Sunday, August 31, 2014

Century Park Hotel Still Got the Flair at 38


Oh my, I just realized that one of my favorite hotel is as old as me.  Ok, so now you know, I'm already 38, but hey, don't you think I still have the knack to pass for a 30 something woman.  So talking about the hotel, Century Park have made their celebration of hotel service a grandeur one yet incredibly marked down.  

Mark your calendar as Century Park Hotel welcomes its 38 years of service with splendid anniversary treats and freebies for the whole month of September.

First on the list is our awesome room package. Enjoy the celebration in our Superior Room at P5,500 net/room/night and Deluxe Room/ Jr. Suite/ Park Tower Suite at P6,500 net/room/night. Packages include complimentary breakfast for two plus a free Century Park Elite card worth P 2,000. Guests also get a special rate of P3,888 net/room/night for Superior room and P4,888 net/room/night for Deluxe / Jr. Suite / Park Tower Suite for the succeeding nights.

A delectable feast awaits everyone at the Century Tsukiji.

Indulge in an irresistible Japanese fare with our Anniversary Bento Box for P555+ per order and anniversary platter for P380+ per order.

Anniversary Bento Box, P 555 + per box 

Fire up your meal with vegetable salad topped with crispy salmon skin in special dressing sauce. Continue with pan-fried tanguigue in mint butter sauce; mixed breaded prawns, squid rings and onion rings with plain rice, seafood miso soup and pickles. Finish it with mixed fresh fruits for a satisfying treat.


Toast the celebration away with their Beverage Anniversary Bonanza. Delight in a wide selection of beverages all for P380 net.  Standard cocktails by the Carafe with your choice of Screwdriver, Rum Cooler and Cuba Libre, five bottles of local house beers from 4pm to 12mn, bottle of house wine when you order a bar chow or appetizer, our anniversary drink “Festive” which is good for two persons and “El Kapitan” drink when you order three. Promo is available at the Café in the Park, Century Tsukiji, Atrium Lounge, Palm Grove and Room Service.

Spread joy with delightful creations at Deli Snack. Bring home our anniversary cake Century Walnut Crunch for only P380 net. It is for free with a minimum spend of P 3,800 worth of delicatessen and bread items. More of your favorite delicatessen items are available at Deli Snack from 8AM to 8PM.


Enjoy a pleasant crunch in every bite of this chocolate-flavored sans rival cake with raspberry, cappuccino and pistachio cream fillings, finished off with chocolate ganache and chocolate ornaments.


Overflowing freebies are in store on our anniversary. Get a free bottle of house wine at the Atrium Lounge with a minimum spend of P1,000+ on regular food orders and also to couple celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary while dining with a full meal at the Café in the Park and Century Tsukiji. A free glass of house wine will be given to all 38 year old diners at Café in the Park, Century Tsukiji, Atrium Lounge, and Room Service during lunch or dinner if proof of birth is presented.

For more information, contact us at telephone no. 528-8888 or email us at information@centurypark.com.ph.


The Century Park Hotel is owned and managed by Maranaw Hotels & Resort Corporation.

On Health: Sylimarin In Action



Our liver does three main things: helps digest the food we eat, make proteins and gets rid of bad stuff.  All the blood that has visited the small intestines flows through the portal vein into the liver, so almost all of the nutrients we eat have to pass through the gauntlet of the liver before passing to the heart for generalized distribution. 

Why almost? There's a little absorption in our mouth and under our tongue, but almost means 99 percent for the typical person. The liver then decides what gets kept out, what gets patted down and inspected and what's allowed in to be distributed throughout your body.

In anatomy subject, we knew that the liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and performs many vital functions, including the ones I mentioned.  It is a vital organ that supports nearly every organ in the body in some facet.  This boils down to the fact that without a healthy liver, a person cannot survive.

In 2010, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or NAFLD prevalence in the Philippines is 17.2 percent. It is an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver cells. It can be harmless, but sometimes it may cause the liver to swell. It is a common condition. The risk factors of NAFLD include Diabetes, Obesity, High fat diet, and certain medicines.

