What? Potatoes come in different forms? The answer is, YES!  But first let me tell you about the time I fell in love with potatoes.

 

When I was a toddler, the potato is the first vegetable I ever ate and actually loved!  It was an introduction to the wonderful healthy veggie world.  I loved it because it didn’t taste bitter nor smelled funky.  And that’s what I did for my children, too!  I started their veggie journey with the simple yet super nutritious potatoes!

 

The humble spud is essentially a super food. Did you know that the nutrients in potatoes help boost our energy and strengthen our immune system? They are a good source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, and minerals such as protein and iron. All of which help keep us strong and protect us from common illnesses.  Yummy and healthy. That’s what the entire family needs!

 

And speaking of taters, make sure you’re consuming top-quality U.S. potatoes. They are delicious, versatile, easily available, and affordable. U.S. potatoes can be used in all types of dishes and cuisines. It’s your all-around kitchen partner.

 

Potatoes can be enjoyed fried, boiled, baked, steamed, grilled, and many other ways! This brings us to the initial question… Did you know that potatoes come in different forms?  I also was not aware of this. Then I read up more about this veggie I consume almost every day. Here’s what I found out.

 

U.S. Fresh / Table-stock Potatoes – these are the potatoes most of us are familiar with.  This is what we see in stores everywhere.  Did you know that there are more than a hundred U.S fresh potato varieties, but they fall under these seven categories: russet, red, white, yellow, blue-purple, fingerling, and petite. Now, U.S. fresh potatoes are not always available in the Philippines. Good news is they’re currently in stock in supermarkets in Manila and Cebu! Check them out in the produce section of the store nearest you.

 

U.S. Frozen Potatoes – these come in different varieties and are easily available in leading supermarkets nationwide. U.S. frozen potatoes use state-of-the-art technology to meet high industry standards and are instantly quick-frozen to lock in the flavor and nutrients. Some of the cuts available are frozen half shells, wedges, slices, straight cuts, crinkle cuts, loop/curly or popularly known as twister fries, lattice/basket weave, tater tots, and hash browns. We usually buy straight-cut fries and hash browns.  I am more comfortable cooking them at home because I know exactly what kind of cooking oil and how much salt I use. 

Good old-fashion Fries with Catsup or Mayo

 

U.S. Dehydrated Potatoes – I also didn’t know about this type until I read about them!  When you hear the word dehydrated it automatically means lack of water, right?  Dehydrated potatoes are real potatoes just with all the water removed.  U.S. dehydrated potato products deliver all the flavor, nutrition, and versatility of potatoes in a more convenient package – and are the perfect ingredient for everything from soups and salads to main dishes and desserts.  If you’re a newbie, like me, try making the basic mashed potato. It’ so quick and easy, you’d be done in minutes! Here in the Philippines, you can usually find them in baking supply stores. 

Suggested Recipe: Quick and Easy Mashed Potato

 

As a mom who loves to cook, knowing that one of my favorite veggies has this much to offer makes me giddy with excitement! U.S. potatoes truly present a world of POTATOBILITIES in the kitchen.

 

Make sure to include U.S. potatoes in your next grocery run! Find more information on U.S. potatoes by visiting their website. Like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more potato trivia and recipes.

 

I’m hosting a giveaway, so watch out for it on my social media. 

2020 is just around the corner, and yet we are still in quarantine plus a lot of unfortunate events happened all throughout the year.  Covid-19 hit us hard, typhoons Rolly and Ulysses devastated a number of cities and contributed to a number of homeless and hungry kababayans, a huge fire in our neighborhood displaced some 500 families, and a good friend passed away recently.

I could go on but still I am grateful for the gift of family and true friends, for God's provisions, for good health, for roof over our heads, for a stable job for my husband, projects here and there, and capability to help others in need.  

Thinking about it, there are still a lot to be thankful for and worth celebrating lalo na sa dadating na Pasko.  Kaya naman #TuloyPaRinAngPasko and what better way to celebrate it than to have the star of the Christmas table, ang Virginia Festive Hams and samahan na rin natin ng Virginia Noche Buena treats!

Virginia Food, Inc. helps us all be reminded that no matter what circumstances we may be in, this season is worth celebrating.  For me, the real reason for the season is the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  Even if 2020 wasn't that too good (for how can I feel good if others don't), I am still grateful that we're still alive.

Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko.  Though we cannot celebrate the way we used to like family gatherings and reunions, we can still celebrate safely at home or give gifts to our loved ones.  A good idea would be giving them one of these delectable Virginia Festive Hams:

• Virginia Pear-Shaped Ham
• Virginia Chicken Pear-Shaped Ham
• Virginia Hamon de Bola
• Virginia Black Forest Ham
• Virginia Season's Delight Ham
• Virginia Pineapple Ball Ham
• Virginia Brick Ham
• Virginia Chinese Fortune Ham

When you order a kit, you'll receive the complete set of ingredients to be able to make Quaker Oats Cream Pie Recipe except butter and egg.  The recipe card is even easy to follow!  The result is even better!  Instructions said to use a mixer, but I don't have one so I mixed it by hand.   Make sure that while you're mixing all the ingredients, you're pre-heating the oven to get ready for baking.
Look at that!

Whether you have something to celebrate or just craving for cakes, yet you still don't want to go out, you can always order cakes of all kinds through Cake Rush PH!  Amazing right?  I know almost everything is now sold and available online but to shop for cakes online is something delightfully new to me and I'm sure for you too!
I had a chance to experience this due to my cake cravings one time.  I received Mommy Lucy's Red Wine Moist Dark Chocolate Cake in a can with pearl design (which are all edible by the way) and it instantly melted in my mouth!  Perfect for coffee or tea.  It has a sophisticated taste of the healthier dark chocolate and wine - a combination I love.


But that's just one of the many cake bakers and cake flavors you could shop for on Cake Rush PH.  The newest cake delivery platform in Metro Manila supporting local bakers who offers different cakes and designs for different occasions and budget range.

Here are the reasons why I recommend Cake Rush PH:

1.  Variety of Cake Suppliers - As mentioned Cake Rush Supports local bakers and this includes the following:

• Red Ribbon
• Goldilocks
• Conti's
• Mommy Lucy's
• Bakepertise
• Cheesecakerie
• Fraiche Patisserie
• Homebake Mom
• Indulge Patisserie
• Shamy Cakes
• Sweet Samthings

2.  Availability of flavors - Since we all have different tastes or favorites, Cake Rush PH knows this as well.  Choose from Salted Caramel, Carrot, Chocolate, Mango, Oreo, Red Velvet, and Ube.

3.  Offers different cake types - Although their name suggests only cakes, they also have cakes in cans, brownies, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and also cookies.  So whatever dessert you crave for, they have something to offer on their website.

4.  FREE Delivery within Metro Manila - Yes you read that right!  FREE delivery on ALL orders within Metro Manila.

5.  Same day or Next Day delivery schedule - You may even select the time slot of your cake delivery.  Plus you could also choose your cakes to be delivered for later (up to three days from date of order).

6.  Safe and Convenient Payment Channels - All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted.  You can even pay via bank transfer.  It's safe at the same time really convenient!

7.  Personalize cake with a message - Not on the cake itself though, but you can write your message on the card that Cake Rush Ph will provide.

8.  Available Customer Service Channel - What's great about this is you can contact someone for your inquiries and concerns because they have customer service team.  They are open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9AM - 7PM.

Aren't these enough reasons why you should get your cakes from Cake Rush PH?  I could go on loves!  You could even choose cakes based on your budget!  So there's absolutely a cake for everybody!  So on your next celebration or craving, shop online via https://cakerush.ph!

When I hear Heinz, I remember ketchup.  Ikaw din for sure!  But did you know that they've have been producing oriental sauces since 2002?  We didn't know about it until now!  It's being served all over America and Asia and now it's made available here in the Philippines!

It's about time that Filipinos taste the Asian Sauces from one of the global leaders in condiments, Heinz.  We all love food especially Asian or fusion cuisine at home.  From simple meals to
gourmet dishes, Heinz Asian Sauces provide enhanced taste and premium flavours to your cooking.
Heinz has been serving up quality, taste, convenience and innovation like no other food company on
Earth. It has to be Heinz.

In this season of giving and merriment, one of the things that come to mind is giving meaningful yet practical Christmas gifts to our loved ones.  When you say meaningful, you really think of the receiving end not what is just convenient for you.  Tip ko, to know if what you're giving will be well-appreciated, you ask yourself these questions:

If I receive my own gift, will I appreciate it?
Will my gift be really used?
Is this something he/she/they will like?
Will this just add clutter?

