May 2022 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Solane shares easy eats for newbie parents

Be well-fed and ready to conquer parenthood with dishes you can easily and quickly whip up with Solane.

For first time parents, nothing beats the excitement and joy of seeing their new bundle of joy. However, first-time parenthood also means exhaustion from the erratic feeding-crying-sleeping-changing, dealing with a whirlwind of emotions, and adjusting to the trial-and-error nature of raising a tiny human.

Amid all the chaos of navigating a new life milestone, it’s important to stay well-fed to be able to have the energy to deal with the needs of a newborn, on top of taking care of other household duties.

But who’s to say that new parents should settle for fast food deliveries? Here are nutritious meals first-time parents can easily prepare:

Wraps.

Handheld meals are best when you’re up and about, scrambling from one room to another. Parents who have their hands full will appreciate a quick bite when the new boss of the house is asleep.

To make a basic wrap, heat up your tortilla wrap, put the savory filling of your choice – it could be as simple as reheated beef, pork, or chicken or canned tuna, then add some greens and vegetables.

Explore different fillings and flavors of meal wraps here.

One-pot Meals.

One-pot meals make sure you get your fill of grains, vegetables and protein in one go – no need to figure out how to mix and match dishes, devote hours of cooking separately or wash lots of pans and plates.

Perfect as a weeknight dinner, one-pot meals such as rice bowls, pasta or casserole dishes, are surefire ways to enjoy your meal while still cutting down on chores.

Be inspired by these one-pot meals.

Heat-and-eat Meals.

Enjoy homecooked meals while still saving on time and energy when you do the practice of meal prep once or several times a week.

You can cook your favorite ulam on a weekend, divide them into several portions good for one meal, then store them in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, simply pop in the microwave!

Explore the basics of meal prepping here.

Aside from exploring easy and filling recipes, equipping the kitchen with appliances and tools that help cut down on prep time and cleaning will greatly help first-time parents. As first-time parents begin their parenthood journey, baby-proofing the house also extends to the kitchen.

With so many things happening all at once, having a safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG gives first-time parents one less thing to worry about. Make sure your LPG is verified Solane because copycats and illegally refilled tanks are at risk of leaking, which may cause massive fires and endanger your home and family. Verified Solane LPGs go through the Timbang Challenge to guarantee that you get what you paid. They are also subject to stringent safety standards from the plant to the time they are welcomed to your homes to ensure that they are not a threat to your growing family.

Spend more time cherishing moments with the family when you’re confident about the safety of your kitchen. To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline – (02) 8887-5555, send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe) or the Solane Facebook page, or place their orders through the Solane app. Customers may also place an order through the Web Ordering Platform.

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

#BakeItTilYouMakeIt: Our Baking Mama Gift Set from Ka Tunying’s

As a working mom, I try not to let my hectic work schedule get in the way of my kids’ enjoyment. Things like freshly baked desserts served right after a family meal are what treasured childhood memories are made of.

However, baking is not always easy, right? Stocking up on ingredients and shopping for essential utensils can be tedious and time consuming. If only baking could be made a bit easier…

Well, Ka Tunying’s got something for busy moms who also want to try their hand at baking: the Our Baking Mama Pack!

This sweet little package contains an apron, a wire whisk, a baking mitt, a rubber spatula and a 500-gram brownie pre-mix, essentially a starter kit for a baking mama.

And here are the goodies that were brought about by this gift set in mere minutes.

Awesome, aren‘t they?

All I had to do was pour the contents of the jar into bowl and mix in 3/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 3 beaten eggs until just combined. Then I divided the batter into two separate baking pans – one of which I topped with just chocolate chips and the other I topped with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. After that, they went into a pre-heated 350-deg F oven and baked for a little over twenty minutes.

Once they’re done baking, I let them cool down for a few minutes then cut them into squares. Upon serving, I topped the brownies with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

My kids loved them!

So mommies, get a headstart on your baking adventures with the Our Baking Mama Pack from Ka Tunying’s, available for just Php999 this May. To order, call +63 995 2376684 or +63 917 1038673.

Got fellow momshies whom you’d like to treat with something special? Why don’t you gift them with other gift packs from Ka Tunying’s such as:

Kitchen Queen Mother (Php999): includes an apron, a food tong, a wooden ladle, a cooking mitt, a 250-ml jar of Ka Tunying’s Gourmet Tuyo and a 220-gram jar of assorted pasta shells
Break Ka Muna, Ma! (Php999): includes 3 pcs sugar cookies, a double-wall mug, a 120-gram jar of ground coffee, a 370-gram jar of butterscotch and a 120-gram jar of choco crinkles
As Sweet as You, Mom (Php249/6pcs | Php369/9pcs): special Mother’s Day cookies

Sumptuous snacking at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

Did you welcome the loosening of quarantine restrictions and the prospect of being able to dine out?

