June 2022 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Paella Valencia from Mom & Tina’s

Which dish that, when added to your spread, automatically levels up your home celebration?

For me, it’s the paella.

It’s one the dishes brought over from Spain during our colonial days and it has since found its place in our local cuisine. It combines the use of rice (our staple food), seafood (which we have in abundance) and chicken (which makes it a complete and filling meal in itself).

Paella’s origins can be traced back to Valencia in Spain, and is widely considered as one of the regions cultural symbols. It takes its name from the wide and shallow pan traditionally used to cook it.

Local bakery cafe Mom & Tina’s also makes traditional homecooked dishes which also includes paella.

Its version of Paella Valencia has the same basic ingredients: rice, mussels, shrimp and chicken, which are sauteed in olive oil with garlic, tomatoes and chorizo. Squeezing some lemon juice into the cooked paella right before eating adds a zing of citrusy freshness to the dish.

For my fifteenth wedding anniversary celebration at home, I decided to pair it with my version of the Cheesy Baked Salmon, which resulted in a winning combination!

The briny and acidic tones from the paella perfectly complemented the rich taste of the baked salmon.

Well, this combo will definitely be included in my home celebrations from now on!

This Mom & Tina’s branch is located at FRDC Building, 106 Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C5), Bgy. Ugong, Pasig City. It is open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 9am to 9pm. For reservations, orders and inquiries, call +63 2 85711541 or +63 999 8850092.

Other branches are found at:

Tropical Palms Condominium, 103 De la Rosa St., corner Perea St., Legazpi Village, Makati City
Across ABS-CBN, 58 Sgt. Esguerra Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

Check out my previous posts about Mom & Tina’s:

Mom & Tina's Greenhills — Mom & Tina’s Greenhills

Classic Chinese Meal at EmERALD Restaurant

Where do you go for authentic Chinese food when you’re in the Manila-Pasay area?

Well, Hubby recently introduced our family to EmERALD Restaurant, situated along the historic Roxas Boulevard.

It’s one of those no-frills kind of Chinese eateries where occasions such as baptisms, weddings or graduation parties of loyal patrons are celebrated amidst a feast consisting of the fam’s favorite Chinese food.

From its round tables with their corresponding Lazy Susan turntables to help distribute the wide array of dishes served family style, to the frenetic energy as wait staff quickly serve EmERALD Restaurant’s signature dishes to their waiting diners, everything about this place is quite characteristic of much-loved, old-timey Chinese joints that we visited with our parents when we were kids.

During our family’s visit at this restaurant, our brood enjoyed a delicious and bountiful lunch which consisted of:

Spinach with Garlic (Php320 small | Php480 medium | Php1,020 large). A side dish made of spinach stir-fried with garlic.

Seafood Polonchay Soup (Php360 small | Php540 medium | Php1,080 large. Thick egg-drop soup made with spinach and seafood.

Three Kinds of Cold Cuts (Php350 small | Php525 medium | Php1,050 large). Platter of Chinese-style cold cuts which include asado (flavored with soy sauce, five-spice and sugar), century egg and seaweed.

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php320 small | Php480 medium | Php960 large). A popular wok fried rice made with pork, shrimp, scrambled eggs, peas as well as chopped scallions and carrots.

Beef with Broccoli (Php450 small | Php675 medium | Php1350 large). Beef strips stir-fried with garlic, ginger and brocolli.

Lemon Chicken (Php380 small | Php570 medium | Php1,140 large). Battered and deep-fried chicken pieces and served with a thick and sweet lemon-flavored sauce for dipping or coating.

Spare Ribs with Salt & Pepper (Php380 small | Php570 medium | Php1140 large). Marinated and deep-fried pieces of pork spare ribs seasoned with salt and pepper.

Camaron Rebusado (Php450 small | Php675 medium | Php1,350 large). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with sweet sauce.

Shakes (Php150). Icy shakes made with milk and fresh fruit.

What I love about eating at an old-timey Chinese restaurant is the layering of flavors, from the soup and sides to the mix and match of dishes in each bite. Also, given the family-style of food serving, it was a great way to introduce our kids to dishes that are new or unfamiliar to them.

Considering how many viands we ordered, I was initially doubtful if we could fully consume our spread. However, it turns out, I shouldn’t have worried at all because the fam finished off the meal with hardly any leftovers.

EmERALD Restaurant is located at Ground Floor, Gedisco Terrace, Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, open daily for dine-in and pick up from 6am to 9pm. For reservations and orders, call +63 2 70918137, +63 915 7073167 or +63 968 6009827.

To know more about EmERALD Restaurant, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Great Reads for Working Moms

We working moms have quite a lot on our plate, don’t we?

Juggling our myriad of responsibilities at work and at home does not leave us with so much free time for some well-deserved rest, much less for reading.