“The first line of treatment would depend on what is the cause. If the cause is obesity, definitely weight reduction and exercise should be recommended. Sometimes we will refer them to nutritionists for proper guidance. If he/she has fatty liver, SGPT and the SGOT is high, that’s the time we give hepatotrophic agents for whatever its worth”, said Dr. Jane Ricaforte-Campos, an internist-gastroenterologist.

This September 4 at 6 p.m., join Trianon International in a health forum with guest speaker, Dra. Katherine Arupo-Reyes, an occupational medicine specialist, as we broaden our awareness for NAFLD and liver care.

For more information, visit our website at www.trianon.com.ph

Bistro Remedios' 30 Glorious Years with New Dishes



Before Abe, Fely J's and Lorenzo's Way, there was Ang Bistro sa Remedios.  1984, was it's conception and it has been 30 wonderful years of entertaining locals and foreign tourists alike with good traditional Filipino cuisine.  More known now as Bistro Remedios, together with it's sister restaurant, Cafe Adriatico, they had withstood a lot of changes in the culinary scene.


Together with the above mentioned restaurants and more, they all flourish together under one umbrella company- LJC Group of Companies.  LJC stands for Larry J. Cruz, the father of LJC Group and the man who sought happiness in adventure and delivered passion in all his undertakings.  I never knew him or read of him before I first stepped in Abe's Serendra a long time ago.  I wished I could have met him before he died, six years ago.  

However, after reading the book that was made for him and about how LJC, the company came about, I can attest that this guy deserve all the applaud, the curtsy and the loud cheers partnered with clinking of wine glasses. For he indeed redefined Filipino dining at its best.


Bistro Remedios used to be a house which they had and opened to cater to Manila's hungriest district.  Armed with Kapampangan way of cooking to highlight authentic regional dishes, they have attracted a lot of diners up until now while some of the establishments around it have been lost forgotten. 


This year, as they celebrate 30 glorious years, Bistro Remedios have launched new dishes.  I was glad to be amongst those were able to taste it before they were served to the customers.  

Though I'm a huge fan of LJC, and a regular diner to their restaurants, I must admit that it was my first time to come and try Bistro Remedios.  If you haven't visited them yet, let me give you a sneak peek of how the place looks like.






I love that they have maintained that vintage vibe in their interior, typical of the Spanish villas we had of olden times.


Well-curated paintings and old furnitures still adorn the place, it's just like visiting your grandparents old house in the province but expecting to have a  feast- that feeling!


So this month, prepare for different regional dishes given the Capampangan twist.   You may want to try some of what I have tried...

Paco Fern Salad

Pako also known as fiddle head ferns to the sossy eaters, when fresh, is crisp and crunchy and refreshing  especially in a salad with just tomatoes and salted egg and a drizzling of calamansi vinaigrette.

Sinuteng Baby Pusit

This is not part of the new addition to the menu but this is one of their well-loved dishes.  Squid-lings are sauteed with lots of garlic in olive oil and spiced with siling labuyo.   Probably added a dash a sugar giving it a sweet and spicy taste

Sisig

A Kapampangan feast is incomplete without Sisig, do you agree?  This dish is always the star of the table when having a guest over a dinner here.

Frog Legs

I'm sure you wouldn't have guess it as it is.  Disguised as chicken strips, these Frog legs battered and fried to crisp can beguile any exotic food eaters.  With this way of serving frogs, no one can make excuses not to eat frogs.  Oh, it is crazy yummy, though let me warn you for it the bones are still intact inside.

Camaru

Isn't this dinner getting interesting by the minute?  A sought after dish by those adventurous diners, Camaru (also spelt ‘kamaru’), is stir-fried in very little oil until they are toasted and crispy with some garlic, onions,  tomatoes and chili.  These are plump mole crickets (Gryllotalpa orientalis Burmeister) which are burrowing insects found in soft ground such as rice paddies.  To encourage you to try this, it's actually Ninoy’s favorite dish and have been widely sold on streets of Vietnam and Thailand as street food.
It's not really bad, it somehow resembles eating crunchy peanut but slightly soft in the middle.  For me it's better cooked a little toasted.

Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas

I only eat and buy bangus when it's boneless and from Dagupan.  I could not really tell where the Bangus here was from, but it didn't restrict me from not savoring this with its thick soup base made from pureed guavas.  This is also served in Abe and it's the go-to dish that I always recommend others when dining in Abe.