I know I did!

Aside from the assurance that the pandemic is steadily easing its hold on the metro, the added freedom to wander about has allowed me and my friends to meet up for a sumptuous snack at one of my new favorite haunts: Silverspoon.

A cozy and hidden spot in a busy food haven

This little cafe tucked away in a quiet side street near the busy food hotspot Tomas Morato Avenue is the brainchild of young entrepreneur Decie Montefrio, who transitioned her thriving food delivery business during the pandemic into a lovely brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves a combination of Filipino and intercontinental dishes.

I just love its minimalist aesthetic and comfy furnishings, it offers you a bright yet cozy setting for a satisfying meal or a light repast, whether you’re going solo or with friends.

Plus, the place also offers WiFi access so you can enjoy a change of scenery as you study or do some remote work here.

Expanded menu to include snackables

Recently, Decie and her team expanded Silverspoon’s menu to also include lighter dishes, perfect for a quick lunch or snack in between meals.

These include tasty sandwiches accompanied by a side of fries and housemade sauce, as well as mouth-watering appetizers and a kid-friendly pasta dish which can be paired with Silverspoon’s signature handcrafted drinks. Check them out!

Tapa Burger (Php265). Tender slivers of savory cured beef on cucumber and tomato, topped with julienned greens.

Mushroom Burger (Php265). Silverspoon’s vegetarian sandwich option with thin mushroom slivers sauteed in garlic on cucumber and tomato topped with crispy-fried veggies.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Php275). Crispy Southern-fried chicken breast fillet on cucumber and tomato topped with crispy onion rings and julienned greens.

Fish Fillet Sandwich (Php290). Crispy fried fillet of fish on cucumber and tomato topped with crispy onion rings and julienned greens

Grilled Sausage Sandwich (Php310). Cheese-filled Hungarian sausage on cucumber and tomatoes topped with crispy-fried veggies.

SS Clubhouse (Php380). Generous layers of bacon, ham and egg with cucumber and tomatoes in between slices of lightly toasted bread served with a side of crunchy potato chips.

Buffalo Chicken Wings (Php250). Juicy fried chicken wing pieces covered in Buffalo glaze (your choice among 3 levels of spiciness) and served with housemade aioli.

Filipino-Style Meatball Spaghetti (Php285). A delight for kids who love sweet-style spaghetti, especially with the giant cheese-filled meatball at the center.

Ube Macapuno Cheesecake (Php245). Two Pinoy dessert flavors – ube and macapuno – combined in one decadent cheesecake.

Brewed Coffee (Php115). Freshly brewed from Arabica beans with Sagada, Kalinga, Barako, Hazelnut and Macadamia variants, available hot or iced.

Chocolate (Php120). Silverspoon’s Signature classic thick and comforting chocolate, available hot or iced.

With such delicious inclusions to Silverspoon’s menu, it’s definitely all-set to be my all-day foodie haunt.

So the next time you crave for some snackables and want to hang out somewhere comforting and cozy, grab a friend or two and drop by Silverspoon to get that spoonful of happiness.

Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting event held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the attendees.

Check out my previous posts about Silverspoon:

Silver Spoon PH — ‘Tis the start of the season for fam celebrations with Silverspoon

Silverspoon Kitchenette — 3 reasons to treat your Valentine to a meal at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

#ItsAnIllosThing: Buffet Weekends at Illo’s Home, Greenhills

During the past two years which saw the world reeling from the pandemic crisis, celebrations at home offered a few, much-needed bright spots for Pinoys.

These occasions modestly spent with family and a few close friends gave us a look back into what our pre-pandemic lives used to be and a promise of what we can look forward to once this crisis is behind us.

For many of us, Illo’s Party Trays were a great part of these home celebrations during quarantine. Founded by food connoisseurs Chef N and Anne Rovillos in December 2019, this venture showcased the possibilities that good food presents to people who are stuck at home for celebrations.

Guided by its principle of families dining at home as they celebrate life everyday, Illo’s Party Trays launched its “Dine at Home,” “Celebrate at Home,” and “Date at Home” concepts.

These feature great-tasting, hotel-quality food delivered by Illo’s own fleet from its cloud kitchens and commissaries to anywhere in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Antipolo, Cavite, Laguna, Tagaytay, Batangas and some parts of Pampanga and Quezon, enabling people to have the means for merry-making with their nears-and-dears in the safety of home.

Illo’s Party Trays’ novel concepts generated social media buzz which further drove this food delivery service to remarkable growth.

With the pandemic slowly but surely easing its hold on the country, and with more urbanites looking for reasons to go out for their celebrations, Illo’s now offers venues where they can enjoy a superb dine-in experience: Illo’s Home.

