by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 16, 2020 | Food & Beverage
Growing up I was tall and slim and had a very fast metabolism. I could eat anything I wanted, so I did. Fast food, junk food, home-cooked meals, restaurant food, pastries, bread, pasta, rice, meat, chicken, fish, etc. I ate it all! But as I grew older my metabolism slowed down and I find it isn’t as easy to burn off all the calories I consume so I have to start eating smart. After all, it isn’t about the quantity of food I eat but about the quality.
The meat reduction cycle
It started in my 20s, I would go through this eating cycle:
- week 1 – no beef
- week 2 – no beef and pork
- week 3 – no beef, pork, and chicken
- week 4 – no beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, just veggies
- week 5 – I eat whatever I like
That’s for one whole week each time, no cheat days. I guess I give myself a cheat week, lol! Then the cycle starts over again. The cheat week is not a binge-fest so it isn’t so sinful as all that
Today, the only meats I eat with any consistency are chicken and fish (fresh or canned). I don’t really follow the cycle anymore because of it but occasionally, I get to enjoy pork (like in adobo or bacon) and shrimp and some cold cuts like pastrami and pepperoni (which I looooove!) but they are few and far between.
Healthy food choices
Let’s take a look at an all-time favorite sandwich, the burger. It looks innocent enough but that much meat (even with all the veggies on top of it in the sandwich) cannot be good for our health.
But burgers are delicious, right? And so easy to prepare. Are there healthier alternatives?
A logical direction to go is to replace the burger meat (which is usually beef) with chicken or fish. but what if there was a better alternative? In my personal opinion, here is an easy peasy way to introduce a plant-based diet to our carnivorous family and friends.
For the affordable price of 135 pesos, you get TWO UnMeat burger patties. That is a REALLY GOOD PRICE.
If you want to decide for yourself which kind of burger is better then hop on over to Shakey’s and order the Goood Burger and the Baaad Burger. 🙂 Go there with a friend and share the love. 🙂
The Goood Burger and the Baaad Burger from Shakeys
When I discovered that Century Pacific Food / Swift launched this plant-based product Shopee and Lazada a few days ago at the introductory price of 50 pesos, I jumped at it and ordered 8 packs. Now I think I should have bought more, lol!
I already love Century Pacific Food for bringing Century Tuna into my life and now this! I am so overwhelmed and amazed and happy!
What I like about the UnMeat Burger is that it looks and tastes like a regular burger but it is not composed of meat! And best of all, it is affordable.
The downside of deciding to go vegan
Frankly, going vegan is expensive. I just bought some stuff for a friend last weekend: Beyond Meat sausages for 699 pesos, and that is just 4 sausages in the pack. I also bought Daiya dairy-free cheddar cheese (200 grams) for 329 pesos. Vegetables are also expensive. This means that I need to get creative when I cook dinner for the family … like when I cooked spicy eggplant and tofu last week. 🙂
spicy eggplant and tofu
Is a vegetarian/vegan diet the only answer?!?
Ok, before you get all up in my face, I am not saying that a plant-based diet is the only answer to good health. After all, it isn’t for everyone. I know people who will probably not live as long if they are deprived of meat. Personally, though, I have found that I feel livelier and stronger with less meat in my diet … but that’s just me. I haven’t removed the meat from my diet, I just reduced it.
I got this infographic from forksoverknives.com to show the difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based diet.
Based on the infographic I am NONE OF THE ABOVE, hahaha. Ok, honestly, the way I eat is possibly closest to the plant-based diet but I would say, very loosely because I really like to eat. 😀
I therefore conclude …
That what you choose to eat is totally up to you but, as much as you can without being sad, try to make healthier choices.
Currently, the UnMeat burger is only available at Lazada and Shopee while supply lasts! I am really hoping they bring this to the regular supermarkets soon.
** This post is not a solicited post. I just really like the UnMeat burger. 🙂
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 15, 2020 | Food & Beverage
Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.
Glazed Christmas Ham.
A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.
Crispy Lechon Roll.
lechon belly roll photo credit to knorr.com/ph
Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.
Extra Meaty Spaghetti.
meaty longganisa spaghetti photo credit to knorr.com/ph
No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!
Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake.
After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist — queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.
