.

Next is the cheesy parmessini Truffle Pasta. Pasta is tossed on a large Grana Padano wheel before placed in the packaging. 

Aperitif also has a Truffle Salmon Caviar Pie. It's a savory dish with caviar, gold leaf, truffle, and salmon. This is perfect with crackers and tea.

Now, for the sweet tooth. This is Aperitif's famous Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake. It has three layers of chocolate comes enclosed in a golden Belgian chocolate shelf. This is Aperitif's take on the tin can cake trend. It has been nominated as one of the best. 

The Ooey Gooey Cookies are bigger than your palm, and they have a lot of chocolate morsels in it so you better have to heat this. It comes in different flavors: Reese, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate Macadamia, and the classic Chocolate chip cookie. 

With these treats, Aperitif will make sure that every celebration will not just taste good, but look good as well. For more information, just visit www.aperitifph.com.