by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 4, 2017 | Lifestyle
If you are a Filipino and you often do the cooking or the grocery shopping then you are familiar with Minola cooking oil.
Minola has been a staple in our kitchen for as long as I remember. Growing up I spent a lot of time in the kitchen learning to cook and bake. Many Filipino dishes start off by sautéing garlic, onions, and tomatoes and Minola is perfect for that.
Minola has no strong smell or taste. It is a clear fluid. What I like best about it? It is a locally produced product and is derived from coconuts.
Minola is made from coconut oil
The coconut is one of the most robust and useful members of the plant kingdom and can be found in tropical and subtropical countries all over the world.
“It offers the greatest means of sustenance to the natives, for they obtain from it wine, fruit, oil, and vinegar.”
– Capt. Artieda (around 1564), vol 3, p. 202.
There are two (2) kinds of fat: saturated and unsaturated fat. For many years we’ve been told that saturated fat is bad for us, that it causes many illnesses, cancer included. But research revealed that when they said “saturated fat” they really meant animal fat.
Photo courtesy of www.dred.com
Coconut oil is also classified as saturated fat but unlike animal fat it is rich in lauric acid which is found in mother’s milk. This means that the first food we were introduced to was the best for our body, so how can Minola oil be anything but good for us?
There are so many varieties of cooking oil in the market … soy, corn, palm, olive, and canola to name a few. And for every variety there are so many brands. So how can we decide which one to get?
My personal take on it is … let’s go healthy and let’s support our own.
Minola cooking oil is made from coconut and is locally sourced and made by the San Pablo Manufacturing company for more than 50 years now. Recently they introduced the Palm Olein cooking oil and the Minola margarine.
Healthier ang relationship with Minola cooking oil
Minola is sexy
Minola makes healthy sexy. It illustrates it with this funny, sexy commercial.
The first time I saw that commercial it cracked me up. It was funny, it was sexy, but more importantly, it was sweet! It didn’t extol the medicinal benefits of Minola cooking oil but it promoted emotional health in a relationship. It is a simple way to spice up a relationship, don’t you think?
Minola is love
This commercial is not funny, it is not light. It was touching and sweet and tackled a topic that most people do not openly talk about.
Good relationships are hard to come by. Relationships that last are even harder. It helps when there is something in the relationship to keep the spark alive – something like great cooking with Minola cooking oil by the one you love.
External applications of Minola
Minola oil is made from coconut oil, which makes it great for other things besides cooking.
Minola for Hair and Scalp Care
Hot oil treatments are the common organic/natural answer to hair and scalp care. As the weather turns from hot to cold and hot again our scalp starts to flake and our hair dries out and gets split ends. Regular treatments with Minola coconut oil is an inexpensive yet effective treatment.
I know some people who have said they do the whole hot oil treatment routine of warm up the oil before applying it to their hair and scalp. Then they wrap their head in cling wrap and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before massaging the scalp and then washing it out and towelling dry.
Some I’ve heard go simpler. They just take a little Minola oil in their palm and then rub it straight into their hair and scalp. Once coated, they let it sit for a few minutes then they wash it out.
Whether treatment 1 or treatment 2 the end result is the same … strong, beautiful hair and flake-free scalp!
Minola for removing makeup
Taking off make up is not easy, especially when removing eye makeup. Coconut oil is currently a trend in makeup removers. If you were to search online you will see expensive brands of coconut oil make up removers. But why spend so much when Minola cooking oil will do the trick?
What you need:
- cotton balls or cotton pads
- a few drops of Minola coconut cooking oil
- your made up face.
I wear makeup and removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner is not easy. Whenever I try to remove it I often end up smearing it first (and looking like a raccoon) before I can get it right. Same goes with eye shadow. Blended eyes are pretty but because it means you placed several layers of makeup, it also means that there is more product to remove.
That is not a problem with Minola. And best of all, it is not expensive. 🙂
Minola is good for our body inside and out. So why think twice about it? I think every Filipino home should continue to have Minola Cooking oil close at hand.
For more information about Minola Premium Coconut Cooking Oil visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Minola-Cooking-Oil-148228115196855.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 2, 2017 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways, Travel
To stay on top of their game Grab has come up with some innovations to their services that patrons are sure to appreciate and enjoy.
Various payment options
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
- cash
- credit card
- debit card
- top-up credits
Top-up credits means you can reload your Grab account through online banking or via ATM.
Maybe someday they will also accept payments from GCash and Smartmoney 🙂
Live phone support
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Thankfully Grab now has Phone support. This means that we can call them if we have any issues we want addressed immediately instead of having to wait for an email. Hooray! Good work, Grab!