The first of these restaurants opened in BF Homes Paranaque in February 2022, bringing an excellent selection of local and international cuisines to its dining public.

The second outlet of Illo‘s Home opened a month later at Greenhills Elan Hotel, where diners can enjoy the same menu of scrumptious fare that Illo’s has become known for in a homey yet decidedly posh setting, which include walls with cascading water feature and displays of paintings by local artists.

To add one more reason for the metro‘s foodies to venture out of their homes and dine out, Illo’s Home hosts Weekend All-Day Buffet at its Greenhills branch.

Here, foodies can enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat spread of appetizers, entrees and desserts for just Php1,200++ per person. These include crowd favorites from Illo’s Party Trays such as: Crispy Binagoongan, Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Seafood Paella, Baked Penne, Baked Salmon, Beef Kare-Kare and Roast Beef.

So treat yourself and your loved ones to a memorable celebration of food and life at Illo’s Home Greenhills. You will discover that the moment you spend with great food and great company, is, well, an Illo’s thing.

Illo‘s Home Greenhills is located at the Upper Ground Floor, Greenhills Elan Hotel, 49 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan. All-Day Buffet is served during weekends: lunch from 10am to 2pm and dinner from 5pm to 9pm.

Book your table by calling these numbers:

0969 230 0735 – Dan
0956 508 7588- Mau
0947 594 4117 -Alex

To stay updated on Illo’s Home’s offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

To order from Illo’s Party Trays, visit its website or call 02 8522 9268. For more details, follow it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Tiktok.

Disclosure: I attended an Influencer Event held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were not paid for by the attendees.

A boss-level treat for moms: #TrueBoss Gift Set

What’s your idea of a true boss?

In my career which spanned over two decades, I was lucky enough to have been managed and mentored by women who encouraged my curiosity, nurtured my drive and celebrated my achievements.

To me, they are true bosses.

At home, moms take on the same roles for their family:

Moms manage the family’s schedule and ensure that everyone has what they need to do well.
Moms optimize various resources for the family’s benefit.
Moms cultivate their kids’ talents and support them to achieve their full potential.

With these roles, we could say that moms are the true bosses of our families.

Well, true bosses deserve boss-level treats from time to time, right?

How about healthy and refreshing teas from True Boss?

These drinks contain fruit enzymes made from fermented fruits and vegetables and are packed with nutrients that help the body perform better by aiding digestion and giving the immune system a boost.

Instead of refined sugar, True Boss drinks make use of cane sugar which is easier for the body to process.

Lastly, fresh fruit toppings give the drinks some added taste and texture.

Here are some of True Boss’ tasty beverages that are definitely good for everyone, especially moms:

As a special treat for moms and the rest of the fam, these four drinks are available in a True Boss Gift Set for just Php599!

So give your mom a healthy and refreshing tea break, one fit for the True Boss of the family! Order online or visit or call any of these True Boss branches:

E. Rodriguez: +63 2 79002076 | +63 906 2945070
West Avenue: +63 2 77473171 | +63 916 2709916
Wilson: + 63 2 75271451 | +63 966 3276351
Mall of Asia: +63 2 77464608 | +63 967 4524087

To stay updated on its products and offers, follow True Boss on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Camille Prats’ share tips to make kids love eating veggies

“I really used to struggle kasi hate na hate talaga ng kids ko dati ang veggies – ayaw nila yung taste. Taste is so important for kids, so I ensure na dapat na-eenjoy nila mga sineserve ko.”
Camille Prats

Have you sat with your kids way past mealtime just to make sure they eat their veggies on the plate? How about resorting to bargaining more gadget time for just one more bite of that carrots? Well, you’re definitely not the only momma doing that. Even celebrities like Camille Prats have to do a bit of negotiating just to get her kids to eat their veggies.

Luckily, she shares some handy hacks with Spot.ph to do the trick without the crying, the bargaining, and the unnecessary drama that fills mealtime.

Here are 3 easy peasy ways to get your kids to eat their veggies according to Camille:

Oh My Gulay! May Gulay! – Instead of only serving your kids veggies, partner your kids’ meals with Tang Fruit & Veg. It comes in two flavors: Orange Carrot, which has the Vitamin C from oranges and Vitamin A from carrots, and Dalandan Malunggay, which has the Vitamin C from dalandan and the Iron of malunggay. Tang Fruit & Veg has the delicious taste of fruits AND the nutrition from veggies in a drink that kids love! Camille can vouch this – her kids love its taste so much, they actually ask her for it themselves! Yummy na, masustansya pa! Oh My Gulay! Shop the NEW Tang Fruit & Veg here.
SmartMom Recipes – No need to work hard, just work smart! Incorporate veggies in delectable recipes that you know your kids will surely love. Your kids won’t notice that veggies are actually the main ingredient because of its delicious taste!
Appearance is key – Kids are very visual so it’s really all about making their plate look fun! Focus on making veggies look appetizing by using creative shapes and brightly colored bowls to increase their appetite. You can even add in their favorite animal or cartoon character for that extra wow factor! You can go as simple as making trees out of broccoli or more complex as making pirates from cucumbers– the idea stays the same: make it fun!

