product review – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Cooling down for the summer with Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Pints

Ooh, we sure are feeling that summer heat, aren’t we?

Well, it sure is lucky that we can always get our very own pint of ice cream to help us cool down, isn’t it?

Aside from giving us some respite from the heat and humidity of summer in the metro, ice cream gives us that little bit of sweetness to perk up our day.

I’m especially happy that one of the most iconic ice cream brands in the world is now available in our neck of the woods: Ben & Jerry’s!

You would be hard-pressed in finding larger-sized versions of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Originally, these frozen treats in cups and cones at the Scoop Shop in Burlington, Vermont. However, it was soon decided to package the iconic ice cream in pint-sized tubs which can then be sold in grocery stores. And from there, Ben & Jerry’s global domination for ice cream began.

And who could dispute its domination, with innovatively crafted flavors, such as:

New York Super Fudge Chunk (Php420). Born out of the brand’s desire to make a name for itself in New York, they named this ice cream after the city and added in all kinds of chunky pieces – such as white and dark fudge chunks, walnuts, pecans and fudge-coated almonds to the delight ice cream lovers.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Php420). Did you know that Ben & Jerry’s created the first chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream back in 1984? Until today, the appeal of this vanilla ice cream with gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough has not waned.

Karamel Sutra Core (Php420). A sexy combination of chocolate and caramel ice cream with a soft and luscious caramel core at the center.

Half-Baked (Php420). Chocolate and vanilla ice creams are mixed together with gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownies, making this a power-packed dessert!

Ben & Jerry’s has been among the most progressive brands due to its values-led sourcing practices:

Cage-free eggs. Ben & Jerry’s ensure that its eggs are sourced from farms where hens are treated humanely: given nutritious food, clean water and access to space that neable to display natural behaviors.
Fair-trade. The brand sources its sugar, coffee, banana, vanilla and cocoa ingredients from small farmers in developing nations, helping themhold their own in the global market place.
Caring Dairy. Through its Caring Dairy Program, the brand partners with farmers to support them in improving their farming practices, keeping their cow herds healthy, and preserving the environment.
Sustainable Packaging. Ben & Jerry’s has been working to reduce its impact to the environment by finding plant-based and/or compostable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastic packaging and developing reusable packaging options

So you know that with each pint of ice cream you buy, you are helping a company bring good into the world. So go ahead and enjoy your Ben & Jerry’s pints!

Grab them at your nearest Shell Select store or order them from Ice Cream Lovers’ online store.

Onigiris with Pinoy flavors from Samurice

If you’re a fan of Japanese food but got some #PinoyPride goin’ on for our local cuisine, then Samurice PH’s got something great in store for you!

This online food shop specializes in premium onigiris – Japanese rice balls stuffed with tasty ingredients.

With its newest offerings – dubbed Filipino Favorites – Samurice PH brings to us Pinoys flavors that are closer to home, the taste of classic Pinoy ulams encased in a tightly packed ball of another Pinoy staple, garlic rice.

Curious yet?

Indulge your craving for that Japanese and Pinoy combination with these onigiri variants.

Sisig with Garlic Rice. The famed Kapampangan viand finds a new iteration with this savory onigiri.

Spam Mayo with Garlic Rice. Kiddos will love this onigiri that allows them to enjoy their favorite spam beyond breakfast.

Adobo with Garlic Rice. The national dish broadens its horizons to include an onigiri iteration.

These classic Pinoy flavors are available in a Filipino onigiri set that includes two onigiris of each flavor for just Php599.

Enjoy these onigiris at home for a quick and easy lunch in between Zoom meetings or online classes. You may also pack one of these as your baon so you can have a handy snack anytime you get hungry, or include a set in your picnic basket so you and your companions can easily munch into a tasty meal while on the go.

Other Samurice onigiri sets available include:

Japanese (Php499): includes 2 Salmon Mayo, 2 Chicken Teriyaki and 2 Tuna Mayo onigiris; all made with imported Japanese rice and wrapped with soy nori
Korean (Php599): includes 2 Korean Spicy Pork Samgyupsal, 2 Beef Bulgogi and 2 Spicy Korean Chicken Galbi onigiris; all made with Gochujang-flavored rice and wrapped with soy nori
Spam Mayo (Php599): 6 onigiris made with Spam bits with a bit of mayo in garlic rice and wrapped with soy nori

Order your onigiri set today at Samurice PH’s online store. Payments via GCash and bank transfer via BancNet, Union Bank and BPI are accepted.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Happy and healthy holidays with Sanlo Salabat

Sometimes, the wisdom of old folk medicine are proven right.

Especially now when we worry about the state of our health on a regular basis, we gravitate towards remedies that have been tried and tested by generations before us.

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Aside from its use as an ingredient in many tasty Pinoy dishes, ginger (or luya in Filipino) has been known to have powerful medicinal qualities which include:

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
Treatment against nausea, especially morning sickness
Supporting weight loss
Reduction of pain from osteoarthritis
Lowering of blood sugars and cholesterol levels as well as improvement risk factors of heart disease
Promotion of gut health and chronic indigestion
Reduction of menstrual pain
Lowering the risk of infections

Ginger may also serve as an alternative treatment for some forms of cancer, as well as help in improving brain function and protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.

To take advantage of ginger‘s myriad health benefits, our forbears regularly consume salabat, the traditional ginger-based Filipino tea.

While our ancestors had to brew their go-to medicinal beverage the old fashioned way – boiling, slicing, boiling and straining ginger in water for minutes – we can save some time and effort with a sachet of Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat.

This ginger brew is made from the finest native ginger grown and harvested organically on the slopes of the mystical Banahaw. Upon harvesting, each ginger is meticulously selected, washed and sundried resulting in a cup of salabat that’s refreshing and irresistible flavor, as well as filled with health benefits.

Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat is produced by Prominex Ventures, Inc., which sources organically grown ginger from a rural cooperative composed of women and farmers, thereby promoting economic growth in the countryside.

Its Halal-certified product variants include:

Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat Original (10 sachets per box, 7.5g per sachet). Ginger brew flavored with just enough sweetness to suit everyone’s taste.

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Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat Turmeric (10 sachets per box, 7.5g per sachet). The same premium quality ginger brew flavored with turmeric for a unique taste.

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Other variants include Honey, Oregano and Malunggay.

To brew your own cup of salabat, empty the contents of a sachet into a cup with 150ml (2/3 cup) of water, then gently stir until the mix is fully dissolved. Enjoy your salabat hot or iced.

Sanlo’s invigorating and flavorful brew is great as a morning pick-me-up.

When I get nauseous or experience period cramps, it also provides some relief, so I can gamely get on with my day.

During this season of feasting, a cup after a meal can also help with digestion.

With this amazing ginger brew in our pantry, health and comfort during this holiday season and beyond is never more than a few seconds away.

Stock up on Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat at Lazada and Shopee or at your nearest supermarket.

For more information, visit Sanlo Premium Instant Salabat’s website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Photo credit: Ginger photos by sentot setyasiswanto and Julia Topp on Unsplash

Ulam in a jiffy: Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods

With the holidays coming up, home cooks will be in for quite a busy spell.

With all the food preparations for holiday feasts and virtual clan gatherings – not to mention the regular family meals – home cooks will surely have their hands full and will need all the help they can get.

Plus, despite the sheer variety of food options for the holiday spread, home cooke can count on their families to opt for the kind of dishes that are homegrown and possess familiar flavors.

At the Pinoy table, Filipino food does reign supreme.

Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods

For those with #PanlasangMakabayan, Ka Tunying’s brings its signature dishes in frozen packs that can be easily reheated and ready to eat in a few minutes!

Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods are MSG-free and additive-free, and come in microwaveable containers with reheating instructions conveniently printed on their plastic seals

Home cooks may opt to reheat these delicious heritage dishes on a stove or through a microwave, making food preparation very easy and fuss-free.

Here’s how easy they are to prepare:

Arroz Ala Tunying

Completely thaw out the pack and remove the plastic lid.

To reheat using a stove: Transfer the contents of the pack into a pan. On low fire, stir the arroz caldo for four to six minutes until thoroughly hot.

To reheat using a microwave: Place the container in the microwave or transfer the contents in a microwaveable bowl. Reheat on medium setting while stirring occasionally for three to four minutes until thoroughly hot.

Serve topped with cooked chicken, boiled egg or toasted garlic, or just sprinkle chopped spring onions on top and serve with patis and calamansi.

The resulting dish is a gingery porridge that will warm the tummy during a cold or rainy day, or make a great merienda for the fam.

Bangus Sisig.

Completely thaw out the pack and remove the plastic lid.

To reheat using a stove: Transfer the contents of the pack into a pan. On low fire, stir the arroz caldo for five to eight minutes until thoroughly hot.

Serve topped with a sunny side-up egg.

I’m glad that there’s healthier version of my daughter’s favorite dish. While it may be drier than the regular sisig, you can add a small dollop of mayonnaise to add some creaminess.

Beef Caldereta.

Completely thaw out the pack and remove the plastic lid.

To reheat using a stove: Transfer the contents of the pack into a pan. On low fire, stir the arroz caldo for five to eight minutes until thoroughly hot.

Serve topped with grated cheese and enjoy white steamed white rice.

The resulting dish features melt-in-your-mouth beef in a hearty serving of rough-chopped veggies in a rich tomato sauce.

I bravely volunteered to whip up the fam’s weekend lunch all by my lonesome, knowing that it’s going to be done in a jiffy, thanks to Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods..

Home cooks, if you want to have a tasty yet effortless addition to your holiday spread, or want to serve your fam a delicious meal you won’t have to slave over in the kitchen, Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods may just be your best bet.

Get this set of Ka Tunying’s Holiday Heats (250g Bangus Susig, 400g Arroz Ala Tunying and 450g Beef Caldereta) for only Php895.

Other Frozen Goods sets include:

Ready to Cook Set (Php1,390): 6 sticks Pork BBQ, 250g Chicken Tocino, 8pcs Longganisa Recado, 12 pcs Lumpiang Shanghai, 8pcs Longganisa Batutay)
Heat & Eat Set (Php2,590): 370g Bilo Bilo, 250g Pork Sisig, 250g Bangus Sisig, 250g Beef Caldereta, 450g Classic Kare Kare, 400g Arroz Ala Tunying, 450g Chicken Caldereta, 300g Roasted Lechon Belly)
Complete Frozen Set (Php3,890): combination of Ready to Cook Set and Complete Frozen Set

Stock up on Ka Tunying’s Frozen Goods for your family meals or as holiday gifts to your loved ones by calling +63 995 2376684.

Ka Tunying’s also operates physical restaurants open for dine-in, takeout and delivery located at:

88 Brgy. Vasra, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City
UG Level, Mega A Building, SM Megamall,Ortigas, Mandaluyong
4th Floor Food Hall, NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City

Follow Ka Tunying’s on Facebook or Instagram to know more about its latest offers and promos.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.

VREAL Cosmetics brings real beauty solutions for real people

I pretty much consider myself a low-maintenance kind of girl.

I seldom have the time or the patience for tedious beauty rituals and multi-step self-care routines. With this personal bias, you can bet that when presented with a beauty routine that involves several applications or complex instructions, you can bet I’d be avoiding that like the plague.

However, I’m definitely not getting any younger. As a woman nearing – or already in – middle age, I have resolved to let myself age gracefully but not to just let myself go.

Fortunately, VREAL Cosmetics makes it easy for me to inch my way into a beauty routine.

True to its tagline “Real Beauty Solutions for Real People,” homegrown beauty brand VREAL Cosmetics seeks to make skin care more accessible to Filipinos.

An offshoot of one of Ilocos’ biggest beauty service businesses, Villareal Salon and Spa, VREAL Cosmetics prides itself on its unique formulations and simple applications, such as:

VREAL RealNew Set A.

This illuminating set that began as an aftercare routine for salon customers who availed of facial services received so many positive reviews that it was spun off as a retail product and started the VREAL Cosmetics line. It consists of a triple whitening soap, toner, nutrifirm gel, day cream and night cream.

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Morning Routine:

Wash face with Realnew Triple Whitening Soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth.
Using a piece of cotton, apply Realnew Toner all over face and neck.
After cleansing and toning, apply a sufficient amount of Nutrifirm Gel on fingertips and spread evenly on face and neck.
Apply Day Cream liberally onto face before sun exposure. Reapply as needed.

Night Routine:

Wash face with Realnew Triple Whitening Soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth.
Using a piece of cotton, apply Realnew Toner all over face and neck.
Using your fingertips, apply a thin layer of Night Cream onto face and neck.

VREAL Sensireal Foaming Wash.

A facial wash that helps reduce acne as it gently cleanses and brightens skin.

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VREAL Ultra Real Deo.

An effective anti-perspirant that protects from excessive sweating and body odor, as it gently whitens underarms.

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I’m in my first week of use, and while I experienced a slight amount of peeling but there was no discomfort. The peeling is caused by the tightening of the skin’s pores and removal dead skin cells.

This new skin care routine is very easy to follow up and does not significantly add to the time I take to get ready for my day or to wind down for the night.

VREAL Cosmetics products are available in Villareal Salon and Spa branches in:

Ilocos Sur: Second Floor, Bantay Arcade, Bantay, Ilocos Sur (Contact: +63 077 6040628 or +63 917 5682043)
Ilocos Norte: Viven Hotel Phase 2 Ground Floor, Valdez Center, Barangay 1 San Francisco, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

VREAL Cosmetics products are also available online through Shopee and Lazada.

Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.

This post contains affiliate links.

Boost your gut health with Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to take care of our overall health.

A significant aspect of well-being is our gut health. However, unless our tummy acts out in ways that make us uncomfortable, we hardly take notice of it.

The state of our digestive tract contributes a lot to the health of other systems of our bodies: from the workings of our brain and heart, the effectiveness of our immune system, the state of our skin, weight and hormone levels, even the propensity to develop cancer.

Needless to say, ensuring the health of our digestive system goes a long way towards a living a healthier life.

For centuries, the aloe vera plant has been used for health and medicinal purposes, especially the jelly like substance harvested from its leaves – called aloe vera gel.

US-based company Forever Living Products, has mastered the harnessing of aloe vera’s health benefits and delivering it to consumers with its own aloe fields, manufacturing facilities, research and development, quality control laboratories and distribution channels.

In the Philippines, its products are distributed by Forever4U, which also hosts bootcamps for health, fitness and beauty buffs.

One of its products is Forever Aloe Bits ‘n Peaches. A product of Forever Living’s aloe stabilization process, it contains 200 compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins which help in maintaining a healthy digestive system as well as a natural energy level.

With the addition of peach concentrate, this drink is not just infused with the sweet and fruity flavor of peaches, it is also fortified with carotenoids which are great antioxidants, source of Vitamin A and essential in maintaining the proper function of our immune system.

I started taking a small shot glass of this tonic drink before breakfast and after dinner everyday and after a week, it has helped in clearing my gut regularly (you know what I mean!) helping me feel lighter and healthier.

Now is not the time to take our gut health for granted so do stock up on Forever Aloe Vera Bits ‘n Peaches, or other aloe gel drinks such as Forever Aloe Vera Gel or Forever Aloe Berry Nectar. These are great additions to any #LockdownCleansing routine.

To brush up on more healthy habits you can pursue during quarantine and beyond and to order Forever Living products, follow Forever4U on Facebook.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature article.

Buy these at Lazada!

Forever Aloe Bits ‘N Peaches

Forever Aloe Vera Gel

Forever Aloe Berry Nectar

Yummy sushi galore from Salmon HQ

Since I belong to a family of Japanese food lovers, it’s hardly surprising that I would develop a liking for sushi.

Traditionally made with vinegared rice (sushi-meshi) combined with other ingredients (neta) such as (often raw) seafood and vegetables, sushi has become showcases for the sushi chef’s creativity and ingenuity.

During pre-pandemic times, we usually needed to venture all the way to our go-to Japanese restaurants to get a taste of our favorite sushi variants.

But with restrictions on movement and dining out within the metro limiting the choices available, I’m glad that innovative food entrepreneurs have ventured into sushi delivery such as the people behind Salmon HQ.

This New Manila, QC-based enterprise specialized in delivering fresh salmon sashimi right to the doorstep of Japanese food lovers.

It soon expanded its product offerings to include the latest food trends, incorporating its fresh seafood ingredients into delectable creations, well-suited for delivery.

The Sushi Bakes.

Sushi bakes are deconstructions of the maki (sushi rolls) where, instead of rolling the sushi rice and the sushi fillings and wrapping them in nori (dried seaweed) sheets, they are layered on a baking pan and cooked in an oven. Sushi bakes are enjoyed by scooping out some of the dish and folding them into small nori squares.

Similar to traditional maki, the sushi bake offers a lot of possibilities in incorporating tantalizing tastes and textures into the dish.

I was able to try out samplers of sushi bakes from Salmon HQ, which included:

The Crunchy California (a variant of the OG sushi bake with kani and mango) and Unagi Madness (with slivers of freshwater eel and generous sprinklings of roe).

Aburi Salmon Scallops Ebi (torched slivers of salmon mixed with scallops and shrimp) and Softshell Crab and Ebi (wonderfully textured combination of shrimp and softshell crab).

Prices for the full trays of Salmon HQ’s sushi bakes start at Php500 (for small) and Php1,200 (for large).

The Pasta.

Who would have thought that a pasta dish can taste so distinctly Japanese? With the Seafood Wafu Pasta, you get spaghetti noodles tossed in a soy butter glaze with scallops, shrimp and salmon. It’s a perfect blend of hearty pasta goodness and the fresh flavors of the sea.

Get a tray for Php500 (small), Php1,000 (medium) or Php1,200 (large).

The Salmon Cake.

If you ever wondered what could possibly make a show-stopping cake for any celebration, well, here’s the answer.

Salmon HQ’s Premium Salmon Cake is a wondrous creation: pieces of fresh pink salmon sashimi are layered and interlaced to form a two-tier cake, with the bottom-tier hiding layers of kani (imitation crab meat), ebiko (shrimp eggs), seaweed salad and Japanese rice.

It’s a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.

Treat yourself to this delectable treat for Php1,200.

So if you think you’ve seen and tasted all sushi possibilities, think again because Salmon HQ has these and more to surprise you.

Send your orders to Salmon HQ via Facebook, Instagram or by calling +63 922 8943679. Payments via Metrobank, BPI, PayMaya and GCash are accepted.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate feedback.

No need to suffer through pain with Tiger Balm

I admit: I’m not as young as I used to be, nor as indestructible as I thought I was.

Given that I’m no longer a sprightly spring chicken, some aches and pains are to be expected… which can be kind of a drag.

After all, there is so much for me to do and so much I want to accomplish. Between juggling my responsibilities at home and at work, and squeezing in activities to broaden my mind and slim down my waistline (hopefully!), I really have so little time to waste just wallowing in my pain.

I also can’t ignore it either. Chronic pain can be quite detrimental to anyone’s physical, mental and even emotional well-being. It can lead to lethargy, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, increased anxiety and even depression.

It’s a good thing, then, that for small aches and pains, quick relief can be provided by Tiger Balm.

For more than a century, Tiger Balm is the recognized topical medication for pain relief against swelling, backaches, muscle and joint strains and sprains. It products are made with powerful blends of medicinal herbs known for their curative effects such as camphor, menthol and other essential oils which soothe pains away.

Ointments. For shoulder and neck pains, or to help ease tension headaches or muscle soreness after physical activity, the Extra Strength Ointment, characterized by its warm reddish-brown color and cinnamon-infused scent, is the go-to medication. For an intensified pain relief against backaches, stiff muscles and joint strains, the non-staining and light-hued Ultra Strength Ointment is the way to go. The penetrating heat from these ointments helps open up blood vessels and increase circulation that assist out body in repairing damaged tissues.

Just rub the ointment onto the affected area until it’s fully absorbed and wait for the soothing heat to work its magic.

Tiger Balm ointments can also be used to alleviate cold symptoms, free up nasal congestion and treat mosquito bites.

Pain-Relieving Patches. For strong, targeted and more convenient relief from post workout pain, Tiger Balm’s Pain-Relieving Patch is your best bet. Combining the soothing effects of Tiger Balm’s medicinal ingredients with the handy and mess-free application of a patch, it is a practical and hassle-free solution to muscle and joint aches. The warm plaster is best for strong pain relief, especially from chronic pains at the thigh, back and shoulders, while the cool plaster is effective for relief from sprains nd strains, and also aids in recovery from sports injuries especially at the wrist, elbow and ankle.

Tiger Balm also produces Mosquito Repellants, perfect for those living in a tropical country like ours where pesky mosquitoes abound, especially during summertime. To prevent the irritating insects from getting near and biting your kids when they play outside or even indoors, spray the citronella-scented scented solution around the area or attach the patch on your little one’s clothes.

I’m glad that with my Tiger Balm stash, these aches and pains can remain minor inconveniences that I can easily eliminate. That way, I can go on with my day and get back to all I need to accomplish.

You, too, can stock up on Tiger Balm products by ordering from Shopee or Lazada.

Stay updated on Tiger Balm’s products and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Warnings: Use Tiger Balm products as directed. Do not ingest or apply to sunburned, irritated or chapped skin. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth or any open wounds.

Disclosures: Product samples were provided.

Brunchmate Premium Tapa for a quick and easy family meal

Being a working mom myself, I know the struggles of juggling the demands of family and work responsibilities.

Despite the many freedoms that working from home has allowed me, I still sometimes feel like I’m falling short in my duties at home.

Take our family meals, for example. I always want to make sure that my little brood enjoys our mealtimes: tasty comfort food, therefore, is always the order of the day.

Sometimes, though, my Zoom meeting would go overtime, or I would be too engrossed in my work that I find myself pressed for time in preparing the family’s meal.I’m sure a lot of other moms out there have the same problem.

If only there was a way to quickly and easily whip up a wholesome and delicious meal for our family, yes?

Well, that’s what the couple behind Brunchmate Premium Beef Tapa – AR and Jam Periquet – set out to do.

Both love to eat out, but with the pandemic and the quarantine strictures, their dining adventures were curtailed and they were forced to spend more time at home.

Being a foodie himself and beef tapa connoisseur, AR sought to elevate this Pinoy comfort viand by using premium Angus beef and incorporating some secret ingredients.

The result? Strips of tender Angus beef strips, marinated to perfection, packaged into 350 gram packs.

All we need to do is thaw out the packet, pour its contents into a pan and cook over low heat (no need to add oil). Spread the strips evenly across the pan and allow to fry in own juices until, flipping occasionally, until the beef strips are tender and brown. These are best served hot.

Brunchmate’s Premium Beef Tapa come in four variants – Original (Sweet), Garlic, Seeet & Spicy and Spicy Garlic – all at Php280 per pack. My Original tapa was juicy and flavorful, and went well with rice and fried eggs, much to the fam’s delight!

Too bad there were none left to make into tapa flakes the next day.

Fortunately, ordering my Brunchmate Premium Beef Tapa is a breeze with this online form. Payments via BPI, BDO, GCash and COD are accepted. Brunchmate delivers from Las Pinas to anywhere in the metro.

To know more about Brunchmate Premium Beef Tapa, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

So to stop yourself from stressing over mealtimes, momshie, order your Brunchmate now!

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature article.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Express your love for Mom with a Stories & Blossoms gift basket

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we should be on the lookout for the perfect gift to express our love and bring delight to our moms on their special day.

While Mother’s Day has been celebrated since the early twentieth century to honor mothers and how they influence society through their love and sacrifices for the family, there have been many age-old traditions giving tribute to motherhood. For instance, ancient Greeks and Romans held festivals in honor of mother-goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele while early Christians celebrated “Mothering Sunday” by returning to their mother church, spending time at home and presenting their moms with flowers and tokens of appreciation.

Over the years, Mother’s Day, or iterations of this holiday, are celebrated by various countries according to their local customs. In Thailand, for instance, it is celebrated during the birthday of Queen Sirikit, with ceremonies and parades to mark the occasion.

Mother’s Day is notably the busiest time for restaurants as families give their moms a break from kitchen duties and treat her to delicious meals throughout the day that she didn’t have to prepare herself.

Some would even treat their mothers to a rejuvenating time at the spa, a welcome respite from their usual deluge of duties and chores.

However, with stricter quarantine protocols in place due to the pandemic, bringing Mom out to dine in style or to have a “me time” at the spa may not be the best choice.

Why not treat Mom to a relaxing day off at home on Mother’s Day?

With Stories & Blossoms’ Mom’s Day Off Floral Care Basket (Php3,500), the most important woman in your life will be able to enjoy a beautiful arrangement of preserved flowers, customizable according to her favorite colors and blooms, in an attractively rustic 14-inch basket. Nestled among the blooms is a carefully curated package of locally made yet luxurious self-care items she can enjoy at home.

To help chase away tensions and lull her to a state of ease, artisanal scent-maker Favori contributes a carbon-neutral and eco-friendly Soy Aroma Candle, a calming Lavender Massage Oil and a soothing Sleep and Relaxation Salve.

Mabula PH, on the other hand, provides lovingly handcrafted, all-natural and organic multi-bars from the farmers of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur such as a set of five mini multi-purpose bars in papaya, turmeric, calamansi, turmeric and cucumber variants which can be used as facial cleansers, body soap or shampoo, as well as a conditioner bar to revitalize her locks.

Your mom might be stuck at home during Mother’s Day but you can make it a deluxe pamparing experience for her with this special floral care basket.

With this thoughtful and heart-warming gift, you can bring Mom a patch of sunny sky and summer blooms without having to leave home.

Other sets your mom would love from Stories & Blossoms include:

Stories in a Bag (Php1,300 to Php1,500). A tasteful curation of assorted preserved flowers in a transparent box with a gold chain handle, and comes with a 100-gram bar of Belgian chocolate. Treat her to an overload of sweetness with this arrangement.

Farmhouse Stories (Php1,800). Hydrangeas represent gratitude, grace and beauty. Gift your mom with a lavish hydrangea arrangement in a pretty farmhouse box to usher in bright and cheery feelings even during these uncertain times.

Take your pick from the many arrangements available at storiesandblossoms.com. Order your preferred sets now so that Mom can receive her pleasant surprise for Mother’s Day.

To know more about its newest arrangement creations and offers, like and follow Stories & Blossoms on Facebook or Instagram or call +63 967 5099050.

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to facilitate this feature article. Photos of Stories in a Bag and Farmhouse Stories used with permission from Stories & Blossoms.