Reinventing the Family Favorite - U.S. Mashed Potatoes with Kale Colcannon

 

My babies' first solid foods were vegetables and they always included potatoes. My husband and I love mashed potatoes, and we think our kids inherited this love for taters from us! Danaera, our toddler, is no exception.

However, mashing, grinding, and mixing veggies take a lot of time and effort.  So, I gave a happy sigh of relief when I discovered U.S. dehydrated potatoes!

U.S. dehydrated potatoes can be quickly reconstituted into the best and fastest-made mashed potatoes ever. They are made of REAL potatoes, just with the water removed. They provide all the wonderful flavors and nutrients found in fresh potatoes.

I love serving potatoes to my family. They are an excellent source of vitamin C for immunity support, potassium to help maintain normal blood pressure, and complex carbohydrates for energy. Potatoes also contain dietary fiber, protein, iron, and vitamin B6.

And based on experience, potatoes are awesome for babies! They can be pureed, mashed, small-diced, or chopped, depending on the baby’s tolerance for solid foods. Versatile and mild, it is perfect for mellowing out the flavors of other ingredients. It is important, however, to slowly introduce flavors to babies to minimize pickiness and food aversion in the early stages. 

Since our Danaera loves mashed potatoes, I try to always put a spin on my recipes, so she can also experience different tastes and textures from other ingredients.  I use kale and spinach, a little cheese, and sometimes a bit of pasta as well. 

When I was searching for new mashed potato recipes to try, I chanced upon an Irish traditional recipe where mashed potatoes are mixed with macerated leafy vegetables, like kale and cabbage.  It was perfect! I didn't know that the procedure I've been doing this whole time already has a name, hahaha! It is widely known as Colcannon, which is served throughout the year in Ireland, and most especially during St. Patrick's Day.  

Sharing the recipe below:

 

US Potato and Kale Colcannon

 Ingredients: 

 

·        1 cup U.S. dehydrated potato flakes

·        1 cup baby kale, shredded

·        1/3 cup green onions, chopped

·        2 tablespoon butter (plus 1 tablespoon for topping)

·        2 cups milk

·        1/3 bouillon cube

·        salt and pepper to taste

 

Procedure:

 

1.    Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.

2.    Sauté white stalk of the green onions, add the kale and wait until it wilts.

3.    Pour in the milk, add the bouillon cube, and salt and pepper.

4.    Add the green onions.

5.    Wait for it to boil and turn off the heat.

6.    Slowly add the potato flakes. Mix thoroughly.

7.    Top with the rest of the butter and green onions.

8.    Serve warm.

 

For more info on the different varieties and forms of U.S. potato products available in the Philippines, click these links: 

 

https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/

https://www.instagram.com/potatoesusaphl/

https://www.potatogoodness.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/MommyBloggersPH/ 

https://www.instagram.com/MommyBloggersPhilippines/  

 

#PotatoesUSAPHL #PotatoesUSA #USPotatoes #PotatoGoodness #PotatoGoodnessPH #CookingWithUSPotatoes #EverydayUSPotatoes #MommyBloggersPhilippines

All Set for the Maynilad Paperless Billing

 

This pandemic changed our ways in so many ways, as we continue to safely navigate our way to the new normal, we are still in constant fear of being in the crowd and getting the dreaded Covid-19 disease.  Good thing facilities and services that provide us groceries, electricity, and even water continue doing a good job.  Of course, with that we also must take the responsibility in paying our dues.  And I’m happy to share you my experience with Maynilad Paperless Billing.

You’ve heard it, Maynilad have gone paperless and they are encouraging their customers were asked to register online so that they can access their bill and be able to also pay online, if possible, which is safer and more convenient given the ongoing threat of COVID19.

 

Maynilad Paperless Billing is a program that allows Maynilad customers the option to receive an Electronic Statement of Account (e-SOA) instead of the physical copy of their SOA.

I like this way better for it has such good points, like removing the need for physical contact with meter readers to get your hard copy SOA, thus preventing possible COVID-19 transmission.

Below are some more such benefits as well that you can enjoy when you register to the program:

 *  It allows customers to access their e-SOA anytime, anywhere.

 *  It makes the tracking and monitoring of previous e-SOAs easier and more convenient.

 *  It eliminates chances of losing or misplacing your water bill.

 * It provides an option to get bill notifications via SMS and/or email.

 * It reduces paper consumption and is, thus, environment friendly.

 

If you are the registered owner or the tenant/occupant, you can enroll in the program, just note that one enrollee per account only can enroll.