Grab rewards
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
The more trips you take the more points you make! Grab now rewards it’s riders with free trips when you reach a certain number of points.
Not only that but, in addition, Grab riders also get discounts and freebies from their partners such as:
- Agoda
- Althea
- Flexiroam
- Fraser Place
- KFC
- Mister Donut
- Mrs. Fields’s
- Tokyo Tokyo
- Travelbook
- Zalora
Personally, I am quite likely to use the food rewards first. 😀
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
Points are earned with every transaction you make with whatever Grab service you use.
For example, I booked Grabshare from my house to work and after the trip ended I received an alert that I now have an additional 38 rewards points. It’s that easy!
At the left are my rewards points. As you can see I still have a long way to go. To avail of even the P50 discount I need 600 points.
Grab offers its patrons an experience beyond the ride. Grab offers a lifestyle. Use my code to join Grab now: https://invite.grab.co/BFCC24
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 28, 2017 | Health and Wellness
I used to wear glasses when I was in high school and all the way until the early 2000s. Since then I have been lucky enough not to need them but lately, with the stress of grading papers and submissions by my students I noticed that my eyesight seems to be more blurry than I remembered. And so pretty soon I will find myself possibly on the hunt for a new pair of glasses, at the very least, reading glasses.
Oftentimes when we visit the eye doctor to get prescription glasses, we spend some time choosing the frame that suits our face shape and personal style. But do we also take time to choose the type of lens appropriate for our eye problem and lifestyle?
According to Dr. Emelita Roleda, general manager of Essilor Philippines, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, “wearing just any kind of glasses is not enough. It is important to choose the right lens to get the best protection”.
Dr. Roleda explains that there are two types of lenses: uncoated and multi-coated lenses. “Uncoated lenses are prone to damage and don’t provide protection against elements that threaten healthy vision. Using multi-coated lenses enhance the performance, quality and life of glasses. Invest on high quality lenses as it will really pays off in the long run, in terms of benefits to one’s eyesight.”
Meanwhile, multi-coated lenses are more advanced and tightly controlled due to computer processes. These lenses are evenly layered, can withstand high temperature and offer more improved performance.
Glasses fitted with Crizal® Prevencia’s multi-coated lenses filter out harmful blue-violet light from gadgets, LED TVs, LED lights, fluorescent lights
Essilor’s Crizal® Prevencia is a multi-coated lens made with smart technology that filters out harmful blue-violet and UV lights emitted by the sun, gadgets, LED TVs, LED lights and fluorescent lights. On top of preventing long-term vision damage, it allows good light that helps regulate sleep and mood, and boosts brain activity.
“Do consult your eye doctor because they can recommend the best lenses suitable to your needs and lifestyle,” Dr. Roleda adds.
Learn more about Crizal® Prevencia by visiting your preferred eye doctor or leading optical shop, or by logging on to www.essilor.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 27, 2017 | Bon Appetit
They say that everything’s better with bacon and I can’t help but agree. For today’s dinner, I decided to make cream-cheese filled bacon-wrapped chicken. Sadly, I cannot display photos of the dish itself because we were too hungry that as soon as it was cooked and placed on the table, everyone took a piece off the platter and … nibble, bite, chew, savor, swallow, yum! It was gone. 😀
For this post, I will use photos from the web but as soon as I am able to do this dish again I will make sure to take photos and post it.
Some things you need to know about chicken
photo courtesy of buzzfeed.com
There are two kinds of meat on a chicken – the dark meat and white meat. In a nutshell white meat is made up of the entire torso of the chicken while dark meat is the thighs, legs, and wings.
- White meat is meatier (there is more of it) and is often dry which is why it is what is usually used in making chicken salad, chicken sandwiches, etc.
- Dark meat is juicier (fatter) and softer so people who are counting calories tend not to get this. However, it is for that reason that dark meat tastes yummier!
What you need to know about bacon
photo credit to Kenny Alexander taken from http://6iee.com
It’s delicious. Nuff said. 😀
There are many brands selling bacon to be found in the supermarket but my favorites are Purefoods and it’s sister brand, Vida.
- Purefoods bacon comes in many variants – classic honey-cured, maple, thick slice, barbeque, and honey roast.
- Vida comes in only 1 variant … just bacon 😀
Kitchen tools I used
- teaspoon
- 2 chopping boards
- large plastic container
- mallet or a pestle (if you don’t have a mallet)
- toothpicks
Ingredients I used for this recipe
- chicken thigh fillet
- Vida bacon – you will understand in a bit why I chose to use this one, besides for its price. 🙂
- Hunt’s barbeque sauce – you can use any old barbeque sauce. This just happened to be the one we had available.