Lechon Kawali sa Gata

Inspired from Bicol's famous dish -Bicol Express, this dish would make a good choice of a viand for kids. My kids have somehow learned appreciating other dishes apart from fried meats, and having a thickened coconut milk sauce on their crunchy fried dish will definitely win them over.  This is not that spicy, it only has that right kick at the end of every bite.  Though expect more rice to be ordered with an order of this.


Pininahang Baboy
Tropical in nature, this pork dish is sweetened with with coconut milk and bits of pineapples.  I used to cook this at home, though I use chicken , instead of pork.  It was a so-so dish for me.

Adobong Hito sa Gata

Another first for me.  I never dared to cook hito or catfish, and never does it come close to my least favorite fish.  But for the adventure of it, I sampled some bites.  After getting a few bites, I never really realized that I was eating hito.  Busy sampling out different dishes, the thought of eating a very fishy kind never crossed my mind.  I like how it was cooked in coconut oil with a touch of Anatto oil (atsuete).


Crispy Tacyang "D Original"

Another sinful dish made its way to each of the tables, though I do have my own excuses not to eat them, I tried them, montheless.  I thought it would leave my mouth oily, but it didn't.  The huge chunks of bony meat were dry and crisp to the fork-bite.  Make sure you dip it in the garlic infused vinegar.  


Kalderetang Kambing

The secret to a good chevon stew (chevon is how an adult goat meat is called) is to remove the nasty taste and smell of the meat.   Grandmas know it but for some remains a unscrupulous.  
Bistro Remedios have learned pretty well.  Though the gamey taste is a little evident, the spicy tomato sauce have somehow elevated the meaty and savory taste, while giving a tender meat to the bite.  A must for every family celebration.


Sinugba Platter

Say, you want to impress someone, here is how you can win it, have a huge tray of perfectly charcoal grilled chicken and tiger prawns serve to your table and see how he or she delights in you and of course with the Sinugba Platter.


Gula Megalang

It was such a hearty meal we had that night, I was almost guilty of ingestic a lot of sinfully good classic dishes I have almost forgotten.  Thank God they also gave us a serving of Gula Megalang.  

It's like the fresh harvest season when all the nutrient packed green leafies were sauteed with diced squash.  So even when my appetite is almost at its end, I can still eat some more without having rice and have this veggies with the crispy meat from the Tadyang and a little more from the Kaldereta.

But I sure did leave room for dessert...


Maja Blanca Remedios

Though it just comes close to my favorite  LJC dessert, Sikreto ni Maria, I was enamored by the richness of this native delicacy.  The maja blanca, which is actually a pudding made from coconut milk solidified with cornstarch, is swimming in a mixture of coconut milk and condensed milk, laced with shredded coconut meat and pinipig.


Pandan Delight

Indeed a delight!  A cake we Filipinos can call our own.  The taste laid heavily on of course, pandan, from the base cake to the velvety frosting.  The frosting however is light and spot on my sugar meter.  I just snug my nose away from very, very sweet cake.


Turon with Langka 

When I'm at home, our house-help supplies us with Turon and Banana Que, which are heavily sugared by the way.  However, their version of Turon is just lovely.  The roll is fried without sugar, but it is served with caramel syrup separately.  So, you can eat it as it is or dip it in the syrup.  Whichever way, I like it.


After much deliberation, the newly added dessert, the Chocnut Cheesecake, proved to be the crowd favorite, I couldn't agree more.  The cheesecake base is rich and dense, a bit sharp on the cheese, which I love and the crushed chocnut on top that pleases everyone, conjuring pleasing childhood memories in every bite.


To that I will end this post on such delicious notes and might I raise my glass for more years to Bistro Remedios!



Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Search for Lucky Chinatown’s The Great Mooncake Bake-Off Year 2 is Now Open



Lucky Chinatown is calling on talented bakers to join The Great Mooncake Bake-Off Year 2, to be held on Sept. 5, 3PM at the Lucky Chinatown Atrium.

Teams of bakers can demonstrate their baking skills to create the most artistic and delicious mooncakes and win round trip domestic plane tickets and up to P20,000!

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens, of any age. To join, contestants can download an application form at www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com or at www.facebook.com/luckychinatown .