I used to get reminder of payment from my cellphone and my husband’s email (for he was the one who registered our account online.  But ever since we enrolled, we don’t have any idea of what was behind the bill at all, like how we have consumed for the month and if the amount we’re due is either higher or lower than the last we had.  When you enroll to the Paperless Billing program, you can get a copy of your e-SOA via email or when you log-in to My Water Bill portal. I checked in at  https://mywaterbill.mayniladwater.com.ph// saw an overview of our account. Aside from the billing summary, there are certain features on the right side: PAY Now, Billing Bar Chart and Water Bar Chart.

 

The Pay Now feature lets you assign a bank or a payment center where you can pay your bill online, no hassle!  The Billing Bar Chart shows your bill for the past three months, while the water bar chart shows your average consumption, also for three months.  These two charts help you compare your water usage and check for any anomalies or wastage.

There are other cool things to see on the website so better register your account and make your life easier, economic, and safe.

Here are reminders from Maynilad regarding Paperless Billing Program:

 

  Customers with My Water Bill online portal account as of October 22, 2021

 

All customers with My Water Bill online portal account as of October 22, 2021  werewill be pre-enrolled in the program. If you are one of them, like me, you probably did not receive a printed copy of your SOA starting this month., thus they will stop receiving a printed SOA starting with their November 2021 billing.

These customers will receiveI got an advisory regarding the pre-enrollment of my account to Paperless Billing via SMS and email notifications. regarding the pre-enrollment. Those who are not interested to enroll in the program may opt out. Just text MAYNILAD<space>OFF<space>PAPERLESS<space>CONTRACT ACCOUNT NUMBER send it to 09191626000.

Note: If the customer decided to opt out less than three working days before their reading date, the customer will still be automatically enrolled in the program. The unenrollment will only take effect in their December 2021 billing. 

Customers who are not pre-enrolled

 If you were not part of the customers who were pre-enrolled, no worries as you can still register to Paperless Billing program. Customers who will create My Water Bill online portal account starting October 23, 2021 onwards

 

You just need to create a My Water Bill portal account first, as mentioned earlier. T, this is where you can view the details of your account, including your previous 12 months e-SOAs.

 

To create a portal account, just follow these steps:

1.            Visit https://mywaterbill.mayniladwater.com.ph/.

2.            Enter your Contract Account Number (CAN).

3.            Nominate a password (The password should be between 6 to 20 characters with at least one (1) uppercase and lowercase letter, and one (1) numeric digit).

4.            Set security questions to secure your account.

5.            Select your personal image.

6.            Input your contact information.

 

Enrollment can be done via SMS once the account has been validated.

To enroll, once you have a portal account, you can now enroll to Paperless Billing.  Jjust follow the syntax below and send it to 09191626000.

MAYNILAD<space>ON<space>PAPERLESS<space>CONTRACT ACCOUNT NUMBER

The customer just must ensure that the mobile number being used for the enrollment is the same mobile number registered in the My Water Bill online portal account.

 

Ø  Other customers

 

You Otherwise, you may contact us Maynilad through any of the following channels and provide your name, Contract Account Number (CAN), mobile number, and email to enroll in the program.

1. Maynilad Hotline 1626 (Metro Manila) or 1-800-1000-92837 (Cavite Province)

2. Official Maynilad Facebook page (/MayniladWater) or Twitter account (@maynilad)

3. Maynilad Email: customer.helpdesk@mayniladwater.com.ph

4. Maynilad Business Area (BA) Offices

5. Maynilad Zone Specialists

6. Maynilad Website (https://www.mayniladwater.com.ph/contact-us/)

 

If you’re worried of your online security, don’t be, as there will be no cause for concern, as any data and information collected from customers during the process of enrollment are subject to Maynilad’s Data Privacy Policy. Visit this link to know more: https://www.mayniladwater.com.ph/privacy-policy/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Yummy and Healthy Blueberry Christmas

When I was baking for my food business way back when I only had two kids (I now have five!), the Blueberry Muffin was one of my bestsellers. I only had access to canned USA Blueberries (Comstock brand) then, and it was hard to source frozen, more so fresh blueberries.

 

Times have changed! Blueberries are now readily available, thanks to USA Blueberries. There are now more options of canned, frozen, and fresh USA Blueberries that you can find in stores nationwide.

 

I enjoy cooking with blueberries. I love them in my pastries, jams, and dips. The burst of flavor is fantastic! It’s both sweet and tart, making them perfect ingredients for savory dishes, too.

 

But above all, I love this berry for the health benefits it provides the whole family. This nutrient-dense fruit is low in calories at only 80 per serving, rich in vitamin K that helps regulate blood clotting and packed with manganese for proper bone development. It is also a good source of vitamin C for a healthy immune system and dietary fiber that helps keep cholesterol in check.

 

Blueberries may promote good health in additional ways: cardiovascular health, brain health, exercise, insulin response, and gut health. My daughter is diabetic, and I am happy to know that blueberries can fit into a diabetes-friendly meal plan.