- Arla cream cheese, any variant – my go-to brands are usually Philadelphia cream cheese and Emborg but I saw this one and got curious because it is less expensive. FYI, it’s pretty good, too!.
- salt and pepper
Alternative ingredients
You can use Purefoods barbeque flavored thick cut bacon if you like to save on steps. 😀
Procedure: what I did to put this dish together
I usually like preparing early so that when it is almost time to eat all I need to do is pop the food in the oven, in the fryer, on the pan, or pot. Today was no different – I prepared 3 hours ahead. 😀
- Layout the bacon on a chopping board or large plastic container without overlapping and pour some barbeque sauce on it (not too much!) and smear. Some of the sauce will end up on the board or container, that’s ok. Flip the bacon and smear the other side as well and then just let it sit.
- Take your chicken thigh fillet, lay it out as flat as you can on a chopping board, and then pound it flat (using a mallet or pestle) until it is almost evenly about 1/2 inch thick. If it came out thinner than that, it’s ok, just make sure it is even. Some would recommend putting the chicken in a clear plastic bag or cling wrap first. This will help in preserving the juices and will avoid splashes.
- Layout all the chicken pieces you just pounded on your chopping board. Take some salt and sprinkle in on the chicken.
- Take your pepper and do the same amount of pepper to use really depends on your preference and the preference of the people who will eat it. But, if I may suggest, don’t be heavy-handed with the seasonings.
- Note: There is no need to rub the salt and pepper in, just let it sit.
- Flip the chicken pieces and repeat the salt and pepper.
- On another chopping board take one of the bacon strips that you marinated in barbeque sauce and lay it flat.
- Take one chicken thigh fillet and put it on top of the bacon starting from one end with the majority of the bacon uncovered by chicken.
- Place 1 tsp. of cream cheese and plop it down on top of the chicken and smear it on as flat as you can concentrating on the center part of the chicken. Once cooked the flavor of the cream cheese will infuse with the chicken and you won’t actually see it on the final product. 🙂
- Starting at the end where the chicken is starting rolling as tightly as you can without breaking the bacon and making the chicken tumble. Your goal is to have a rollup that has bacon inside and out and to make sure the cream cheese will not escape the chicken when you cook it.
- Once you reach the end, take a toothpick and poke it through to secure the roll then transfer your finished product into a container, possibly the one where the bacon is marinating.
- Repeat the procedure with the remaining pieces. Once done, cover the rolls and place them in the refrigerator to “set”. Actually, we are just allowing the flavors we added to everything to seep in. At a minimum, I’d say 30 minutes.
Cooking time!
How to cook it is up to you. You can pan-fry, deep-fry, air-fry, or bake. The cooking time will depend on how thick your chicken is. I opted to use the air fryer (in an attempt to be healthier, hehehe) so that I do not use up so much oil and to keep the cream cheese in the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Place a few pieces in the air fryer without crowding (about 4 to 5 pieces). Set the temperature to 180 degrees and cook for 20 minutes.
- Ding! Place your cream cheese-filled bacon-wrapped chicken on a platter and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
Serve alone or with a dipping sauce of your choice! One roll-up is pretty big and is good for 1 serving per person. For the growing boys and hungry adults, you may need 2 of these. 😀
Cooked properly the bacon will be warm and crispy and the chicken will be soft and juicy and infused with the flavor of the cream cheese. FYI, I got rave reviews about this from my family last night. 😀 Try making it yourself and let me know what you think.
If you like this recipe and will replicate it, take a pic and share it on Facebook or Instagram and don’t forget to tag me and use the hashtag #slvrdlphnrecipes
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 25, 2017 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
In the month of hearts share a ride with a stranger or share a ride with friends. Take Uber, Grab, or Angkas.
Can’t decide which ridesharing app to use? Let Google maps help you decide. Below are some promo codes to make our commute more affordable.
Uber promo codes
Waiting for promo codes from Uber is an exercise in frustration. But when they do it often leads to something fun. 🙂 In the meantime, I suppose we just need to be satisfied with their excellent service. 🙂
Promo code: LUNCHATUPTOWNBONIFACIO
Have lunch at Uptown Bonifacio and avail of this promo
- P50 discount
- valid for two (2) rides from 10am to 3pm going to and from Uptown Bonifacio at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
- valid from Monday to Friday only up to March 9, 2017
- valid in Metro Manila only
Google maps promo
Book at Uber ride via google maps
- P100 discount on two (2) Uber rides
- valid for Uberpool, Uber-X, and Uberblack rides
Grab promo codes
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, promo codes do repeat. And when they do the amount discounted is not always the same. Take advantage of these inviting discounts while they’re available.