However, we should always make the effort to improve ourselves, especially in how we manage our careers and our family life, and taking in well-formulated advice from the experts will surely help us in being more effective in both important spheres in our lives.

So check out these books and see what insights they can impart to your work and parenting styles.

Books for Rocking It at Work

Bring Your Human to Work by Erica Keswin

Since the start of our careers, we have been taught to maintain a clear separation between our work and our personal lives.

Workplace strategist and business coach Erica Keswin debunks this myth by emphasizing the importance of relationships in the workplace and citing examples of leaders who embody human qualities of authenticity, openness and empathy, who still manage to be successful in their respective fields.

Bring Your Human to Work shows us how to break away from our idea of a cold and impersonal work environment and instead foster a sense of joy and loyalty to the workplace.

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Kick Some Glass: 10 Ways Women Succeed at Work on Their Own Terms by Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount

It’s one of the most dreaded concepts for many career women: the glass ceiling. Its the concept that, despite all your natural talent, all the skills that you’ve developed and all the work you have done and will ever do, you can only go so far in your career.

In Kick Some Glass, authors Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount dissects the barriers that women face during their climb up the corporate ladder -from both past and present perspectives as well as external and internal orientations – to enable budding women leaders to break through and make their mark in their fields.

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Don’t Pay for Your MBA: The Faster, Cheaper, Better Way to Get the Business Education You Need by Laurie Pickard

Sometimes, in the corporate world, having an MBA can open a lot of doors and move a lot of careers forward.

However, getting your graduate business degree can be a very expensive endeavor.

Businesswoman Laurie Pickard enjoins readers of Don’t Pay for Your MBA to skip this costly step and instead shares practical advice on how to take advantage of online education to obtain the knowledge they need to get ahead.

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Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business and Life by Gail Gaddis

For many women, getting ahead in the workplace can be a very daunting task.

However, advertising CEO Gay Gaddis takes inspiration from other trailblazing women, risk takers who developed their power through knowledge, hard work, excellence and good will, and owned their power to face their challenges as leaders in their families, workplace and communities.

She also shares her own experiences and recommends an action plan for more women to attain that same Cowgirl Power and showcase their mettle in both their work and personal lives.

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Glambition: Knocking Down Walls in Heels by Dee Rivera

It’s an uncomfortable truth that women tend to settle at work: they accept responsibilities that are not exciting for them or acquiesce to situations that may not be to their advantage. Glambition author and entrepreneur Dee Rivera refers to this behavior of settling for less than what you’re worth as “shrinking to fit.”

In her book, Rivera shares her personal journey towards self-empowerment as well as real-world advice in order to achieve this.

The book also contains real-life testimonies of women leaders to serve as examples for women int heir journey towards self-confidence and competency.

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Lunching with Lions: Strategies for the Networking-Averse by Katherine McGraw Patterson

There are times in business wherein success is not so much a matter of what you know but of who you know.

Networking – interacting with others to exchange information or to form connections with people who can help in your profession – is one of the most hated business activities.

Author Katherine McGraw Patterson puts this down to people not being taught how to network. To remedy this, she shares a Four-Step Beginner’s Guide for the Networking-Averse that will help professionals learn to love and harness the power of networking, and not feel like they are, she calls it, Lunching with Lions.

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Books for Rocking it at Home

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassion and Connected Children by Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer

We hear it more and more these days: if you can be anything, start by being kind.

More and more, the calls for unity, respect and compassion in our daily lives is growing while research shows that being connected and engaged socially are keys to successful and fulfilling lives.

Authors Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer recognize that equipping children with the skills they need to have a positive in the world starts at home. In their book, they outline ways to guide children towards the value of kindness as well as share stories of people who achieved fulfillment through living The Kindness Advantage.

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You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Work on a Budget by Erin Odom

As a working mom, you may find much fulfillment in your career. However, you might also be considering leaving the corporate world in order to be more present in your kids’ lives.

The Humbled Homemaker Erin Odom sheds some light on how You Can Stay Home with Your Kids by dispelling fears on being able to give your children while living on a single income. This may involve sticking to a budget, getting some side hustles, being creative on how to enrich and supplement your kids lives and connect with your spouse without breaking the bank, and more.

For career women who want get out of the rat race and into a more family-centered existence, this is an essential read.

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Understanding your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior: Simple Steps and Resources to Guide You Through the Journey by Angie Rumaldo

Adolescence is a rite of passage. For children, it is a time to test their boundaries. For us parents, it is a time to guide them towards being responsible and productive adults.

However, the period of your child’s adolescence is rife with struggle and misunderstanding.

Licensed clinical psychologist and psychiatric nurse practitioner Dr. Angie Rumaldo presents readers with a series of action plans to help correct common behavioral problems and sheds light on typical issues that children face at different phases in their growth and development.