 

These lovely berries taste great, are healthy, and are fun to use in the kitchen! Seriously, what’s not to love about them?

 

I am sharing with you a dessert using four simple ingredients. I came up with these beautiful Danish pastries that go so well with tea or coffee.

 

USA Blueberry Danish Pastries

 

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen USA Blueberries, thawed

1 pack store-bought puff pastry

1 tub cream cheese

1 egg (lightly whipped)

optional, strawberry slices

optional, honey to sweeten

 

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 425F for 15 to 20 minutes.

2. While still cool, roll the sheets into an 8-10 inch square. Cut each square into 4 smaller 4-5 inch squares.

3. You will need 2 squares for one puff.  Cut out a square in the middle of 1 puff. Put it on top of the other puff.

4. Spread the cream cheese inside the square and top with blueberries (and sliced strawberry)

5.  Brush the pastry with the scrambled egg and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

 

Additional note:

You may opt to mix heavy cream and vanilla into the cream cheese, but I just let the flavor of the blueberries shine without adding any sweetener.

 

A Blue Christmas – Recipe Contest by USA Blueberries

 

Allow me to announce an exciting contest where you can win P5,000 worth of GCs! Below are the mechanics:

 

·        The contest is open to all Filipino citizens based in the Philippines and must be at least 21 years of age.  No purchase is required to join the contest.

·        Post the photo/s of your USA Blueberries holiday dish using frozen and/or canned USA Blueberries on Facebook and Instagram.

·        Post must include full recipe and must mention and show the brand of USA Blueberries used.

·        Use the hashtags #ABlueChristmas #USABlueberriyRecipeContest #USABluberries #USBluberriesPHL and tag @usbluberriesphl and the influencer you follow (@joyfelizardo).

·        Participants may send multiple entries but can only win once.

·        Deadline for submission of entries is on Dec. 15, 2021.

·        There will be 10 winners.  Entries will be judged based on the following:

- USA Blueberries as the main ingredient – 50 points

- Originality – 25 points

- Visual impact – 25 points

·        Winners will be informed via private messages and announced on USHBC-Philippines’ social media.

·        Each winner will receive gift certificates worth P5,000.

·        The decision of the judges is final.  All entries will be considered property of USHB-Philippines.

 

Send your blueberry recipes now! Please make sure your recipes are fun, unique, and creative; remember that ORIGINALITY is worth 25 points!

 

# # #

 

This article was written in partnership with USHBC in the Philippines. Visit www.blueberry.org and like and follow USHBC-Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more blueberry fun, cooking tips, recipes, videos, and trivia.

 

2020 Up in Flames: Kenny Rogers Roaster’s Fitting Year-ender

Who can ever forget 2020?  

It's the year that brought about a volcanic eruption, super-typhoons, and a global pandemic which caused everyone to rethink how they should live their lives. Set aside some silver linings, 2020 has proven itself to be universally cruel to the world and has made everyone eager to move forward from it.

7-Eleven Keeps the Holiday Spirit Alive With #711Bayanihan Campaign

 

The pandemic and recent calamities have led Filipinos to become more cautious about celebrating the holidays. But knowing us and our love for Christmas, we will always find a way to keep the holiday spirit alive for our loved ones. To make things easier, the ever reliable 7-Eleven is here to bring its community even more convenience with its Bayanihan Savings and Selections (#711Bayanihan) initiative!

Starting December 14, you can run to your neighborhood’s nearest 7-Eleven store to shop for your day-to-day needs and holiday essentials at budget-friendly prices! And yes, that includes all the basic ingredients you will need to prepare your Noche Buena and Media Noche gatherings.

U.S. Potato Bruschetta

 

Have you made your Christmas Noche Buena menu already? Or maybe you have been looking for a snack idea for your choosy and "pa-healthy" members of the family? 

I'm sure with the quarantine restrictions in effect, we can only try our best to have a merry gathering just for the family and maybe an e-celebration with your loved ones via group chats or meetings app. So, better make that meal not just extra yummy but Instagram and Pinterest-worthy.

Shopee Launches 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, Celebrates 5 Years of Digital Acceleration in the Region

 Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up the year-end sales season and marks its fifth birthday by launching its annual 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Its recent 9.9, 10.10, and 11.11 shopping events set new records and signified the changing landscape and potential of e-commerce in the region. This 12.12, Shopee celebrates five years of digital acceleration in the region and highlights three key trends that have shaped and will continue to drive the growth of e-commerce: Social, Personalization, and Integration.

Out with the Old, In with the New: Introducing, Doña Elena Olive Oil's New Look

 
In the new normal world, we crave for nourishments that is healthy, affordable, and something that is easy to create home-cooked meals. And why not?  Most people will agree that cooking is a way we can bring some order and a sense of pleasure in our lives right now. 