If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 22, 2019 | Food & Beverage, Yummy Reviews
There are many types of bread in the market but none so special as Hearty Bread which is healthy, yummy, and easy on the budget. This post contains materials provided by Hearty Bread plus my (and my family’s) review of their products.
A special type of diet usually arises from a health condition or a call for a healthier lifestyle. Having to adapt to a new diet is hard enough especially if this is accompanied by medicines in the case of those who have diabetes, cancer, renal failure, and other diseases that call for a Low-Carbohydrate/ Sugar-Free diet.
Why go gluten-free?
Diabetic Cases
diabetes calling image credit to https://www.ormc.org/
The Philippines is considered one of diabetes “hot spots” in the Western Pacific region. It is estimated that 1 out of 5 Filipinos are diabetic. This statistic is very alarming and calls for the attention of the general public. Several cause-oriented groups have already started campaigns to spread awareness in the hope to help hinder the growth.
It was noted that the unhealthy lifestyle habits of Filipinos are the main cause of diabetes. This was also tackled by World Health Organization and they also included sedentary lifestyles as major lifestyle risk factors, stating that 1 in 3 is overweight and 1 in 10 is obese.
Obesity
Obesity cases are another red flag in the country. Those who consume an excess of sugar and carbohydrates lead to accumulating that excess weight over time.
Per record, the Philippines has an estimated a staggering 18 million citizens who are either obese or overweight.
Cancer Cells feed on Sugar
To clarify, consuming sugar does not cause cancer. Studies have been conducted which prove that sugar essentially feeds tumors and encourages cancer growth. Hence, starving these cells from sugar may help cancer patients.
Given these health conditions, a group of young entrepreneurs has decided to develop bread alternatives for those whose dietary requirements need special attention. Evan Dykimching and Vicson Ngo are the people behind Hearty Bread, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free.
How did Hearty Bread begin?
The company started out as a supplier for some of the major hospitals in the Metro. They cater to doctors and in-house patients with cancer or diabetes.
Evan Dykimching
Evan recounts “When one of our family members got confined in the hospital, we were surprised that the price of our bread was quite high due to several administrative fees”.
With the company’s desire to promote affordable and quality health, they created the brand “Hearty Bread” to make healthy bread readily available and affordable to the general public.
To give you an idea, if you are not familiar with the price of the Gluten-Free/Sugar-Free market, other producers are selling at P500 to P600 per loaf. For most people, this price tag is very expensive.
Hearty Bread Almond Loaf Line
Hearty Bread invested in research & development for two years in order to come up with bread that is double the size and sells at half the price. Hearty Bread’s Almond Loaf line retails at only P180 for the plain Almond Loaf while their Cheesy variants – Cheesy Charcoal and Cheesy Coffee are pegged at P250 per loaf.
Hearty Bread Sourdough/Probiotic Line
They also have other products such as their Sourdough/Probiotic line which includes Malunggay Sourdough Pandesal which sells at P40 for 6 pieces, while their other Sourdough loaf sells at P115. Hearty Bread’s Fruit loaves are also in demand, Banana Sourdough Loaf retails at P200, Banoffee Walnut Sourdough Loaf and Pumpkin Carrot Sourdough Loaf sells at P280 per loaf. These are all Gluten-Free/Sugar-free!
A lot of other products are in the pipeline and are being developed which gives those who are into these types of diets something to look forward to.
Pricelist
Here is the price list to guide you. A quick glance will already show you how much more affordable Hearty Bread is than other gluten-free/sugar-free brands. Also, so many choices! This just makes the journey to good health more fun!
The Review
I cook and I bake so I can appreciate the research that went into making these breads. FYI, sourdough is a much healthier alternative to white bread and is better for digestion, too!
Banana Sourdough Loaf
If you like banana bread then this banana sourdough loaf will be something you would enjoy. Instead of lacatan they used saba which has a smoother consistency and comes out sweeter when ripened (aged) correctly. I would have preferred this loaf with walnuts and probably not as sweet. I am assuming that they used artificial sweeteners like Splenda. I prefer the taste of honey.
Banoffee Walnut Sourdough Loaf
The banoffee walnut sourdough loaf is very similar in taste to the banana sourdough loaf except with the addition of two very important ingredients … coffee and walnuts.
I personally preferred this one but having said that I still found it too sweet. My mom, sisters, and the kids really enjoyed it, though.