Whether you need a private car or are willing to share your ride, Grab has promo codes guaranteed to perk you up.
Promo code: SHAREFRIDAY
- P70 discount
- valid for one (1) GRABSHARE ride only
- from 6am to 10am on March 31, 2017
Promo code: SHARE
- 50% discount up to P100
- valid for GRABSHARE rides only from March 27 to April 4, 2017
- valid for three (3) GRABSHARE rides only from March 21 to 27, 2017
- valid for three (3) GRABSHARE rides only from March 14 to 20, 2017
- valid for three (3) GRABSHARE rides only from March 1 to 5, 2017
- P50 discount
- valid for two (2) GRABSHARE rides only from February 24 to March 1, 2017
Promo code: GRABPAY
- 50% discount up to P150
- valid from March 27 to April 3, 2017
- P100 off
- valid for two (2) rides from March 25 to 26, 2017
- 100% discount up to P200
- valid for three (3) rides from March 13 to 19, 2017
- valide for three (3) rides from March 4 to 12, 2017
- use with GRABCAR, GRABCAR PREMIUM, and GRABCAR 6 SEATER rides in Metro Manila only
- valid for Grabpay credits, debit cards and credit cards
Sometimes I can’t help but think that their marketing team don’t think things through when they come out with promotional material for their campaigns. Take this for example.
Explain to us please, Grab, how we are supposed to #GRABALLWECAN if you put a cap of only 3 rides using the promo code. I, for one, on any given week could Grab as little as 1 to as much as 14 in a week! So how is 3 rides “all I can”?
It is a misleading ad and definitely does not display truth in advertising. So sad.
Promo code: GRABTRIKE
GRABTRICYCLE now moving in Mandaluyong! One Grabtricycle can accomodate up to 5 people.
- FREE RIDE from March 27 to April 5, 2017
- only valid at Mandaluyong in the following areas:
- Pioneer St. to William St.
- Sheridan to cor. William St.
- Reliance to cor. Pioneer St.
- Mayflower to United St.
- William
- Madison
- Pines
Promo code: SHAREMKT
- P50 discount
- use if pickup point is within Makati CBD
- valid for three (3) GRABSHARE rides only from March 27 to 31, 2017 from 10am to 4pm
Promo code: SHAREBGC
- P50 discount
- use if pickup point is within BGC CBD
- valid for three (3) GRABSHARE rides only from March 27 to 31, 2017 from 10am to 4pm
Promo code: GLOBEWANDERLAND
- P200 discount
- valid for GRABCAR and GRABSHARE rides going to and from the venue (Filinvest City Events Ground)
- code can be used for both cash and Grabpay payments
- valid from March 4, 2017 to 7am of March 5, 2017
Promo code: SMMANILASALE
- P50 discount
- valid for GRABCAR rides going to and from SM Manila only
- valid from March 3 to 5, 2017
Promo code: GRABSHARE
Win a meet and greet pass to Wanderland!
3 lucky passengers will get face to face time with Temper Trap, Lany and Yuna just by using the promo code GRABSHARE. The more you ride, the higher your chances of getting to meet your favorite Wanderers.
Tag your friends and enjoy the trip with Grab, the Official Ride Partner of Wanderland 2017. Grab away! Winners will be announced on March 1, 2017
- valid for GRABSHARE rides only
- valid from February 22 to March 1, 2017
- valid in Metro Manila only
Promo code: BOOKAGODA
Get a chance to win the holiday of your dreams with Grab and Agoda using this promo code everytime you ride a GrabTaxi or Grabcar.
- cannot be used in conjunction with other promo codes
- valid from February 1 to March 31, 2017 only
- no discount given to your ride
- each booking made using this code acts as an electronic raffle ticket
- only three (3) winners will be picked
For more information about this Grab+Agoda promotion visit the website at grb.to/phdreamholiday.
Angkas promo codes
Traveling alone and traveling light? Instead of a car perhaps you want to ride a bike instead. In that case ANGKAS is the ride for you.
Just like Grab, Angkas offers repeating promo codes. Perhaps because the two ridesharing services are actually related. 😀
I have tried using ANGKAS several times and more often than not I have found the ride safe and efficient. I think it was only once that I had apprehensions, and it was because the bike was small and there was no basket at the back where they usually store the helmet.
