Mother Earth Bags is an advocacy project of four friends Nena, Joey, Kat & Angela, who believes in saving the planet one bag at a time. It may be hard to make a dent on the trillion plastic bags used every year, but saving hundreds a year per person is still something, right? Besides, how can you resist these cute bags?

The bags come in printed canvas (Php 95) and flour sacks, both plain (Php 35) and embellished (Php 65).

Now on to the good part! I just got my Mother Earth Bags, and I’m absolutely impressed. The craftsmanship on each is superb! The bags are made at The Livelihood Shop, a program that employs underprivileged women of Taguig. Not only are you helping the environment when you use the bags, you’re also providing these women with livelihood when you buy.

Mother Earth Bags are available on a per order basis, through their Multiply site. Or, you can win a couple of bags for yourself from Kainpinoy.com! To join, simply tell us which one of these phrases describes you perfectly:

1. I’m a mama’s girl.
2. I’m a mama’s boy
3. I’m one hot mama.
4. I honor my mother.
5. I’m bringing this to my mama.
6. My mother loves the Village People, Gunther and Hard Gay.

Post your answers in the comment box, and be sure to leave a valid e-mail address! This contest is open to all Kainpinoy.com readers, both in the Philippines and overseas. Contest closes on October 31st, and the winner will be drawn and announced on the 1st of November. I’m running a similar contest over at my travel blog, and yes, they’re independent of each other. You can join both contests to increase your chances of winning

While grocery shopping with my family, I wandered over to the chiller to pick up some cheeses and see what else is available. Nestled with the Yakult and yogurts was these small bottles of Nescafe Iced Coffee.

Just a tad bigger than the Yakult bottle, the Nescafe Iced Coffee comes in three variants: Original, Sweet & Creamy and Ginseng. Not a fan of ginseng, I picked up a bottle of Original blend, and two bottles of Sweet & Creamy. At Php 10, it’s cheap enough to buy a couple for taste testing. Apparently, it’s a pretty good buy as well. The Sweet and Creamy variant was exactly as it was labled: very creamy and not overly sweet (to me at least). The Original was good too. I was expecting it to be black, but it was already sweetened and had cream, though not as sweet and as creamy as the other variant.

So if you find yourself in need of a caffeine fix, but don’t have the budget for a pricey cup, head on to the nearest covenience store or grocery and pick up a couple of bottles of Nestle Iced Coffee.

John Lloyd with the Greenwich team

Greenwich’s Rufino branch was packed with media people, eagerly waiting the pizza and John Lloyed. At 4 pm, the guest of honor was ushered in, and camera flashes filled the room. After the introductions and raffle, the pizzas were brought out: Hickory BBQ Chicken and Grilled Beef Shawarma.

Greenwich Overloaded Hickory BBQ Chicken Pizza

The Hickory BBQ Chicken Overloaded Pizza was packed with toppings, and in one whiff, and you know the pizza’s bursting with flavor. And it was. The Grilled Beef Shawarma was the winner in my book, though. It was able to capture that shawarma flavor I’ve been hankering for. So much so that I had to resist the urge to roll the pizza slice and it shawarma style XD

Greenwich Overloaded Grilled Beef Shawarma Pizza

And to further prove that I hardly pay attention, I learned that afternoon that the Greenwich Overloaded pizzas are available in thin and thick crusts (which it turns, Ryan already blogged before). I’m partial to thin crusts, but in Greenwich’s case, I highly recommend going for the thick crust version. I find the thick crust softer than the thin crust, and are actually not that thick. I also found out why their pizzas aren’t as oily as other pizzas: they use olive oil!

Greenwich Pizza
Website: www.greenwich.com.ph
Delivery Hotline: 5-55-55

 
Normally, when we hear healthful food, we think of bland, and tasteless food. Well, Chef Leong came to show us that healthful food can also taste great.

During the event, she demonstrated how these products can be used as substitutes to other ingredients. By the way, most MCT products used in the demo are coconut based, such as the MCT COCOS Powder- which is a good substitute in recipes calling for coconut milk or cream-and the SUPER COCO Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.

 
She first made some Kaya, a Singaporean jam, using the MCT Cocos Powder and the COCOS Pandan Coconut Oil. These were then served for us to sample on some hot, toasted bread. That was the first time I’ve had Kaya, and I have to say, I loved it! It was so good.

 
Next, Chef Leong made a rice dish called Nasi Lemak, again using the MCT COCOS Powder and the COCOS Pandan Coconut Oil. These were served with the usual sidings.

 
Another Singaporean delight she made was the Dancing Singapore Laksa, her take on the traditional Laksa. It was basically the same, except that she used the Dancing Chef Laksa Paste, the MCT COCOS Powder and the COCOS Pandan Coconut Oil.

 
For dessert, Chef Leong made some Jingle Glass Jell-O, again using the MCT COCOS Powder in place of the milk. It looked pretty much like the Stained Glass/ Cathedral Windows Jelly we’re used to.

 
And, she also baked a delicious Pandan Cake using a rice cooker! How awesome is that?!