Along with the application form, each team member should attach 1 pc. 2x2 ID picture and photocopies of two valid I.D.s like current school I.D., birth certificate, Government I.D. like passport, driver’s license, SSS card or Voter’s I.D. Contestants under 17 are also asked to submit a signed consent form.

Representatives of schools, organizations or associations may submit their application forms to their respective school office, organization or association OIC.

Individuals not representing any organization may submit their forms at the Lucky Chinatown Concierge or mail to the Lucky Chinatown Admin. Office at Reina Regente St., Corner Dela Reina, Binondo, Manila, Philippines. ZIP:1006, addressed to Elizabeth Teng with the subject title:  Submission of application for The Great Mooncake Bake-off Year 2.

The registration period will start on Aug. 16, 2014, 10AM and deadline for submission of application forms are on Sept. 2, 5PM.

The Great Mooncake Bake-Off winners can take home great prizes –
the first prize winner receives round-trip tickets for two to Cebu plus P20,000,
while the second prize winner gets round-trip tickets for two to Puerto Princesa plus P16,000.
The third place winner receives round-trip tickets for two to Tagbilaran, Bohol plus P12,000.

For more information on The Great Mooncake Bake-off Year 2, please call the Lucky Chinatown Concierge at 576-8139 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

***
Per DTI – FTEB SPD Permit No. 2215 Series of 2014. See flyers for more details.

Friday, August 29, 2014

The 2014 Philippine National Barista Championship


Nothing beats a whiff of coffee aroma in the morning right? Or a good conversation of business and/ or matters of the heart over a steamy or cold coffee concoction.   Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or a regular instant coffee drinker, without it, it can make life less tastier, or even dull and unexciting.

Coffee drinking has become a habit for many, stats are increasing all over the world.  It would explain the growth of coffee shops emerging at every bend of the streets.  With the habit, more and more cappuccino and espresso cups are being emptied, and a great call for more baristas is on the rise, specially as the "third wave" coffee experience is gaining more popularity.  

Luckily, I belong to a country that not only have vast lands growing some of the best coffee beans but also a good pool of well-trained baristas who can whip up a plethora of coffee concoction and delight you with an aforable design on it, without being a show off.

On this note, I'm thrilled to announce the staging of the 2nd Philippine National Barista Championship on October 15 to 17.  This will take place at Resorts World Manila.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Food and Health Related Videos Everyone Should be Watching

photo credit

I'm having a quick break away from reviewing restaurants and new food discoveries, for I had been frantic lately about my daughter's erratic blood sugar readings.  If you don't know, I do have a 10 year old suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type 1.  Up till now we still haven't discovered how to magically reverse her case, which is an autoimmune disorder.  

Autoimmunity is a case when the immune system makes a mistake and attacks the body's own tissues or organs. We know that the immune system defends the body against infections and certain other diseases. It is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins known as antibodies.  It identifies, attacks, and destroys germs and other foreign substances.   Hard to accept but this is really happening and so far no cure had been found.  Case in point, the hullabaloo about the trending social media program for ALS.  ALS which stands for  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease is considered an "autoimmune disease."

Diabetes Type 1, as in my daughter's case is sadly to be among the list.  However, after a lot of personal research done by my husband and me, we found help managing her blood sugar which eventually led to developing our family's healthier lifestyle.

SUPERFOODS

One of which is consuming more Superfoods.  To pretty sum up what the nomenclature really stands for, let me share a video which I got from Youtube.   


At a very basic level, superfoods has been studied to be rich in particular nutrients. This could be an antioxidant, thought to ward off cancer; a healthy fat, thought to prevent heart disease; fiber, thought to prevent diabetes and digestive problems; or phytochemicals, the chemicals in plants responsible for deep colors and smells, which can have numerous healthful benefits.

The list for foods tremendously grew to up to 100 or even more, while taking note of having the need for organic means.   We began by incorporating three to five fruits and vegetables and snacking on nuts instead of junk foods.  Now, we have been in to juicing on a not so regular basis but I'm trying my best to give the family their regular fresh shots.


Dangerous Foods for Diabetics and Non-diabetics alike


First, of all, I myself is guilty after watching the next video.  However, we must stay in track and encourage our kids to stay away specially after knowing the harm it may only give to our health.