Promo code: TRAFFIC40
Take 1 non-promo ride and get a discount on your second ride within the same day
- P40 discount
- use between 3pm to 9pm
- valid from March 30 to 31, 2017 only
Promo code: AKTODAY
Take 1 non-promo ride and get a discount on your second ride within the same day
- P75 off on your second ride
- valid from March 30 to 31, 2017 only
Promo code: ANGKASMORE
- P50 discount
- use this promo code when you book a ride to and from Marikina and Cainta
- valid for two (2) rides from March 29 to April 12, 2017 only
Promo code: ANGKASNOW
- 50% discount up to P50
- valid from 10am to 3pm only
- valid from March 28 t0 31, 2017 only
- P30 discount
- valid from 10am to 3pm ONLY for six (6) rides from March 15 to 20, 2017
- P50 discount
- valid for two (2) rides on March 13, 2017 only
- valid for three (3) rides from February 28 to March 1, 2017 only
Promo code: BEATTRAFFIC
- 50% discount up to P100
- valid for two (2) rides from March 28 to 31, 2017 only
Promo code: ANGKASPA
- P50 discount
- Use this promo code when you book a ride to and from the following new service areas in Quezon City: travel to or from Katipunan, Quezon City Circle, Tomas Morato, New Manila, Balintawak, and Monumento
- Use this promo code when you book a ride to and from San Juan, Eastwood, Libis, Cubao, and Aurora Boulevard (LRT Katipunan to Gilmore Station)
- for Metro Manila users only
Special Promo:
Complete three (3) non-promo Angkas rides by March 16 (Thursday) and receive a new promo code on March 17 (Friday) for P50 discount on two (2) rides!
Promo code: ANGKASNOW
- P30 discount
- valid from 10am to 3pm ONLY for six (6) rides from March 15 to 20, 2017
- P50 discount
- valid for two (2) rides on March 13, 2017 only
- valid for three (3) rides from February 28 to March 1, 2017 only
Promo code: ANGKAS
- P100 discount
- valid for eight (8) rides only
- valid up to March 6 to 12, 2017
Promo code: ANGKAS50
- P50 discount
- valid for five (5) rides only
- valid up to March 6 to 12, 2017
Promo code: TRAFFIC
- P30 discount
- valid for three (3) rides only
- valid up to March 1 to 4, 2017
Promo code: BOOKANGKAS
- P150 discount
- valid NEW USERS only
Promo code: ANGKASNA
- P100 discount
- valid NEW USERS only
Minola has no strong smell or taste. It is a clear fluid. What I like best about it? It is a locally produced product and is derived from coconuts.
The coconut is one of the most robust and useful members of the plant kingdom and can be found in tropical and subtropical countries all over the world.
Hot oil treatments are the common organic/natural answer to hair and scalp care. As the weather turns from hot to cold and hot again our scalp starts to flake and our hair dries out and gets split ends. Regular treatments with Minola coconut oil is an inexpensive yet effective treatment.
Taking off make up is not easy, especially when removing eye makeup. Coconut oil is currently a trend in makeup removers. If you were to search online you will see expensive brands of coconut oil make up removers. But why spend so much when Minola cooking oil will do the trick?
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
Meanwhile, multi-coated lenses are more advanced and tightly controlled due to computer processes. These lenses are evenly layered, can withstand high temperature and offer more improved performance.
“Do consult your eye doctor because they can recommend the best lenses suitable to your needs and lifestyle,” Dr. Roleda adds.
Arla cream cheese, any variant – my go-to brands are usually Philadelphia cream cheese and Emborg but I saw this one and got curious because it is less expensive. FYI, it’s pretty good, too!.
Take your chicken thigh fillet, lay it out as flat as you can on a chopping board, and then pound it flat (using a mallet or pestle) until it is almost evenly about 1/2 inch thick. If it came out thinner than that, it’s ok, just make sure it is even. Some would recommend putting the chicken in a clear plastic bag or cling wrap first. This will help in preserving the juices and will avoid splashes.
Layout all the chicken pieces you just pounded on your chopping board. Take some salt and sprinkle in on the chicken.
In the month of hearts share a ride with a stranger or share a ride with friends. Take Uber, Grab, or Angkas.
Waiting for promo codes from Uber is an exercise in frustration. But when they do it often leads to something fun. 🙂 In the meantime, I suppose we just need to be satisfied with their excellent service. 🙂
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, promo codes do repeat. And when they do the amount discounted is not always the same. Take advantage of these inviting discounts while they’re available.
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