 
Who says you’d have to deprave yourself just to be healthy? This array of New Asian Style cuisine by Lisa Leong proves to us why great-tasting, healthful food is far from being a myth.

This cooking demo is made possible by Team Asia Corporation, the leading distributor of Highlanders Brown Rice Tea, Super COCO Virgin Coconut Oil, and Nano Wellness Cards in the Phillippines. For inquires, please call (02) 723-4461 to 64; email sales@teamasiacorporation.com, or visit their website : www.teamasiacorporation.com

I seldom go to Rockwell, so I asked Arpee and Noreen to pick out where we’d have an early dinner since they frequent the Powerplant mall. We went down to the lower ground, where most of the the restaurants are. We were overwhelmed with the choices, each restaurant with its own specialty. We were all set to go to Mongkok when we spotted a restaurant that is near and dear to the Lazaros: Milky Way.

I’ve only heard about Milky Way from Arpee’s blog, and I’m glad to finally able to try it. Milky Way is set up much like a turo-turo, where each dish is laid out in glass display and you point to the dish you want to order. My eyes were immediately drawn to the gorgeous pile of Pork Spareribs, and ordered one for myself. I ordered one order of rice to go with it, and a plate of Pancit Luglog.

When the food was served, I went about taking photos as I usually do (except when I’m extremely hungry). Arpee and Noreen, on the otherhand, having eaten at Milky Way several times before, didn’t bother and went about attacking their spareribs and Adobong Pusit. I heard Arpee gushing about the spareribs — how tender the meat was, and how flavorful it is. Quickly finishing my photoshoot, I put my camera and Gorillapod back in my bag and digged in.

I’ve learned to take Arpee and Noreen’s word when they say something’s good, but nothing prepared me for how good the food actually taste. The Pork Spareribs was great in every way — it’s tasty, it’s tender and it has a good proportion of fat at meat. Priced at Php 180 for one slice, it may seem pricey, but bear in mind that it’s a pretty big slice: it’s big enough to share. One rice is not enough for the whole slab, but I refrained from ordering an extra serving because I still have my pancit. The Pancit Luglug was another hit in my book. Unlike other palabok/luglog that tries to overwhelm you with the number of toppings, Milky Way keeps it simple with the delicious aligue sauce, hardboiled eggs, chicharon and spring onions. At Php 90 per order, Milky Way’s Pancit Luglog is a good choice for a filling merienda (try it with their Sago’t Gulaman, which I hear is another clear winner).

Milky Way
Concourse Level
Power Plant Mall
Rockwell Drive corner Estrella St.
Makati City

900 Arnaiz Avenue
Makati City

Ground Level, V-Mall
Greenhills Shopping Center
San Juan

I went around the market twice over, to see the offerings before I decide what to have for breakfast. I was thinking of having the Paella, Kaoko always rave about, but couldn’t find it. Still, there were plenty of stalls offering a wide variety of cuisine. In no time, I was torn between several choices.

In the end I ended up at the stall near the Bgy. Bel Air Clinic. Proudly proclaiming that they serve Wagyu burgers and shawarma, my interest was certainly piqued. I’ve been hankering for shawarma for some time now, and my curiosity about Wagyu pushed me to stop and buy from the stall.

This is the most expensive shawarma I’ve ever had. At Php 190, it raises your expectations. It certainly reached mine. The meat was tender and packed with flavor. The garlic sauce was especially nice, too. It was quite a way to satisfy my shawarma craving.

The Salcedo Community Market is open every Saturday, from 7am to 2pm.

Salcedo Community Market
Jaime Velasquez Park
Tordesillas and Leviste (formerly Alfaro) streets
Salcedo Village, Makati City
The market is open every

Girlie A. Camungay who said:

Im a person who can COMPLETE your day that’s why I can compare myself to Cherie. Cherie has a COMPLETE source of health benefits like carbohydrates(bread, pasta), protein(chicken, egg), and vitamin A & C (mango, vegetables). Its very rare to find a COMPLETE meal and so am I…

boy kuripot who said:

Given my tight work schedule, it’s always a balancing act between work and play. I play as hard as I work. To me, everything needs its balance! Even when it comes to meals, I see to it that I eat balanced meals. I need to have enough carbs, proteins, and nutrients that fits my diet. Of course flavor needs to be well balanced too! For these reasons, PHILIPPE Delifrance Tray Couture best reflects who I am. It has enough carbs from the pasta and bread to give me a boost for my busy schedule, enough proteins from the beef and tuna, and nutrients to last me the day. A well balanced meal for a well balanced guy like ME!

Lita Lim who said:

I’m the health conscious Amelia, because healthy need not be dull, bland and boring. It can be just as delicious as you want it to be, all a matter of choosing the right foods for you. I realized I want to live longer so I’ve made a conscious choice to have more seafoods, fruits, and vegetables. When you get to my age you get to think about wanting to see your grandkids get married… so now I’m more like the health conscious Amelia.

Tricia Andre Lorenzo who said:

I may be a girl but I’m the hearty and down-to-earth Philippe!