With Dr. Rumaldo’s groundbreaking resource, you will have the essential help you need in Understanding Your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior.

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Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose and Performance in Younger Generations by Mark C. Perna

As parents, we may be at our wits’ end in trying to bring out the best in our kids and preparing them to become productive members of society.

However, this Why Generation is inundated with a lot of challenges: from the gap between the skills they developed over the years through their education and the ones that employers are actually looking for, their lack of knowledge on the rewarding career opportunities they can take or their disengagement from the modes of learning available to them.

Mark C. Perna illustrates how Answering Why can help engage, motivate and inspire the younger generation to achieve.

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Enjoy reading with Kindle

With a wealth of enriching and informative books waiting for you, I’m sure you’re raring to get into reading them. However, if you are concerned about the space you will need to store your growing library, or being able to bring your books wherever you go, getting a Kindle just may be the perfect solution for you.

Kindle is a line of portable and wireless electronic reading devices (e-readers) produced by online retailer Amazon.com. They make use of a display technology called electronic paper which produces a sharp screen image that resembles text printed on paper, ensuring an easy and comfortable read.

It is advisable to have a Kindle, specifically for reading, instead of relying on your other personal mobile devices because:

It is purpose-built for reading with a glare-free display that reads real paper, even in direct sunlight. You can also adjust its brightness to let you read comfortably – indoors and outdoors, day and night.

A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.

You get less distractions as you can highlight passages, look up definitions, translate words, and adjust text size—without ever leaving the page.

Ready to get this new nifty reading device for yourself. Check out your various options below!

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

Ready to shop for your books and Kindle devices? The good news is that you can enjoy great discounts on your Amazon.com purchases during Amazon Prime Day!

On July 12 and 13, 2022, Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

Header photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers McGraw-Hill Education, HarperCollins Leadership, CenterStreet, Two Chickens Press, HCI Books, Zondervan GIFT and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copies of the books mentioned here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Sweet dads deserve sweet chocolatey treats from Red Ribbon this Father’s Day

Hey, Daddy, we appreciate how hard you work for the family.

We know that you may have some late nights in the office, a lot of handyman tasks at home and, even take over some of our chores when we moms are too tired or busy.

We know that these various labors that you take on are just some of the sweet ways that you show your love.

So for Father’s Day, we are also giving you two especially sweet treats from Red Ribbon!

As our #BestDadEver, you get to pair a slice of Red Ribbon’s Triple Chocolate Roll – savoring its moist chocolate chiffon cake roll covered with a rich milk chocolate icing – with your morning cuppa joe. Taking your coffee break with this chocolatey treat is a welcome respite from all your work.

After indulging in your Father’s Day Feast, you know that there’s always room for dessert! You can indulge yourself with a decadent slice of Red Ribbon’s Chocolate Mousse. Sink your teeth into a rich chocolate pound cake covered by a delicious chocolate mouse and topped with Red Ribbon’s signature cream and chocolate chips.

You deserve all these sweetness and more, sweet Daddy! Happy Fathers Day!

Aside to Momshies: don’t let Father’s Day pass you by without giving the man of the house a sweet treat.

Order today at your nearest Red Ribbon store, or through the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon:

Red Ribbon, Lucky Gold Plaza — Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Red Ribbon Coffee Caramel Crunch — SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

Shop for amazing new kitchenware on #AmazonPrimeDay

Did you use to have all these exciting plans of preparing fantastic meals at home but get bogged down by old-fashioned or obsolete kitchenware?

Are you planning to remodel and revamp your kitchen into a place where you can let your creative culinary juices flow?

Then you should start shopping for new and modern kitchen appliances soon. And there’s no better time to shop than on Amazon Prime Day.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

On July 12 and 13, 2022, e-commerce giant Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

Whether you’re considering a minor kitchen upgrade or gunning for a major overhaul, shopping on Amazon Prime Day will let you score a haul that will make you excited to work in your kitchen!

Add these must-have kitchen appliances to your cart in preparation for the big sale:

Induction Cooktops

These are a type of electric cooktops which use electromagnetic waves to heat the cookware, as opposed to gas or or other electric stoves which conduct heat to the cookware. Induction cooktops have faster boiling times as well as precise temperature control, and are very easy to clean.

NutriChef Double Induction Cooktop

Ceramic Tempered Glass Induction Cooktop
Simple Electronic Plug-in Flameless Burner Design
(2) Circular Top Panel Heating Zones
Independent Configurable Temperature Zone Setting
High-Powered Heating Elements
Quickly Heats for Instant Food Prep
Safety Certified & Approved

Shop Now

AMZCHEF Double Induction Cooker

Silver edge and black polished crystal glass surface
Two independent heating zones
Power Mode and Temperature Mode
Comes with a countdown digital timer
Compatible with cast iron, iron, enameled iron, stainless steel manufactured with a magnetic bottom

Shop Now

Espresso Machines

If you ever dreamed of enjoying a freshly brewed cuppa – just like what you would get from a cafe barista – right in the comforts of home, an espresso machine may be just what you need.