Cheesy Charcoal Almond Loaf
I confess, for us, this bread was a turn-off but we gave it a shot … several times in fact! We figured, if Hearty Bread would go to the effort of making this bread there has to be something good about it, right?
Well, like my sister, Ginny said … it is like eating Diatabs if Diatabs were baked into bread. My nephews, niece, and daughter said they couldn’t get passed that grainy charcoal taste. My mom saw it and didn’t even try.
I tried it myself and I really, really gave it a chance but, sadly, even with the addition of cheese and almonds, this loaf of bread did not wow me, not even a little bit. But I understand why they did this. Activated charcoal is known as a good ingredient for improving elimination (aka bowel movement) and addressing flatulence. What I would recommend, perhaps, is not to make it so pure. Probably, half charcoal then half premium sourdough then mix it so it bakes into a marbled loaf. It would still have the activated charcoal but not overwhelmingly so.
Ezekiel Almond Loaf
This was easy to eat but we couldn’t find the almond taste … or the almonds. It tastes just like regular bread so the kids could not even taste the difference. Eating it as a sandwich certainly makes it look “normal”.
The taste was also quite mild so this was not difficult for my mom to try. To her, it was just bread, which is a good thing.
Moringa Premium Sourdough Pandesal
For a few years now there has been a campaign to promote malunggay pandesal as an alternative to regular pandesal and, at the beginning people have looked at it with suspicion. Some have tried, and some have continued with what they are used to.
We ourselves have shifted to malunggay pandesal so we had a basis of comparison.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal is BIG, it is just a little bit smaller than my hand.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal has just the right level of sweetness.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal does not have that grainy texture we have come to expect from healthy bread
Multigrain Sourdough Loaf
This was my personal favorite, but then again, I have been known to buy multigrain bread on occasion. At home, I am the only one who really eats multigrain. My parents found it too nutty but I love it!
I would like to request more pumpkin and sunflower seeds, please. 😀
Premium Sourdough Loaf
Of all the bread my family and I got to try this was probably the easiest to try as they couldn’t tell the difference between this and the bread they like to buy in the grocery.
So for someone who is transitioning into a gluten-free/sugar-free diet then this bread is a good way to start.
Hearty Bread outlets
Hearty Bread can be purchased at the following outlets. Find the one closest to you and enjoy!
For more information, you can check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts or visit their website.
Evan also shares the secret to making their bread available at a very low price – “We can really lower the cost of our products since we produce them commercially in volume quantities. We also own the lot where our facilities operate so we don’t pay rent.” He further explains “We make our bread affordable not to kill the market price but to make these healthy bread affordable and help those who are burdened, to begin with.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 12, 2019 | Food & Beverage
We all know that mangoes are incredibly versatile as desserts. Its naturally sweet flavor makes for a perfect topping, added tidbits, and it’s even good eaten on its own. But if you think you’ve seen all the possibilities this delicious fruit has to offer, local soft serve and mango connoisseur Go Mango begs to differ.
As the summer comes to a close, the coming days are about to get cooler with their new products: introducing, the Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba, Mango Cheesecake, and Mango Chocnut Cream.
Mango milk with brown sugar boba
The Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba is their unique take on the milk tea craze, and quite possibly, your new favorite drink!
Think fresh, sweet, and irresistibly lip-smacking mangoes served with a thick froth of full cream milk, deliciously complemented by warm boba soaked in muscovado sugar to bring out its natural, toasted sugar flavor that we simply can’t get enough. Give it a little shake and all of the flavors and elements mix together in one delicious, refreshing cup. Trust us, it’s definitely a must-try!
Mango cheesecake
For dessert lovers, the Mango Cheesecake is heavenly. Go Mango’s signature soft-serve ice cream is topped with heaps of grated cheese and fresh mangoes, served in between oven-baked cheesecake crust with cream, making it two mouth-watering desserts in one decadent cup.
Mango chocnut cream
Last but definitely not least, the Mango Chocnut Cream is an ode to our childhood favorite. This delightful treat is made up of layers of fresh mango slices, soft-serve ice cream, and of course, the nutty goodness of Chocnut.
And because Go Mango is all about that premium dessert experience, they also have sundaes, shakes, and mango milk beverages. Among the best-sellers are the Mango Graham Sundae and the Mango Yakult Shake. They have more delicious offerings launching soon, so stay tuned!