The best way to kick start your way to success to good health and better lifestyle is now, and taking precaution as early as now.  My mind and heart is clouded with what if's and I shouldn't have or I should have..."Only if I didn't indulge them in heavy amounts of sweets and pastries," or "I should have eaten a lot of this and that even before I was pregnant with my daughter."

But life has it's own way of teaching us, and it did made us into a stronger and more loving family.  
Hoping that this post may have somehow enlighten you and encourage you to choose health.




Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Snap & Shop 'til you Drop


Since OpenSnap came to the Philippines, more and more foodies (even with some Asian countries) have been re-acquainted with each other through their love for food.  OpenSnap is a photo application for android gadgets, backed up by OpenRice.  It provides users with personalized restaurant albums and can easily share their dining experiences wherever and whenever. Users could check the restaurant details by clicking the food photos, with more supplementary information for a perfect dining experience.  At OpenSnap, foodies gathered together in unison.

To boost the program more and get more people in the app, an exciting promo was created by the people behind the said app.

What if I tell you, that you could win Php 10,000 (pesosesoses) by just posting your food photo of the day, a feast can give you more chances of bringing the bucks home.

Ten winners will be chosen!

Here are the MECHANICS of how we can all have chances of winning:

1.  Register your Full Name, E-mail Address and Mailing Address HERE!
2.  Download the OpenSnap mobile app at Google Play and App Store. Share your food pics and add sticker using OpenSnap.
3.  Get 1 raffle coupon for every photo with sticker you uploaded at OpenSnap. The more photos you upload the more chances of winning.

The promo started last August 15 and ends on September 15, 2014, so that's one whole month to enjoy capturing your food and uploading them to OpenSnap.

More Info:  Photos must be in jpeg file and should not exceed 3mb.
                  Last day of uploading of photos is on September 15, 2014.


TERMS AND CONDITION:

Photo Uploading Conditions:

*Photos copied from other websites, blogs or other published materials are not allowed.
*One photo is equivalent to 1 raffle coupon.
*Deadline of photo uploading in 12 midnight of September 15, 2014
*Photos must be in .jpeg file and should not exceed 3 mega bytes
*Members who commit any form of plagiarism or submit false information will be automatically disqualify
*All photos will be screened and approved by the OpenSnap Editor.
*All promo entries cannot be used in conjunction with other OpenSnap promos.

Promo Winners:

10 OpenSnappers will win Php 10,000.00 worth of Sodexo gift certificates each.
Winner can only win once.
All winners will be posted in this promo page and will be announced in OpenSnap Philippines Facebook fan page.
All winners will be notified via registered mail and e-mail on how and when to claim their prizes.

Prizes:
There will be 10 raffle draw winners

*All winners will be posted in the promo page and will be announced in OpenRice Philippines and OpenSnap Philippines Facebook fan page.
*All winners will be notified via registered mail and e-mail on how and when to claim their prizes.
*All prizes can be claimed at OpenRice Philippines offices only during the given redemption period that will be stated in the email to winners. Schedule of claiming prizes are final.
*Prize redemption is good for sixty (60) days upon receipt of the registered mail as approved by DTI. *Provincial winners shall have the option of prize delivery, OpenRice shall shoulder the delivery cost.
*The winner shall need to bring at least one (1) valid ID with photo (e.g. SSS, Driver's License,Company ID, School ID, etc.)
*Delivery of prizes shall only be applicable for provincial winners
*Unclaimed prizes within the given schedule will be forfeited with the approval of DTI. No extension of deadlines.
*In case, the prize shall be taxable the winner shall shoulder the said tax.

Other Conditions:

No fee or any form of payment is required to join this promo
Employees of OpenRice, including its affiliated companies, and their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not allowed to join this promo. OpenRice partners and/or contributors are also not qualified to join.
All promo entries that fail to abide by the Promo Mechanics and Terms and Conditions set forth here will be disqualified.
In case of any dispute arising out of this promotion, the decision of OpenRice Philippines with the concurrence of the DTI shall be final.

Per DTI-NCR Permit# 1677 Series of 2014

Alright!  Sharing my photos start now!