Espresso machines brew coffee by forcing pressurized, nearly-boiling water through ground coffee and a filter to produce a thick and concentrated coffee called espresso.

Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Beverages: Espresso, Hot water, Coffee, Americano, Espresso Lungo
User Interface: Touch screen display
Milk Solution: Classic Milk Frother
Product dimensions: 246x371x433 mm
3 Aroma Strength Settings
12 Grinder Settings
3 Temperature settings

Shop Now

Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine

Bean-To-Brew.
Single Serving.
No Pods. No Waste.
German Technology.
Compact Size: 7” (H) 12.4” (L) 15.6”

SHOP Now

Kitchen Mixers

As appliances that grind, beat, stir and whip food, kitchen mixers have made the process of preparing dishes and culinary creations so much easier for many home cooks.

If you’re planning to try your hand at baking breads or making mousses and meringues, a higher-powered stand mixer will prove to be your best friend.

Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus 3.5-Qt.

3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl
Flex Edge Beater
Coated Dough Hook
6-Wire Whip

SHOP Now

DOBBOR 9.5QT Stand Mixer

9.5-quart large capacity to meet the daily use of the family which can up to 10 people.
660W power of planetary mixing system to evenly mix the ingredients in the bowl with low noise (＜40dB).
Tilt-head design helps the kitchen electric stand mixer to lift its head smoothly.
Five silicone suction cups on the bottom to keep it secure to your countertop with no moving.

SHOP Now

Multi-Cookers

Do you recall the times when home cooks used to slave all day in the kitchen, using various pots, pans and cooking equipment just to produce one complicated dish?

Multi-cookers do away with all of that with its ability to boil, simmer, bake, fry, grill roast, stew or steam food, all in the same device!

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker

Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient
Functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker & warmer
With 13 built-in smart programs

SHOP Now

MasterChef Electric 10 in 1 Multifunctional Cooker

Combines many kitchen appliances in one
Has a range of 10 smart cooking programs
Energy saving

SHOP Now

Air Fryers

Healthy eating is becoming a way of life for many of us and one way to do so is by reducing our use of oil in our cooking.

Air fryers help us achieve this by simulating deep-frying without submerging the food in oil. Hot air is circulated within the device at high speeds, resulting in crispiness that you usually get from deep-frying, but with much less oil.

COSORI Air Fryer 6.8 Qt

Patented 360 ThermoIQ Technology
Customize and save 10 cooking functions with your preferred time and temperature
Free VeSync app lets you control your air fryer remotely

SHOP Now

Chefavor Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

Wide temperature range of 200°-450°F
The high-speed convection fans speed up cooking for a quick fried finish
Equipped with advanced over-heat protection for added safety
Watch your foods cook to crispy perfection with wide windows and an interior light
Includes wire rack, baking tray, air fry basket, removable crumb tray and tray handle

SHOP Now

Smokeless Grill and Hotpot

We’ve all fallen in love with Korean barbecue, but can you imagine the sheer gastronomic pleasure of enjoying your freshly grilled meats while slurping on freshly made soup from a Chinese-style hotpot, right at your dining table?

That’s what a smokeless grill and hotpot can do. With this gadget in your arsenal, an Asian-style food party can be done in a jiffy.

Food Party 2 in 1 Electric Smokeless Grill and Hot Pot

Fast and Even Heating Technology
Easy to Clean
Multi-functional cooker

SHOP Now

4YANG Hot Pot with Grill

Multi-function Hot Pot
Independent Dual Temperature Control
8-seconds rapid heating
Smokeless and safe

SHOP Now

So, are you now excited for Amazon Prime Day? Be sure to mark July 12 and 13 on your calendars!

Not yet an Amazon Prime member?

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

Now, how to get your goodies home…

You might be getting worried about how much your Amazon Prime Day haul will set you back when it comes to shipping.

One way to minimize your shipping costs is by consolidating your packages via ShippingCart. It allows you to have your orders from e-commerce sites based in the US, UK, Australia and Japan delivered to a single shipping address in those countries where they are consolidated, then carefully packed into one parcel before shipping to your home address in the Philippines.

This also means that you can also purchase items that are not eligible for shipping to the Philippines!

Know more about ShippingCart and sign up for the service here. Indicate the US address provided by ShippingCart when you checkout your purchases on Amazon.com. Plus, use my code JELLYB to enjoy 15% off when you ship your consolidated parcels. (Discount will apply to first-time Shipping Cart users only. Code is valid until December 31, 2022.)

Happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links.