Go Mango will also be opening two new branches in SM Manila this June and Century City Mall in July. For more details on the menu and branches, visit www.facebook.com/gomangoph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 24, 2019 | Food & Beverage
Chocoholics have more reasons to indulge. Villa Del Conte has launched a new set of mouthwatering dark chocolate flavors. The best selling chocolate Pralines are now available in White Cream Cheese Cake flavor with Amaretto Grains filling.
Get the praline ball covered in thick dark chocolate and soft cream cheese made from the highest quality of milk and cheese or the luscious combo of chewy amaretto grains. There are also two new Dragees flavors: Extra Dark Chocolate covered Pearls Bretzel, which perfectly blends sweet and salty to liven up the senses, and Extra Dark Chocolate covered roasted coffee bean that is not only aromatically pleasing but also deliciously addictive!
These new decadent treats are available at all Villa Del Conte stores in Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall, and Robinsons Magnolia. For bulk orders and to know more about Villa Del Conte’s indulgent creations, contact 893-2575, visit www.villadelcontecioccolato.com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @VillaDelContePh and on Twitter: @villadelconte.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 10, 2019 | Food & Beverage
Isla Sugbu Seafood City, operated and managed by Kuya J Group, recently opened its first Manila branch at Venice Grand Canal in Taguig City. Named the best seafood restaurant in Cebu, Manila diners can now experience Seafood City’s unique offering of Paluto All-You-Can.
It allows diners to choose from the restaurant’s wide array of fresh and live seafood, have it cooked to their liking, and repeat the whole process until they are satisfied. Best of all, as part of its opening, the regular Paluto All-You-Can price of P1,300 per head will be offered to customers at a promo rate of P848 for lunch on weekdays (Mondays to Thursdays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm) and P888 for dinner (Mondays to Thursdays, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm) and all day weekends (Fridays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm).
The opening promo runs until February 28, 2019. Present during the opening were: (from left) Kuya J Group president Winglip Chang, iCorner general manager Don Tirol, and Gretz Rivera of Unido Holdings Inc.
Let’s take a look at an all-time favorite sandwich, the burger. It looks innocent enough but that much meat (even with all the veggies on top of it in the sandwich) cannot be good for our health.
When I discovered that Century Pacific Food / Swift launched this plant-based product Shopee and Lazada a few days ago at the introductory price of 50 pesos, I jumped at it and ordered 8 packs. Now I think I should have bought more, lol!
Obesity cases are another red flag in the country. Those who consume an excess of sugar and carbohydrates lead to accumulating that excess weight over time.
If you like banana bread then this banana sourdough loaf will be something you would enjoy. Instead of lacatan they used saba which has a smoother consistency and comes out sweeter when ripened (aged) correctly. I would have preferred this loaf with walnuts and probably not as sweet. I am assuming that they used artificial sweeteners like Splenda. I prefer the taste of honey.
The banoffee walnut sourdough loaf is very similar in taste to the banana sourdough loaf except with the addition of two very important ingredients … coffee and walnuts.
I confess, for us, this bread was a turn-off but we gave it a shot … several times in fact! We figured, if Hearty Bread would go to the effort of making this bread there has to be something good about it, right?
This was easy to eat but we couldn’t find the almond taste … or the almonds. It tastes just like regular bread so the kids could not even taste the difference. Eating it as a sandwich certainly makes it look “normal”.
For a few years now there has been a campaign to promote malunggay pandesal as an alternative to regular pandesal and, at the beginning people have looked at it with suspicion. Some have tried, and some have continued with what they are used to.
This was my personal favorite, but then again, I have been known to buy multigrain bread on occasion. At home, I am the only one who really eats multigrain. My parents found it too nutty but I love it!
Of all the bread my family and I got to try this was probably the easiest to try as they couldn’t tell the difference between this and the bread they like to buy in the grocery.
The Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba is their unique take on the milk tea craze, and quite possibly, your new favorite drink!
For dessert lovers, the Mango Cheesecake is heavenly. Go Mango’s signature soft-serve ice cream is topped with heaps of grated cheese and fresh mangoes, served in between oven-baked cheesecake crust with cream, making it two mouth-watering desserts in one decadent cup.
Last but definitely not least, the Mango Chocnut Cream is an ode to our childhood favorite. This delightful treat is made up of layers of fresh mango slices, soft-serve ice cream, and of course, the nutty goodness of Chocnut.
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