I don’t mind getting down and dirty when the occasion calls for it, like trekking in the muddy fields on the way to a mountaineering adventure. Believe me, I need energy to do that which is why I prefer my meals hearty!

Don Eleazar Balboa who said:

I go with Philippe because I flip out whenever I get to taste my favorite meat ingredients (tuna & beef!). Plus its my birthday (27th), so I guess I deserve a great treat from Delifrance. I also make my own version of beef stroganoff (w/ reed beet, red wine, special sauce), so I wanna explore the Delifrance way, the real way it is done…

Millette who said:

I’d say the Philippe Delifrance Tray Couture is the one for me!

I eat heartily and so PHILIPPE it is!

The Beef Stroganoff dish over noodles and tuna clubhouse would definitely satisfy my gastronomic appetite! I work like a horse and I would need all the protein to meet up the demands of my busy schedule.

Ronald Delima who said:

Sporty personality of mine,
A Philippe coutery could well define.
Tuna, Onion and Mayo Clubhouse dish
its truly every health buff’s wish!
Beef Stroganoff Pasta galore
for extra energy to let you do more.
My Philippe is quite a yummy treat,
a delightful meal thats quite hard to beat.
So go on, give Philippe a bow,
Head to Delifrance and order one now!

Danilo M. Reyes who said:

I’m a Philippe because I’m a straightforward and no-nonsense type of guy. I believe in working hard and playing hard. I need my carbs and my protein, and what better combination than fish, beef, bread, and pasta?

My energy I can keep
just by ordering a Philippe

I can go on and on all day
Taking on anything that comes my way!

JJ who said:

An Amelia I truly am. Because I may look meek and mild on the outside, but I am just as naughty and spiced up on the inside! A gastronomic dichotomy of sorts to match a seafood-pomodoro fusion.

letsgosagoDOTnet who said:

I am a Philippe, u know why?
Coz tuna & pasta I love to try.
I am a Philippe, don’t dare pry,
Or I’ll roll on the ground and cry. =)

Congratulations to all the winners! You can claim your prize at Unit 7C, 114 Tuscan Bldg., V. A Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Contact numbers are 812-8828, 812-9199, 0917-523-4624. Look for Ms. Joyce Pogoy.

Much love to Delifrance and GeiserMaclang for making this contest possible

Jollibee is coming out with a new sundae variant that lets you indulge without having to spend a lot: the Black Forest Sundae. Our favorite vanilla soft serve ice cream is smothered in rich dark chocolate syrup, blended with a drizzle of cherry syrup, served with moist brownie chunks from Red Ribbon and dark chocolate bits, and a slice of cherry on top. The best part? It’s only Php 35 pesos.

This sumptuous treat will be available in Jollibee branches starting September 24, 2008.

Good news to all Chao Fan lovers like myself!

Chowking now has four variants of Chow Fan: Spicy, Beef, Pork and Yang Chow. I love all four, but I have to say that the Yang chow– with Chinese chorizo, shrimps, chopped vegetables and fried egg–, and the Beef Chao Fan–packed with a rich, beefy flavor, beef bits and chopped vegetables–are my faves.

Do you want even more good news? Even though there’s a rice crisis, they still managed to make it affordable. Chowking Chao Fan goodness starts at PHP 39.00.

I’ve always loved Chao Fan. It’s something that I order whenever I eat at Chowking. Already great on it’s own, I often pair it with a plate of sweet and sour pork, or a serving of either siomai or lumpia.

http://www.chowking.com/global/

At the back of SM San Lazaro in Manila is Celadon Manila, a leisurely residential community by ALVEO Land Corp. Every Sunday for the month of September, Celadon Manila plays host to PICK Manila– the first lifestyle weekend market in city.

If you are a foodie like myself, you’ll be able to go on a food trip with the big mix of culinary delights they have to offer– form Filipino staples like embotido, relleno, aligue (crab fat)–which I had to stay away from (a bit hard, but I managed)- leche flan and other native delicacies to international fare like Japan’s sushi and Italian sodas.

They even sell organic products like organically-grown brown rice and herbs. Gourmet items, foreign and local, like honey and coffee are also sold by some stalls. Fresh fruits and baked products like breads and cakes are also available.

For the fashionistas and home make-over lovers, PICK Manila also offers a showcase of some of the most novel and exciting finds. Shoes, bags, tops and fashion jewelery for the stylish urbanite and intricate home decor made of glass, wood, and fabric inspired by different cultures for the interior-savvy. I spotted a little wooden decoupaged case and a nice big lamp, both of which were just screaming for me to take them home.

Though I wasn’t able to take home the box and lamp, I did manage to snag myself a bag of Kalinga coffee which everyone has been raving about. I also bought some fruit and baked goods.

If you’re not doing anything tomorrow, why not check out PICK Manila. Head on over to Celadon Manila and experience it yourself.

PICK Manila is open on Sundays from 7AM to 2PM.

CeladonManila is a development by ALVEO Land Corp. Please visit: www.celadonmanila.com.ph for more information.

* Promotional photographs were provided by the concessionaires through ALVEO Land Corp.