Header photo by pvproductions – www.freepik.com

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premieres July 28 only on HBO GO

The Max Original series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, will debut its ten-episode season with three episodes the same time as the U.S. on Thursday, July 28 only on HBO GO. Two new episodes will follow on the subsequent Thursdays, August 4 and 11, with the final three episodes debuting August 18.

Executive produced and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and co-executive produced and written by Lindsay Calhoon Bring (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), this dark take on the teen melodrama introduces a new generation of Liars who are tormented by A – a masked killer hellbent on punishing them for the sins of their mothers, as well as their own.

Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, in present day, a disparate group of teen girls — a brand-new set of Little Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago…as well as their own. In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.

Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco star as our new generation of Liars. The series also stars Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Tony award winner Lea Salonga, Eric Johnson, and Alex Aiono.

The series is produced by Aguirre-Sacasa’s Muckle Man Productions and Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, You) in association with Warner Bros. Television. I. Marlene King (who developed the original Pretty Little Liars), Michael Grassi, Caroline Baron, and Alloy’s Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo are also executive producers of the series, which is based upon the bestselling series of books by Sara Shepard, published by Alloy Entertainment.

Stream or download Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin from July 28 only on HBO GO. All seven seasons of the original Pretty Little Liars are also available on HBO GO for your viewing pleasure.

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

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

Save the Date: July 12 & 13—Amazon Prime Day Returns Offering Amazon’s Lowest Prices Ever on Select Products

The two-day savings event includes must-have brands such as Beats, Casper, ELEMIS, Levi’s, iRobot, and SharkNinja; fashion styles from Amazon Essentials and Simple Joys by Carter’s; and Amazon’s lowest prices ever on select products from Sony, Bose, and GE

Early deals start June 21, including 55% off select Amazon devices, up to 50% off Fire TV, and more deals from top brands like De’Longhi, Dove, and SodaStream

Prime members can also win big prizes by supporting small businesses from June 21 to July 11

Amazon’s annual Prime Day event is back. The 48-hour event kicks off July 12 at 3 a.m. EDT and runs through July 13 for Prime members in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, the U.K., the U.S., and for the first time ever in Poland and Sweden. Later this summer, Prime Day deals events will be held in India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as in Egypt for the first time.

Customers will be able to shop products from top national brands and more third-party sellers than last year’s Prime Day, including many small and medium-sized businesses. New deals—from fashion and electronics to toys and home—will go live throughout Prime Day, offering savings on products across categories, including from Customers’ Most Loved, Internet Famous, and a selection of Climate Pledge Friendly products.

“With the small businesses and national brands our members love and trust, we’re excited to offer some of our best Prime Day deals yet to even more customers around the world,” said Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime. “This year, we’re making it simple for members to find the best deals, from personalized deal recommendations to Alexa reminders. It’s never been easier for Prime members to shop, save, and make the most of Prime Day.”

Shop early, save big

Customers don’t have to wait to save this Prime Day. Early deals and new, member-only offerings start June 21.

Score Big on Amazon Devices: Get deals starting June 21 and save up to 55% on select Amazon devices, including Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) Kids, Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Glow with Tangram Bits, Halo Band, Luna Controller, Fire 7 Tablet (2019 release), Echo Dot (4th Gen) with a Free Smart Bulb, Ring Alarm Security Kit 8-Piece (2nd Gen), Blink Video Doorbell, eero mesh WiFi routers, and more.
Save on Fire TV smart TVs: Starting at just $89.99, save early with Fire TV smart TVs from brands including Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, and Amazon.
- Insignia 24-inch HD Smart Fire TV: $89.99 (47% off)
- Insignia 32-inch HD Smart Fire TV: $99.99 (44% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 55-inch Omni Series 4K UHD smart TV, hands-free with Alexa: $299.99 (46% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $199.99 (46% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $259.99 (45% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $284.99 (45% off)
- Toshiba 75-inch M550-Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV: $699.99 (50% off)
- Pioneer 43-inch 4K UHD Smart TV: $199.99 (37% off)
Shop on Amazon Live: Starting June 21, customers will have an opportunity to shop early Prime Day deals alongside their favorite celebrities and influencers, including Porsha Williams, Joe and Frank Mele, and Lala Kent. On June 28 at 1 p.m. EDT, Hilary Duff will join some of her favorite small business owners who will showcase their products and share inspiring stories behind their brands. To watch, visit amazon.com/liveprimeday or download the Amazon Live Shopping app on Fire TV.
Buy Now, Pay Over Time with Affirm: From June 28 through July 11, Prime members can get 0% APR on three equal monthly payments when they spend $50 or more on eligible products on Amazon upon credit approval by Affirm. For example, a $300 purchase might cost $100/month over three months at 0% APR. Visit amazon.com/affirm to learn more.
Save with new Amazon Fresh Stores Prime Benefit: Starting June 29, Prime members will save 20% on select everyday essentials at Amazon Fresh stores across the U.S. Members can enjoy this new benefit year-round by scanning their Amazon app at the register or paying with a credit card registered to their Prime account.
Earn Rewards with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card: From July 1 through July 29, Prime members get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. Cardmembers with an eligible Prime membership can earn 6% back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market on Prime Day and 5% back year-round, plus 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back everywhere Visa is accepted.