Whether you’ve been looking for ways on how to cook deliciously affordable meals or wanting to feel empowered in the kitchen, Doña Elena, the country’s no. 1 olive oil inspires you with some thoughtful ideas that won’t only sustain, but will also bring comfort during this time of corona.

 A new look that you’ll love: Introducing the new Doña Elena Olive Oil bottle that’s recognizable for patrons and accommodating for first-time users

 

Celebrated for its perfected combination of premium-quality olives directly sourced and harvested from the farms of Andalucia in Spain, Doña Elena Olive Oil has been dominating the market for a full decade now. We break down what makes Doña Elena Olive Oil the ideal choice in preparing home-cooked, restaurant-quality meals that will inspire you to cook healthily at home!

 

Packed with the good stuff

What separates Doña Elena Olive Oil from the rest of the field is its ability to take an already-healthy dietary staple up a notch and make it even fuller in flavor.

 

Extracted from the fruit of olive trees, olive oil defines the Mediterranean diet. Countries like Spain and Greece that have it as part of their native cuisine touts some of the world’s healthiest populations, thanks in large part to the health benefits of olive oil. 

Doña Elena Olive Oil is a blend of high-quality hojiblanca and picual olives Doña Elena’s offerings, in particular, are rich in good fats and oxidants through the combination of two types of olives, hojiblanca and picual. Each bottle contains 80% monounsaturated oleic acids, which is proven to regulate insulin and support weight management according to research. The heart-friendly fat is also known for supporting the health of the heart and enhancing brain function. These two organs could be hit by COVID-19, studies say.

 

Doña Elena Olive Oil comes loaded with high levels of antioxidants like polyphenols and is packed with vitamins E, K, and A that helps lower bad cholesterols.

 

Everything for anything

As diverse as the health advantages of olive oils are in its applications, Doña Elena Olive Oil comes in three variants to make any type of dish shine with flavorful and aromatic taste. There’s Extra Virgin for dips and salad dressing; Pure Olive Oil for pasta and everyday cooking; and Pomace for roasting and frying.

 

What’s more, Doña Elena Olive Oil is the only brand that offers the most comprehensive sizes. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen rookie, Doña Elena’s Pure, Extra Virgin, and Pomace are conveniently available in 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 Liter, and 5 Liter PET bottle sizes so you have all the options for every purpose and need.

 

As tasty as it looks

To make sure that the packaging of Doña Elena Olive Oil does justice to its quality, a renowned French designer was tasked in 2017 to create a new bottle befitting a well-loved premium quality product. The result is a strengthened brand identity that is at the same time recognizable to patrons and accommodating to first-time users.

 

Doña Elena Olive Oil’s carefully curated bottle design is a stand-out for its elegant and functional design

 

The new packaging includes two significant, fine engravings on the bottle that are exclusively Doña Elena: the Doña Elena insignia near the top, and the olive fruit near the base. Another detail that customers enjoy is the usage recommendation per variant that is printed on the label, making it easier to choose the right olive oil for your cooking needs.

 

For whatever occasion, Doña Elena Olive Oil comes through as the perfect culinary companion in preparing delicious meals that are good for the health and light on the wallet.

 

Doña Elena Olive Oil is available in all groceries and supermarkets nationwide. Buy online beginning November 20 at www.AceMarket.ph.  

 

#QuakerStrongRecipes: Chef Miko Aspiras Quaker Oats Cream Pie

Corona Virus is real, it's too real to me as I'm nearly drowned with sorrow.  You see I never realized it could really affect everyone until it had hit us.  My parents in Milan, Italy got the virus and so does my siblings and their families, including the kids.  Sadly, my mom got deeply impacted as she already had been suffering from acute kidney disease and having her dialysis at their home, even though they are careful, they still got the dreaded virus and my mom perished in the hospital. 

More than ever, we have to take Covid 19 seriously, and so does other viruses.  We never knew when or how it may hit us, but if our immunity is strong enough we will survive.  

I'm thankful I have several munchies and supplements at home that does the job so well of keeping my family protected. One of that is Quaker Oatmeal.  I've had it all my life and I didn't really realize that it too can be very helpful in boosting our immunity, warding off virus threats.  I thought it's just a good way of keeping our guts and hearts healthy as it is rich in soluble fiber beta-glucan. which reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promotes healthy gut bacteria and increases feelings of fullness.      

Milk and Eggs Aice Ice Cream Made to Boost Immune System

I'm sure many have already tried a certain variety of Aice Ice Cream, one, because it's the most affordable ice cream on stick and has lots of flavors to choose from.  

Did you know that Aice originated from Singapore?