NTBN:  We can follow each other at Opnesnap, my account is gastronomybyjoy



Monday, August 25, 2014

Teddy's Bigger Burgers By Far, My Best Burger Choice


The steady rise of more burger joints means more options for us burger lovers.  Top-notchers from across the globe joined other fast-food franchises and gourmet brands here in Manila to whet Filipinos' appetite for more tasty, comforting grubs, there's one from California, then from Canada and now from Hawaii.

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Hawaii’s top burger joint, has opened it's hibiscus-tainted doors, to answer foodies plight for perfectly-made burgers. 

This I would consider as another monumental effort of bringing quality American comfort food in our malls and top food spots.  With this, their first branch which debuted last August 23, 2014 at Greenbelt 3 was opened.  And boy, you'll be surprised at how Filipinos really crave for burgers.  As foodies from all walks of life lined up early, to be the very first 100 patron to indulge on huge burgers.  


So, what is Teddy's Bigger Burger all about?

Burger lovers themselves, Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula, have put up Teddy’s Bigger Burgers out of  pure passion for getting their well-loved burgers out, since they could not find any really good burger joint in Hawaii, well probably not in any restaurant that serves the same quality burger they cooked in their backyards. 


Last, August 20, I was blessed to be one of the first people to have tried some of their burger offerings.  The place speaks for itself, described as how they have set it up in other branches in different countries.  



It's all about reinventing how a burger joint should be, narrates Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Philippines Executive Chef Kirsten Habawel, who headed the Teddy’s PH team sent to train in Hawaii. The menu focuses on high quality burgers, where every single patty is treated like the very first patty they've ever cooked.”

Interestingly, since its inception in 1998, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has opened in 11 locations in Hawaii, and recently on US mainland in Washington and Iowa, with stores soon to open in California and Texas. The Philippines marks Teddy’s 2nd international location, following Japan.

Whoah!



When they said they reinvented the concept of burgers, the SIZES AND SPECIAL SAUCES matter.
To even break down to the very details here is how they have described their burgers. 

“Our patty is made from 100% corn-fed U.S. Black Angus ground chuck, shipped regularly from the US from the same supplier of Teddy’s Hawaii, with no binders or fillers,” reveals Habawel. “All patties are hand-pattied daily, with the special seasoning of Ted and Rich, and always charbroiled to order.”

Ground chuck is taken from the shoulder and neck portion of the cow, with prevalent meaty flavor and enough fat to ensure the beef does not dry out even when cooked on high temperature.
“We use a formula of 80% lean meat and 20% fat. This is ideal for burgers because it does not need extenders but retains its shape. Most of all, it makes for a juicy patty,” adds Habawel.

The patties have zero preservatives and are not injected with flavors. And because the patty is charbroiled, extra fat drips down instead of the patty swimming in grease.

Burger sizes also set Teddy’s apart, with “Big,” “Bigger,” and “Biggest” patties.

“Size definitely matters at Teddy’s,” Habawel notes. “Our burgers are bigger than the average burger. We start at 5 oz (Big) – that’s already a 1/3 pounder – and go on to 7 oz (Bigger) and 9 oz (Biggest) for our Original single patties, and our Monster Doubles (double patty sandwiches) go up to 10 oz, 14 oz, and 18 oz.”

Teddy’s Original Burgers are topped with a signature ‘Special Sauce,’ the burger joint’s own sweet and tangy creation.
“It’s not your usual thousand island dressing. The sauce is yellow, but it doesn’t have any mustard; it is actually an aioli that goes perfectly with our burgers,” Habawel explains. “The recipe, of course, is a company secret.”


Teddy’s Teri Burger meanwhile, is basted with a sweet teriyaki sauce – a traditional recipe made from scratch -- while the Western Burger is topped with barbecue sauce.

All sandwiches come with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions, but diners have the option to customize their burgers with a variety of toppings, including bacon, blue cheese, jalapeños, onion rings, and pastrami, among others.

Because all burgers are made to order, customers can also opt to reduce or remove seasoning, and use lettuce instead of bread as buns.

Nothing can complete their good burger without the golden in color potato buns, that are soft and delicate in texture, with a slightly sweet note that brings out the savory, smoky flavor of the burger.

Teddy’s sides include extra crispy fries and tots with a variety of sauces (cheese and garlic butter), and beer-battered onion rings.


What can best complement your burger?  Milkshake!