Shopping small businesses

This year we’ve made it easier than ever to support small businesses.

Win Big by Supporting Small: From June 21 through July 11, for every $1 spent on eligible small business products, customers will receive a chance to win epic prizes. In the U.S., this includes a pre-game experience and tickets to Super Bowl LVII, VIP passes to music experiences in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, tickets to a special New York City screening and cast meet-and-greet for Prime Video’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, and a VIP trip to Amazon’s first-ever clothing store, Amazon Style, near Los Angeles. Plus, hundreds of thousands of sweepstakes entrants globally will have a chance to win Amazon gift cards. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Must be 18 or older to enter. To learn more about the sweepstakes and to see official rules, visit amazon.com/primedaysweepstakes.
Look for the Small Business Badge: Prime members can discover and shop products from small business brands in Amazon’s store with the new Small Business Badge. This new badge makes it easier for members to identify products from small business brands and artisans. To learn more and shop curated collections—including from Black-owned, woman-owned, and military family-owned small businesses—visit amazon.com/supportsmall.

Get ready ahead of Prime Day

This year, Amazon makes preparing for Prime Day easier and more rewarding than ever. Members can earn credit to put toward their Prime Day purchases, receive custom product recommendations, and set up deal notifications and reminders to get ready. Amazon is also offering an exclusive gaming experience just for Prime members to celebrate before Prime Day. Customers can join Prime or start a free trial at amazon.com/primeday to participate.

Create Deal Alerts for Personalized Recommendations: Prime members can subscribe to receive deal alert notifications related to their recent Amazon searches and recently viewed items. All they have to do is visit the Prime Day event page on the Amazon app between now and Prime Day to create deal alerts. Once Prime Day arrives, members will receive push notifications on any available deals.
Earn a $10 Credit Through Prime Stampcard: From June 16 through Prime Day, members are invited to explore the perks of membership to receive a $10 credit toward their Prime Day order or future Amazon purchase. To participate, members collect a stamp for completing each of four Prime activities: stream Prime Video, listen to Prime Music, borrow a Prime Reading or Kindle Unlimited book or add one to their library, and make a Prime-shipping eligible purchase. Members can visit https://amazon.com/cer/stampcard/home to learn more.
Get Deal Notifications from Alexa: Prime members never have to worry about missing a deal thanks to Alexa. Members can add products to their Wish List, Cart, or Save for Later, and then ask Alexa to notify them about the deal when it’s live or even order it on their behalf.
Set a Reminder: Prime members can tell their Alexa devices, “Remind me when Prime Day starts,” to be alerted when the two-day deals event begins.
Tune in to Ultimate Crown: On July 9 starting at 7 p.m. EDT, Prime members can tune in globally to the gaming event of the summer—Ultimate Crown—on Twitch.tv/Crown and Prime Video. An all-star lineup of gamers and streamers will battle live from Las Vegas at the HyperX Arena. Prime members will have a chance to attend in person or participate in live chats for a chance to win exclusive giveaways and gifted subs.

Prime day deliveries

Fast, free delivery of Prime Day orders is made possible thanks to Amazon’s global transportation network, which is powered by a combination of innovative technology, transportation services, dedicated associates, and partners. Amazon continues to build, innovate, and scale this network around the world—from rail and trucks to planes, vans, and more—while focusing on the safety, well-being, and career advancement of the people and partners who work across the Journey of an Amazon Package. From a veteran loading cargo into the belly of an Amazon Air aircraft to the driver who delivers that familiar Amazon box, it’s the people and partners across the operations network who make it all possible.

Every day, made better with Prime

Prime offers the best of shopping, savings, and entertainment to more than 200 million paid members around the world. In the U.S., that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and series with Prime Video, ad-free listening of 2 million songs, thousands of stations and playlists, and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music, free games with Prime Gaming, more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading, unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos, and incredible savings with Prime Day. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping. Prime members enjoy ultrafast grocery delivery and pickup from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market in more than 5,000 cities and towns, free Same-Day Delivery on hundreds of thousands of items in over 90 major metropolitan areas, and free One-Day Delivery on more than 20 million items coast to coast. Prime members also receive fast, free delivery on prescriptions from Amazon Pharmacy and prescription savings at more than 60,000 participating pharmacies in the U.S. To join Prime or start a free trial, visit amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Details provided in a recent press release.

This post contains affiliate links.

Photo credit: header image by snowing on Freepik

Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola celebrates World Oceans Day

Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola Philippines celebrated World Oceans Day through Ecosystem Impact Week held in Robinsons Place General Trias. The Ecosystem Impact Week that was held from June 8 to June 12 highlighted the progress and milestones of Plastic Bank collection community members who continuously uphold their mission to stop ocean plastic. The event was made possible in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, the Local Government of General Trias, Cavite, and Robinsons Place General Trias.

Developing Collection Communities

Plastic Bank’s collection communities are at the heart of what Plastic Bank does.

The Ecosystem Activation partnership aims to empower collection communities by supporting recycling infrastructure, skills training, and providing tools of trade for collection.

“Plastic Bank works with over 500 recycling communities around the world and over 20,000 active members. By supporting collection communities in coastal areas, we stop plastic from reaching the ocean. Our partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines has helped us reach critical scale in just two years—from the volume of plastic we collect to the number of lives we directly impact,” said Gidget Velez, Chief Country Development Officer at Plastic Bank. Coca-Cola Philippines has supported the development and growth of a new Plastic Bank Ecosystem in General Trias, Cavite.

Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project

Launched in 2018, the aim of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project is to help collect and recycle a bottle or can, regardless of where it comes from, for every one they sell by 2030.

As the world’s biggest beverage company, Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes its role and responsibility in helping solve the plastic crisis. The company aims to make 100% of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and use 50% recycled material in their bottles and cans by 2030.

Part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision is supporting like-minded organizations such as Plastic Bank. During the1st year of their partnership, Coca-Cola was able to collect 100,000 kg of ocean-bound PET plastic and help improve the livelihood of local communities through plastic collection.

Emphasizing the Power of Ocean Stewardship

Every single human being who is pained by the degradation of our Ocean and acts to prevent and reverse it, is an Ocean Steward.

Whether you are Plastic Bank collection community members, a pioneering partner, or a consumer making simple choices that drive impact—you are an Ocean Steward. “As Ocean Stewards, we must be part of the solution, not the pollution. With the right collection methods—including segregation, cleaning and delivery to our collection branches—we are educating our members on proper waste management and helping communities transcend poverty,” said Rene Guarin, Philippines Country Manager at Plastic Bank.

About Coca-Cola Philippines

Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines for 110 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering a diverse portfolio of brands in its beverage portfolio and employing over 15,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 60 distribution centers nationwide. As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to work to create a better shared future for our people, the business, our communities, and our planet by continuously supporting safe water access programs in over 250 communities, empowering around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.

About Plastic Bank

Plastic Bank empowers Ocean Stewards to stop ocean plastic. Their ethical collection communities exchange plastic for life-improving benefits. Exchanges are recorded through a blockchain-secured platform that enables traceable collection, secures income, and verifies reporting. Collected material is processed into Social Plastic feedstock for reuse in products and packaging.

PlasticBank®, Social Plastic™, and Alchemy™ are trademarks of The Plastic Bank Recycling Corporation.

Learn more at plasticbank.com

Header photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

A taste of Scandinavia at IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant

Have you heard of the recent trending topic called #SwedenGate? It sprang from several anecdotes shared on Reddit which recall childhood experiences of house guests not being invited to dine while at a Swedish household.

While there are myriad cultural contexts behind this custom, and recent reports do share that this practice has been dying out, it does bring to the spotlight a cuisine heretofore unknown to most Filipinos: Scandinavian food.

Recently, this cuisine became a lot more accessible to us, thanks to IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant at IKEA Pasay. Given the time and energy that shoppers expend while browsing through its displays, it’s a good thing that IKEA opened a self-service cafeteria inside the store. It has proven to be quite popular: during my family’s recent visit, we had to wait in line for thirty minutes to an hour before we were able to enter.

Since it employs a cafeteria-style self-service type of operations, we had to line up at the food counters to choose and collect our food in trays and carry them towards the cashiers. This process is greatly helped by the trollies that IKEA provided, which proved to be a great convenience due to the sheer amount of food we ended up buying.

Once we‘re done getting our food, we settled down to eat at the well-appointed dining area which is furnished with Scandinavian-style tables and chairs. Depending on the number of people in your party, you may opt for the small tables for a party of two or a get the bigger tables that can seat up to eight people.

The menu and operations of IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant are guided by its seven food principles:

Lagom – Servings that are not too hearty nor lacking, with responsible portions just right to sate one’s hunger.
Sustainable – Food items should be good for both people and the planet by sourcing ingredients from farms and fisheries that strive to protect the environment, public health, people and communities.
Plant-based – Food items that celebrate seasonal and diverse ingredients as well as make healthier and sustainable living easy.
Animal welfare – Fewer animals are used in its menu and all are sourced sustainably from farms that practice humane treatment of livestock.
Natural – Simple and wholesome dishes that reduce the use of additives while still safeguarding food safety.
Food is precious – Food waste is a no-no from farm to consumption.
Food is pleasure – Food is meant to be enjoyed with others, celebrating different cultures that come together.