If you're satisfied with your own answers, then you've passed the meaningful gifts tests.  One of the meaningful gifts you could give this Christmas is the gift of food!  Food is consumable, it will not be just a clutter to one's home, it's practical, and it's something that can be shared.  Afterall, that's what Christmas is all about giving, sharing, and loving!  All because the true star of the season was born, Jesus Christ!

For this, give a special gift of love through food.  Choose Virginia Chistmas Bag Of Treats!

If you're looking for a thoutful yet convenient way to make someone feel special with your love gift this Christmas, food is always the way to go!  I'm glad to know that Virginia Food, Inc. has us modern Filipino families who are intentional and also budget-conscious in mind when they came up with giving affodable yet thoughful gifts to ou loved ones, family, friends, and colleagues too!

For as low as Phop150 you could already put a smile on someone's face, pinch someone's heart, and make tummies full!  A happy Christmas indeed right?

Here are the available Virginia Christmas Bag of Treats:

This year's Christmas is different from my usual Christmases in the past 15 or more years.  I used to receive Christmas baskets full of goodies for our Noche Buena, receive 13th month pay, and multiple bonuses among other things.  Last and this year is different because I now live under the economy of God, I'm also fully dependent on my husband, and I'm a newly anointed stay-at-home-mom.

Christmas is a season of thanksgiving, of indescribable joy and of giving and receiving.   It is a happy season to remember loved ones and thank them for bringing meaning and sparkles to our lives.  These special people, our husband, kids, parents, friends, and families also deserve to be shared back the sparkle and celebrate the Yuletide with a feast they will love.

Make your Christmas celebration more extra special with Welch's Sparkling Juices.  No need to worry because your merriment drinks may be fizzy but guilt-free!  These alcohol-free beverages may be enjoyed by both kids and adults.  And YES, they are even safe for moms-to-be!

Heart-healthy and delicious, Welch’s Sparkling Juices are pressed from the freshest Concord and Niagara grapes across America by farmer-families. This 150-year tradition of Real Grape Goodness has made Welch’s one of the most loved beverages in the world, especially by Filipinos who enjoy organizing great moments with friends and families.

Available in both Red and White Grape flavors, Welch’s Sparkling Juices are easy to mix with other beverages to concoct a variety of unique bubbly mocktails. Add a splash of your favorite juices and discover the goodness in each sip.

Each bottle of Sparkling Juice is tastefully prepared and packaged, making for an excellent and convenient Christmas gift.

Truly, it’s an unforgettable holiday feast when you share the sparkle to those who make life sparkling.

A Product of USA, Welch’s products are widely available in retail stores across the Philippines. To learn more about Welch’s Sparkling Juices and recipes this holiday, visit www.welchs.com or follow Welch's PH in FB and IG.

You may have heard this a number of times already but no one worries more in the household when it comes to kids’ overall health and well-being but the mother.  That worrier but warrior is ME. 

I fight my worries by making sure my kids eat healthy and are protected. But I can only do so much because there are things beyond my control. For example, I can’t always monitor if my kids touch or rolled on the floor during play then accidentally put their fingers inside their mouth. Another thing, kids in school sometimes share their baon with each other but being the protective mom that I am, I can’t help think what if the food or water or any liquid he takes from others are contaminated? Naku, lalo na my very active toddler who likes exploring and eating (at the same time!)  I worry that his stomach’s immune system may not be strong enough that he’ll get tummy aches due to various bacteria and viruses on surfaces he touches.

I’ve rounded up three simple and easy ways to protect our children’s digestive health and boost their immune systems.

• WASH. Proper washing of hands — teach your kids by being a good example.  It’s not enough to just say, as parents, we should also do — walk the talk.  Washing of hands is important before and after eating, after using the restroom, and especially when our hands get soiled from touching dirty surfaces. Bacteria and viruses breed in surfaces everywhere that when our children come into contact with, easily multiply and make our children sick. Putting their unwashed fingers in their mouth when eating could lead to serious tummy aches.  Next, the restroom is one of the most unsanitary rooms one could find, especially in public areas. It’s best to always wash hands as often as possible.

• WASH AND COOK FOOD THOROUGHLY. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and meat should be cooked all the way through. Washing our fruits and vegetables helps remove bacteria, especially E.coli. Peeling and cooking them will also help get rid of some bacteria which may cause stomach illnesses.  When it comes to meat, cook it all the way through. Rare meat may not suit the sensitive tummies of our kids. Cooking kills the bacteria in raw meats which sometimes cause food poisoning. Let’s always do best practices when it comes to preparing and cooking food for our family, especially our kids.