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

HBO drama series THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE premieres on May 16 on HBO and HBO GO

An extraordinary tale of a moving and spellbinding love unfolds in the new HBO Original series The Time Traveler’s Wife. The six-episode science-fiction and romantic drama premieres same time as the U.S. on Monday, May 16 at 9am on HBO and HBO GO, with a same day 10pm encore on HBO. A new episode will follow every Monday.

The genre-bending drama series expertly weaves themes of love, loss, marriage, and survival – in a story that defies the laws and logic of time.

Rose Leslie (HBO’s Game of Thrones) is Clare Abshire, fiery, clever, unstoppable – and for most of her life she has had an amazing secret. At six years old, Clare meets Henry, the future love of her life – and who, as a time traveler, is actually visiting from the future. Fourteen years later, when Rose wanders into the library where Henry, played by Theo James (Divergent) works, claiming not only to have known him all her life but also to be his future wife, a magical romance ensues that is as sprawling and complicated as Henry’s attempts to explain his “condition.”

In addition to Rose Leslie and Theo James, The Time Traveler’s Wife also stars Caitlin Shorey and Everleigh McDonell as younger versions of Clare Abshire; Brian Altemus and Jason David as younger versions of Henry DeTamble; as well as Desmin Borges as Gomez, and Natasha Lopez as Charisse.

An HBO and Warner Bros. Television production based on the book by Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler’s Wife is executive produced by writer Steven Moffat, director David Nutter (HBO’s Game of Thrones, The Sopranos); Sue Vertue (Sherlock, Coupling) and Brian Minchin (Doctor Who, Torchwood) through Hartswood Films; and Joseph E. Iberti (HBO’s Watchmen, Boardwalk Empire).

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

Not yet on SKYcable? Fill up this form to apply.

Apply NOW

Treat mom to Manila Ocean Park’s Under the SEAfood Buffet for an advanced Mother’s Day celebration

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’m sure we’re all looking for ways to make it a day to remember for our moms.

The most important women in our lives deserve nothing but the very best on their special day, right?

The traffic jams during the mad scramble for our go-to restaurant haunts on May 8 will also stress our mamas out.

So why don’t we treat our moms to a truly memorable time at Manila Ocean Park the day before Mother’s Day?

On May 7, from 4pm to 9pm, with Manila Ocean Park’s Under the SEAfood Buffet (Php2,299/adult | Php1,839/kids 11 years old or younger), our moms and our loving families can look forward to:

A Scrumptious and Sustainable Seafood Dinner.

The whole fam can feast on the sea’s bounty with a delicious buffet spread laden with classic faves and fresh takes on Philippine and Asian seafood dishes as well as local produce, all ably catered by Hotel H2O’s Makan Makan Asian Food Village.

A Tour of the Park’s Well-Loved Attractions

Awaiting the family’s enjoyment – both the young and the young-heart – are six of the park’s educational and interactive attractions. From a trip into the watery depths at the Oceanarium and Jellies Exhibit, a sojourn to Antarctica for the Penguin Exhibit and the Christmas Village, to the playful forays into the Super Toy Collection and World of Creepy Crawlies, there’s something to catch everyone’s fancy.

Manila Ocean Park Reopening — Christmas Village

Meet and Greet with Manila Ocean Park’s Mermaid

Let’s make our moms’ fairytale fantasies come true with an encounter with Manila Ocean Park’s mesmerizing and magical mermaid.

Plus, our moms also get their very own special flower souvenir from Manila Ocean Park to commemorate their special day.

A pre-Mother’s Day celebration at Manila Ocean Park is a great way to trear our mamas to new and exciting experiences while showing them our love and appreciation.

So what are you waiting for?

Set up your family’s advanced Mother’s Day celebration at Manila Ocean Park today. Book your tickets here.

Do take note of these details:

Event will be held on May 7, 2022 from 4pm to 9pm at the Oceanarium Area.
Registration starts at 3pm.
Tour of attractions starts at 4pm and ends at 6pm.
Dinner buffet will be served from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Children below 2 feet are free of charge.

Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Book your tickets for your Manila Ocean Park visit via Klook.

For more news and updates on its attractions and offers, follow Manila Ocean Park on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Manila Ocean Park: