Trying Out Civet Coffee at Little Farmers Coffee Brim Now at Ayala Malls The 30th

Coffee ranks as one world's most valuable and widely traded commodity. People from all walks of life consume it on a daily basis and there are people who can go a day without coffee, and that includes myself. Many consider it as liquid gold, something that fuels their soul and body to get us going and allow us to function all through out the day.

Coffee beans are usually produced in what people call us the coffee belt which is the tropical regions of world. But they don’t just grow anywhere in the tropics; these crops are very picky on where they would grow best; the tastiest beans come from plants that are not only cultivated in warm, humid tropical environments, but in terrain that sits at high elevations.

Secrets to a Happy Marriage

When you’re home fresh from your honeymoon, it can be hard to imagine there will ever be any obstacles in your marriage. However, after a few months together, you might start seeing some challenges, especially if you don’t have much relationship experience. In reality, healthy marriage requires work, love, commitment and respect in order to give you back the happiness you deserve. Here are a few important keys to work on every day which will bless you with a successful marriage.

Be your authentic self
First things first, you need to be able to be yourself in your marriage. The more you express your authentic self, the happier, stronger and more fulfilling your relationship is going to be. And since most people put on masks for others, living your truth can be easier said than done. Being vulnerable takes not only time and energy but also the courage to tell all about your thoughts, desires and feelings. Even though hard, making these steps is key to a happy marriage.

Pretty Place and Good Eats: Cafe Freddo - BGC

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It may or may not be just a myth, but what if you are craving for breakfast but it's not in the morning or your day is upside down (i.e. you work night shifts). Good thing is that there are places where you can get breakfast all day.

And in BGC you can find a couple of these types of places because BGC is one of those cities in the Philippines that never sleeps because of 24/7 businesses in the area. One of those all-day breakfast restaurants in BGC is Cafe Freddo.

Scuba Diving: Basic Navigation Tips You Need To Know

Scuba diving is one of the most exciting underwater activities. Though there are professionals who scuba dive for research and analysis purposes, there are some who dive just for the fun of it. No matter the reason you scuba dive, it is important to learn to navigate underwater. Navigating underwater can be a bit tricky, especially since there are no roads, landmarks or signs. Here are a few tips to help you get a hang of basic navigation while you go scuba diving.

Plan Ahead
Just like any form of activity or travel, it is essential to plan ahead while you go scuba diving. You need to collect as much information as possible about the location as well as expected scenarios like rocks, coral formations, sandy patches, drop-offs wreck size and so on. You can usually collect this sort of information from dive operators or experienced divers in the region.

Revisiting Wai Ying Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown, Binondo

Not so many good news is coming out of China nowadays. Their continued practice of modern communism, the latest Corona virus epidemic, their issues with international relations, etc. But whether we like it or not, the influence of the Chinese people is evident almost in all corners of the world. You can also find them in most, if not all countries. One fine influence of the Chinese to all of us though, is their cuisine.

I don’t usually say it, but I really love Chinese food. This is maybe because Chinese cuisine is so integrated in Filipino food and former has a huge influence on the latter. A lot of household or home cooked dishes in most Filipino homes are somewhat influence by the Chinese cuisine, may it be super obvious – like the pancit and lumpia; and some subtle.

5 Questions to Help You Decide on an All-inclusive Wedding Venue

Planning a wedding on your own is more than overwhelming. If you are all set to have your dream wedding, then better start planning well in advance. However doesn't it seem a little too stressful to get ready for the wedding, choose your outfits, decide the guest list, the venue and take care of so many other details? Relax, help is nearby. Heard of the new lifesaver? It's the All-Inclusive wedding venue that comes with a wedding planner! Yes, you heard it right. Everything is included and you have the assistance from an expert wedding planner as well. Let us go right into the details of this awesome idea.

As the name suggests, the All-inclusive wedding venue is super convenient as you have everything you have dreamt of arranged in one place. The main purpose of hiring a wedding planner is to get things done consistently and thoroughly. You should have a list of your requirements before meeting the planner at the venue. Then discuss with him/her regarding your choices, likes, dislikes and dream wedding plans.

Sigekiya Ramen is Now Open at Estancia Mall!

If I am to be very, very honest, when I think of comfort food, it’s not ramen that comes to my mind. But I have friends and I know a lot of people who consider ramen as something that soothes their souls and taste buds. But if you serve me ramen, I will never say no to it; because it is Japanese food and that cuisine is my favorite of all. And with tsukemen, it’s another story altogether.

Sigekiya first opened in 2016 at Commercenter, Alabang and has become a favorite ramen destination for people from the South. After three branches in that area and four years later, they finally decided to bring what Sigekiya has to offer to ramen-lovers to people from the Central and East of Metro Manila, by opening their newest branch at also a new space – The East Wing of Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons, Pasig City.

TeaMi is Now Open at SM North EDSA Annex!

Milk Tea will always hold a special place in every Filipino's heart. Well, the milk tea craze may have peaked a couple of years ago, but the dust hasn’t settled yet we're all still sipping. And this has just confirmed that our love for milk tea is here to stay.

I can’t remember when it happened, but I had a conversation with fellow foodies and one asked what food trend do we think would go out this 2020. Someone said Korean BBQ buffet, someone said milk tea. Some agreed and some did not. But looks like both food trend is here to stay.

One of Manila's Best Fried Chicken: BAD BIRD - SM Megamall

Fried chicken is probably one of the fail-safe dishes that one can eat or prepare. You can eat it as is or you can find just about any side dishes that will go well with fried chicken. Although, you can eat it daily and no one is forcing you not to, eating fried chicken on a daily basis may not be beneficial to your health. But I get it, if you it a couple of times a week, especially if they are the juicy and plump ones. I remember I knew someone whose kid only fried chicken, all sorts and versions of it, and nothing but just that, although he isn’t sickly; I just can’t imagine LOL!

I have eaten so many fried chickens in my lifetime, name it, I have probably tried it. From the poorly cooked ones, to cheap street food version, to fast food and fast casual resto fried chicken, up to some gourmet types. I have found some that became my favorites. Fried chicken is also my default when I don’t feel like leaving my apartment to get food, like I said it’s one of the safest yet satisfying food mankind has ever invented.

Shari Shari Kakigori House - Authentic Japanese Shaved Ice Dessert Shop in BGC

They say the Japanese people do all things better. I couldn’t agree more with that, I mean have you seen their New Year fireworks during the annual New Year's celebration? I haven't seen anything like it! Ok, some of the fireworks display from around the world were grand too, but Japan had something new up their sleeves. It was majestic and super amazing.

In Japan everything is an art; and this is why I am so enthralled with this country and have been dreaming of visiting it in the near future. When I say everything, even with their food and also their desserts! I can’t remember if it was a friend or someone on social media who posted about those pretty desserts being sold in supermarkets and stores in Japan and I was totally amused.

Grillin Ape - Eastwood’s New Fast Casual Yakitori and Sake Joint

Could do believe that even though my number one favorite cuisine in the whole wide world is Japanese and that I have been travelling since 2009 that I have never been to the Land of the Rising Sun? One of my dream destinations is definitely Japan. I have always envisaged about the things that I would do when I go there.

I want to see the old castles and Shinto temples. To witness the sakura flowers bloom, see Mount Fuji, do a kimono wearing and tea ceremonies. And most of all, to eat my way throughout Japan. After all, food has the power to shape our travel memories. For now, I while I daydream my way to that day when I will finally set foot in Japan, and I plan to do that by discovering all the Japanese restaurants I can find in the metro.

Made Local from Local: Low(Cal) Cafe - Ayala Malls Manila Bay

I love so many things in my life and coffee is definitely one of them. A good cup of coffee can make even the earliest of mornings and longest of days a little more bearable. It’s our ever-reliable companion for long stressful days or nights. It’s also there for quiet weekend mornings or when we want to catch up with friends or family. It’s the liquid gold that fuels our body and soul.

I've visited a lot of coffee shops since I started my love affair with coffee back in college. Most times I go for the mainstream ones. But there are those that are not forerunners that I really liked and always go back to. I love discovering new places to get my caffeine fix and a lot of times the not so popular ones really stand out to me.

Avocadoria: Here to Fulfill Your Avocado Dreams

One of the seasonal fruits that I look forward to every summer is the avocado. I love it when my mumma or anyone in the family makes a dessert out of it. The best combination of avocado that I love to eat is when it’s with condensed milk and powdered it, making the mashed avocado super creamy and sweet. Before, there’s a limited amount of desserts that you can make out of an avocado, I can only think of that one I mentioned plus avocado ice cream and that’s it.

Nowadays, avocado is even being prepped as part of other savory dishes, like guacamole and avocado toast. The latter, which honestly, I don’t think I can eat. As a salsa, it’s tolerable for me. Avocado perhaps for me will always be a dessert fruit. No matter what people say or what savory dishes people invent out of them.

Yakikai Japanese Grill & Buffet: Newest Eat-All-You-Can in QC

Just when you thought all the never-ending consuming of food already stopped after the holidays and y’all now are ready to start your #BalikAlindog goals; well, don’t get mad at me, as I’m weak as you are too, but let me tell you about this newly opened buffet restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City: Yaki Kai Japanese Grill and Buffet! This new restaurant is located at the heart of Quezon’s City’s food hub specifically at Sct. Lazcano St. Tomas Morato  and is another concept brand of the people behind the, also, unlimited restaurant, Hodai!

Yaki Kai is a combination of two Japanese words: yaki meaning grilled and kai meaning gathering. At Yaki Kai you’ll be able to enjoy Japanese and Korean dishes including samgyupsal to your heart’s content. It’s a two-storey house-turned-resto can accommodate up to 150 people! They have parking too and can accommodate I think until 10 cars, but street parking is also allowed in this area.

A Bite of Hunan BGC x Jufran

Growing up, I was never fond of eating spicy food. As much as I could I would avoid them because I have very low tolerance for it. I also hate the numbing feeling that lingers on my mouth which in turn makes me drink more water, I get full easily and don’t get to enjoy the food I’m eating. But as I grow older, I’ve tried spicy food once in a while and I progressed to liking them that there was even a time I would always eat spicy Caldereta, dynamites (chili filled with cheese) and even a spicy Sinigang because I started to enjoy the kick. Although there are just dishes that are too spicy for me, but I am a brave girl, so I still try to eat some.

When I went to A Bite of Hunan for the Jufran Sauces Event, for some reason, it totally slipped my mind that what they are offering are mostly spicy food. I was like duh, Jen, “Hunan”… plus this was in partnership with Jufran and they were promoting their new line of sauces which were mostly spicy. But I am a big girl, I can do this! I just need more water or watermelon juice to help die down the sting of all the chilies and all the peppers! If you're not from the Philippines, you can try checking out Sachili for some infused chili toppings and amped up your dishes!

Spice Up Your Life with Jufran (Plus a #TaraySaSarap GIVEAWAY!)

I'm someone who's big with condiments because I like my food to be always tasty and have layers of flavors in it. Growing up, our kitchen has even a dedicated cabinet with myriads of condiments for our us to use whenever we feel like it. I don't think I have a particular condiment or bottled sauce that I didn't like. I'm not like my brother who doesn’t like vinegar or ketchup. I think he's kinda missing out since a lot of food really tastes well with vinegar and/or ketchup, right?!

Anyhoo, just last December I got first dibs on Jufran's new and some improved line of sauces which we got to try with several dishes from Bite of Hunan (that in another blog post). Check them out:

Personalized Gifts for Your Loved Ones!

A personalized gift does not mean it should contain the person’s name on that gift. Personalized gift is something that is well thought out, something that will say so much about the one who will receive the gift or something that represents the receiver. Moreover, it also tells that the one who is giving the gift values that relationship because he/she pays attention to the things that you value, the things that you love or the things that you are passionate about.

For me personalized gifts are always better. By that, I mean it is extra creative, extra sweet, and extra cool by giving them away personalized gifts. It's the perfect solution when you are so over braving crowded malls, and heavy traffic just to get something for that significant other.

Everything You Need To Know About LDL-Cholesterol

What is Cholesterol? It is very important to be aware of the amount of cholesterol in our bloodstream. But, before we start worrying about it, we need to know more about cholesterol and its role in our health. Cholesterol is a fatty substance and is often known as lipids. Insoluble in water, lipids cannot be transported in the blood on their own. To be transported, cholesterol binds to certain proteins and is carried in the blood. The combination of the protein and fats is known as lipoproteins.

While cholesterol is essential for the human body, high levels are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is more so in the case of cholesterol that is carried by low-density lipoprotein or LDL. Known as LDL-C, its measurements are used to evaluate the risk of any future cardiovascular problems.

Holy Wow! Holy Cow Sizzler's Meat All You Can for Only 399!

I don’t know if it’s only us Filipinos who love eat-all-you-can restaurants. Are we stingy or are we just the kind of people who want so much value for our hard earned money. Whatever the reason is, all I know that is true is that we love to eat, like a hundred percent!

With the proliferation of unlimited Korean barbeque chains, Filipinos nowadays wouldn’t settle for anything that doesn’t give them the bang for their buck. But like myself, I often get the feeling of over satiation with all these Korean samgyup that that I crave for something else once in a while. So if you’re feeling the same way that I do, you might want to try a different eat-all-you-can offering.

5 Benefits of Running a Coffee Shop in 2020

Finding the right business to dedicate your time, money and energy to might not be the easiest thing in the world, but it’s not the hardest either. It’s all about understanding what you do and don’t like doing, and then figuring out how to turn your passion into a career. For all those coffee lovers all over the world, opening a coffee shop or a café might be the business idea they could have, so if this is something you’d like to do as well, here’s why you should definitely open a coffee shop in 2020.

You’ll always drink the best coffee
This might not seem like the most important thing ever, but if you’re a true coffee enthusiast, it pretty much is! Insisting on only the best coffee in your area won’t just make your place popular and lucrative, but it will give you a chance to keep drinking amazing coffee every day of the week.