Teddy’s is also known for super thick milk shakes, in flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, peanut butter, rootbeer, dreamsicle or pineapple.  The staff recommended two flavors to mix, and it was spot on!  The photo above is a combination of strawberry and peanut butter.

The shakes are 90% ice cream and 10% milk. Unlike other shakes that are watered down with ice, theirs have a very rich taste, feel good taste.

Because of the locations for Teddy’s in the Philippines, the burger joint will soon be serving alcoholic beverages.

“Hawaii doesn’t have alcoholic drinks on their menu, but since we’re opening in malls with restaurants that offer alcoholic beverages, we’ll be offering both imported and local beers as well as some cocktails that were crafted specifically for Teddy’s,” adds Habawel.

Here is a great treat for those selfie and burger lovers out there:

From now until September 3, 2014, mall patrons at the Greenbelt Mall also have the chance to win a free burger from Teddy’s by taking a burger selfie with either the Teddy’s Bigger Burgers store board up or Teddy’s Bigger Burger standees around the mall. Participants must upload their photos on Facebook or Instagram account with the hashtag #teddysburgersph. The first 100 entries will win a free 5oz Teddy’s Original Burger.

For complete promo mechanics, and more information about Teddy’s Bigger Burgers PH, visit the official Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/TeddysBurgersPH).

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sunday Wandering at Pinto Art Museum


"Shalom I leave with you. My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. 
Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful."
 John 14:27 HNV (Hebrew Names Version)

SHALOM.

A big and deep word.  Have you encountered this word already?  

When visiting Israel, one of the first words you will learn is shalom.   More like saying "buon giorno" in Italy or "aloha" in Hawaii, it is used to say “hello” and “goodbye” to someone.  It is however defined in Wikipedia as a Hebrew word meaning peace, completeness, prosperity, and welfare and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.  In the NIV (New International Version), John 14:27 is written in this manner
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Those are Jesus' words of This is worth pondering though, to wish someone “peace” is a very nice thing. And, if shalom only meant peace, that would still be great. However, in Hebrew, shalom has so many more meanings than the word “peace” in English, which simply means, “freedom from strife and disorder; harmony; and to be quiet.”


In one of our Sunday wandering before going to New Life the Fort's last service, we managed to feel the shalom God intended for our family life in a vast place, a haven even.  It took as an hour to get there but we never minded, even the traffic, for after all, together we all are as we destined to Antipolo, and that's one shalom right there.


As we reveled with joy and amazement with what God had gifted our artists, the soft hills cascaded with lush greenery and Pinto Art Gallery stood majestically tucked in between the earth's bounty.


As "peace" being one small part of the meaning,  Hebrew words, as such, go beyond their spoken pronunciation. Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion. Shalom is more than just simply peace - it is a complete peace.  It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.  As what we have learned from New Life's preaching.

To give more meaning and stress to shalom here are exceprs from The Refiner's Fire:

According to Strong's Concordance 7965. Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew, the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid. 
Of course, there is only one way to find TRUE shalom - and that is in the Word of Jesus. Many search for fulfillment, happiness and contentment in material possessions, money, sex, entertainment, etc. But those things do nothing to fill "that little hole in our soul" that only GOD can fill! Those things only serve to distract and prevent us from finding true peace...the shalom that can only come from Him who created and put all things into place.


Aside from the inspiration I hoped to instill my girls, especially the eldest, Danielle, who is taking up Fine Arts, Bhogs and I, got enough inspiring ourselves with the vast collection of artworks, landscape, interior designs, architecture and nature-communing.



From the dramatic set up, to traditional culture and arts, down to the wild and funky paintings, sculptures and art installations, we had pure enjoyment and so much appreciation for our local Filipino talents.












 The beauty the surrounded us, have just encompassed all my thoughts about gardening and architecture.


 I was in awe...



Forgive me for posting these photos of me.  I just could not help but blend in...
Like you and many others, I'm God's masterpiece...


The irony of it all!  
I would not have traded my children for anything else, and I don't have to warn anyone against them, for they are blessed by God for us.

That's my daughter there on the photo above, who couldn't get enough of her favorite subjects.






I'm not yet done with my photos so please keep coming back fro more.

I would truly appreciate it if you could leave any comments or shout outs!

credit here

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