The fam did take our cue from the greeting “Smaklig maltid!” (“Enjoy your meal!”) as we shared and feasted on our Scandinavian food orders:

We also enjoyed free-flowing Nordic drinks (Php50/person) to go with our food. These are sparkling or still beverages sweetened only with half the usual amount of sugar featuring flavors such as elderberry, lemon, pear, raspberry, lingonberry, and cola distributed on tap at the drink stations.

When we finished our meal, we quickly cleared our table (to do our share in helping IKEA keep its food costs low) and left so that our table can be readily used by the next batch of diners.

I’m glad that my fam was able to experience this foray into Scandinavian cuisine. #SwedenGate may son be a thing of the past, but this family’s love affair with Swedish food is just beginning.

The Swedish Restaurant is located at the 4th Level of IKEA Pasay City and is open daily, from 9:30 am to 9 pm.

To stay updated on news and updates about IKEA PH, visit its website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Japanese dining experience at Sandaime, Eastwood Mall

Being part of a family of Japanese food lovers, it is no wonder that we tend to seek it out every chance we could.

That’s what happened when Hubby and I started feeling hunger pangs while we were in the vicinity of Eastwood Mall, Libis. Knowing that one of our previously discovered Japanese food restaurants is in the area and has reopened for dine-in service after closing during the quarantine, we were looking forward to trying it out again.

That restaurant is Sandaime.

Sandaime is a casual dining restaurant which offers a wide selection of Japanese dishes that combine traditional Japanese sushi flavors. These include Edomae-style sushi, which are prepared using traditional sushi-making techniques and fish flown in directly from Japan. It is also known for its teishoku (Japanese meal sets).

It has re-opened with a streamlined menu from which Hubby and I ordered:

Spicy Salmon Salad (Php408). Cubes of salmon sashimi tossed in a spicy creamy sauce on a bed of lettuce and topped with crunchy tempura flakes.

Tuna Sashimi (Php388) and Salmon Sashimi (Php398). Fresh sashimi served with wasabi and Japanese soy sauce.

Ebi Tempura (Php468/5 pcs). Battered prawns deep-fried to a crunchy golden brown and served with special tempura sauce.

Tonkatsu Set (Php428). Deep-fried breaded pork cutlets accompanied by a tangy katsu sauce. This meal set includes rice and lettuce.

Looking back at our pre-pandemic visit, we were glad to see that most of what we liked then are still in the menu such as Edamame, Chicken Karaage and California Roll. Unfortunately, Oyster Overload is no longer in the menu.

Sandaime Japanese Restaurant is located at the Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City, open for dine-in, pick-up and delivery. For reservations and orders, call +63 915 3373278 or +63 928 50 2487.

Books for Rocking It at Work

Bring Your Human to Work by Erica Keswin

Kick Some Glass: 10 Ways Women Succeed at Work on Their Own Terms by Jennifer Martineau and Portia Mount

Don’t Pay for Your MBA: The Faster, Cheaper, Better Way to Get the Business Education You Need by Laurie Pickard

Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business and Life by Gail Gaddis

Glambition: Knocking Down Walls in Heels by Dee Rivera

Lunching with Lions: Strategies for the Networking-Averse by Katherine McGraw Patterson

Books for Rocking it at Home

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassion and Connected Children by Dale Atkins and Amanda Salzhauer

You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Work on a Budget by Erin Odom

Understanding your Child’s and Teen’s Behavior: Simple Steps and Resources to Guide You Through the Journey by Angie Rumaldo

Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose and Performance in Younger Generations by Mark C. Perna

Enjoy reading with Kindle

Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Kindle Oasis

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Induction Cooktops

NutriChef Double Induction Cooktop

AMZCHEF Double Induction Cooker

Espresso Machines

Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine

Kitchen Mixers

Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus 3.5-Qt.

DOBBOR 9.5QT Stand Mixer

Multi-Cookers

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker

MasterChef Electric 10 in 1 Multifunctional Cooker

Air Fryers

COSORI Air Fryer 6.8 Qt

Chefavor Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

Smokeless Grill and Hotpot

Food Party 2 in 1 Electric Smokeless Grill and Hot Pot

4YANG Hot Pot with Grill

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Shop early, save big

Shopping small businesses

Get ready ahead of Prime Day

Prime day deliveries

Every day, made better with Prime

About Amazon

Developing Collection Communities

Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project

Emphasizing the Power of Ocean Stewardship

About Coca-Cola Philippines

About Plastic Bank