• GIVE ERCEFLORA PROBIBEARS.  I read that to protect our kids’ digestive health, we have to give our kids some good bacteria. That’s why I give them Erceflora ProbiBears every day.  

What is it?  It is a probiotic food supplement that contains 2 bacteria strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis — in an enjoyable and sugar-free bear.  Both my two younger kids love it because it’s vanilla-flavored and it looks cute! They take this without knowing it’s a food supplement. 

When my grade-schooler first tried it a few years ago, he thought it was one of his yummy rewards for being a good boy.  We used to have health challenges with him especially when he was younger.  He used to complain about his tummy.  We asked a pediatrician friend about it and she recommended Erceflora ProbiBears to us. Then I also learned about it from my mom friends online, so I said, we should give it a try.  Since then, he hasn’t complained of any tummy concerns.

Now the little one also enjoys it as much as his Kuya does.  It’s safe to use from age 3 up to 12.  Taking Erceflora ProbiBears every day protects our children’s tummies.

But remember that even if this is such a powerful supplement, it’s still best to practice basic measures of preventing stomach illness mentioned above.

Try Erceflora ProbiBears too for happy tummies of our kids.  It’s available in leading pharmacies nationwide.  For more information, visit www.ercefloraprobibears.com.

Superb Cath Inc., the company behind trusted seafood brand Seaking celebrated its 20th anniversary at Makati Shangri-la Hotel last November 8, 2019.  I'm honored to be invited and witness the Uy siblings, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Nancy, and Shirley, tell their brand story which started two decades ago.  It was definitely a touching story of love for family and helping each other no matter what the circumstance could be.
Seaking had a humble beginning when the siblings sold bangus (milkfish) from their father's fishpond.  They would debone the fish themselves and sell them to supermarkets on their own.  With a small capital, they built Seaking from ground up.  Now, Seaking has become an industry leader and a household name.

Seaking is the first wild salmon retailer in the Philippines.  Seaking products can be found in more than 1,500 supermarkets, restaurants, and hotel chains in the Philippines. Their products are also exported to countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and USA among others. From a home-based operation back in 1999, Seaking has grown to encompass a 20,000sqm processing plant which will be fully operational in January 2020.  “As the great Walt Disney said, all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. We intend to continue delivering quality products and through our passion we have not only captured the hearts of the Filipinos but their trust and confidence in the Seaking brand,” Jennifer Uy Ampon shares.


The first Seaking poduct I've ever tried was, of course, the milkfish, and then our favorite Cream Dory.  Now, they have a number of other products such as Squid, Bottled Bangus, and their newest offering which I've also tried a few months ago, their Wild Alaskan Keta Salmon line.  What started as a frozen milkfish business has developed into a full-blown seafood line.

The Seaking Wild Alaskan Keta Salmon Line
The healthiest type of salmon came all the way from Alaska, they are wild and not farmed.  The difference is wild salmon is healthier because it's born in rivers and then the ocean as adults.  They feed with the healthiest seafood as well, making it rich in Omega 3 which helps imporve heart health, enhance the immune system, and even reduce the rist of diabetes.  Currently, it offers four (4 cuts of Wild Alaskan Keta Salmon: Chunks, Belly, Steak, and Slab.

During the event, we were served different dishes using Seaking's Wild Alaskan Keta Salmon.  Here they were:

In order to ensure the highest product standards, Seaking has continuously adhered to the
following principles:

1. Fresh frozen seafood
2. Strict production process
3. International food standard approved operation
4. Fish is carefully selected, deboned, marinated/smoked, packed/labeled, and vacuum sealed. They follow a first in, first out policy so the fish is always fresh.

All the attendees had both fun and touching moments during the celebration of Seaking's company anniversary.  Who wouldn't get excited with all the prizes that were given away!  Imagine, cash, new top of the line mobile phones, and many more were taken home by very lucky attendees.  Sadly, I wasn't one of the luckier ones.  But to be there is already a huge blessing!  Why?  I took home Seaking products which my family and I love so much!  Thank you so much Seaking for inviting me and congratulations on your 20th anniversary.  A good company with a good heart like yours will surely last!

For more information about Seaking, check their website: https://www.seaking.com.ph/ and follow them also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seaking.ph/ .