Saturday, October 26, 2019

Add color to your diet with Australian Navel Oranges + Facts

The main variety of orange is the Navel which is usually seedless, easy to peel, skin, very sweet juicy
flesh, and a small protrusion at one end that resembles a human navel (hence the name of this variety)


Australian Navel Oranges are available and in season from June to October each year. Hort Innovation’s Taste Australia campaign is bringing the highest quality Navel Oranges back from Australia’s southeast regions to the Philippines. It aims to cement existing trade relations and develop new partnerships between the two countries.

Only sourced from the highest quality crops, Australian oranges are at their prime and Taste Australia encourages consumers to make the most of the peak season and indulge in this colorful, sweet, juicy and nutritious fruit.

And just in time for Trick or Treat, we received a small box of Australian Navel Oranges. I added it on top of the candies the kids got from the Halloween party!



Health benefits


Australian oranges are famous for its high Vitamin C content and natural flu-fighting properties. They are also high in antioxidants, fibre, folate and potassium. Australian oranges have numerous health and nutritional benefits including:

● Nutrient density which is great for weight control
● Good source of folate which is perfect for pregnant women (may help prevent spina bifida) and the rest of the family (helps the immune system and heart)
● Great for blood pressure control with high potassium and low salt
● Rich in antioxidants which helps keep you fit and healthy throughout the year.

Application and recipes

Australian oranges are incredibly versatile, making them the perfect anytime snack or addition to sweet or savory dishes. Oranges are a great alternative to a quick fix sugary drink or a chocolate bar as they contain carbohydrates and B vitamins.

Must-try recipes can be found at http://www.oranges.com.au/recipes.

Selection and storage at home


1. Make sure to select fruit that has bright orange skin, is firm, and feels heavy for its size (avoid
dry, wrinkled or softer looking orangesas they do not ripen further after harvest.).

2. Oranges can be stored for up to two weeks at room temperature, and longer when refrigerated.

● Store oranges unwashed as moisture on the skin can lead to mould.
● Either peel or wash oranges in cool water before slicing. If cutting, use a clean cutting board to prevent cross-contamination.
● Do not freeze oranges or store them below 3°C.

You still have time to try this delectable fruit at in-store and sampling sessions taking place at participating retailers such as Rustan’s, Shopwise, Wellcome, S&R, Robinson’s, SM and other major supermarkets. Consumers can also find participating retailers, view trending recipes, learn helpful tips and tricks, or be involved in the latest conversations by following Taste Australia - Philippines on @TasteAustraliaPhilippines on Facebook and @TasteAustraliaPH on Instagram.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Henry and Sons introduces transparency platform for coffee

In the recently concluded World Food Expo Manila, Henry and Sons President and CEO Michael Harris Conlin launched croptomarket.com—a digital transparency platform that displays a detailed information of coffee from the farmers to the retail market.


During his presentation in the forum “A Taste of the Cordillera” recently, Conlin explains how customers can access the transparency report on every can of coffee purchased from Henry and Sons. By scanning the QR code on the can, the website will appear on the screen that shows information about the farmer where the coffee cherries were purchased, and the process of roasting and manufacturing of the coffee beans until it reaches its target consumers. It also reveals the breakdown of cost of the product—from crop to market.


In partnership with the Saddle Hartwell Lumbag Coffee Growers Association through the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence, Henry and Sons also introduced the Nano Lots coffee series featuring the backyard farmers from Itogon, Benguet namely Lolita, Cayamdas, Hilda, and Rita. These coffee cans are the pioneer products to utilize the platform.

The Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence is the advocacy arm of Henry and Sons geared to address the major issues in the coffee farming industry. Its connection to the farmers began when the foundation provided an aid to the residents of Itogon, Benguet after typhoon Ompong struck the town in 2018. Mining, which used to be the community’s main source of livelihood, greatly contributed to the landslide that left the town devastated. Learning this, the foundation started to work with the farmers to help their town transform into a fully sustainable coffee growing community.

Conlin, who is also a social entrepreneur, aims to demonstrate transparency, accountability and trust throughout the agricultural value chain and to positively impact the Philippine agricultural sector through the new platform. “Now, the consumers can truly see how their hard-earned money helps the entire value chain,” Conlin states.

The featured coffees will be available at Rustan’s Department Store, The Giving CafĂ©, and at Henry and Sons’ e-commerce website TheVault.ph.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

A Whole Effort for the Whole Child: How REX is leading the Whole Child Initiative in the Philippines

Ensuring a young learner’s future success is not defined solely by where and who they grew up with. A child’s upbringing is not defined by their circumstances, but by the conscious choices that those who support them make. What does it take to foster a learning environment that supports young learners? It takes action, and a deep sense of responsibility rooted in community support.



In the Philippines, education is considered as a cornerstone of helping the national economy thrive in a fast-paced world thatdemands new perspectives to answer the challenges and recognize the opportunities that today's realities serve. We live in spaces with so many diverse aspects that each contribute to how we look at ourselves and decide what to do in life, with the world out there. This is why it is important to build our capacities from multiple perspectives: to shape our intellectual, social, physical, emotional, artistic, and creative potentials. What does this mean for our young learners?

Shaped by the rapid advances in global industry and technology, young learners today have more privilege in terms of access to vast troves of information, all available at the touch of a button or the tap of a screen. However, digital connectedness and well-being are not really adequate measures of whether a child is learning and is steadily becoming independent, able to expand their own imagination, and always hungry to learn by both doing and taking apart what they already learned to make something new. 

The 21st century is an age of connectedness and speed, a time when technology and industry are seamlessly bound to make the world a better place, and transform how we live. With this in mind, what we need is a whole new approach to the ways with which we go about with education, how we prepare them for success in life.

The Whole Child Initiative is a philosophy centered on holistic practices and methods that develops and prepares students by attending to a learner’s multifaceted needs: not just the academic aspect, but also, and more importantly, a learner’s psycho-social and emotional development. By considering the learner as an individual within a community, the Whole Child Initiative creates a bond between teachers, schools, parents, and the entire community, fostering awareness and openness to help shape and sustain learning environments into safe spaces for growth, learning, and the fulfillment of every child’s potential for success. 

Through its critical thinking and inquiry-based methodology, the Whole Child Initiative aims to provide a well-rounded education, geared especially toward young learners. It is through this core concept of a well-rounded education that the Whole Child Initiative strives to help young learners become successful in later life without unnecessarily straining or pressuring them to merely excel in academics, given how academic excellence in itself is not an adequate measure of a happy and fulfilling life.

As a holistic approach, the Whole Child Initiative is guided by human values that have a universal resonance: compassion and peace. The campaign for the Whole Child commits itself to uplift all learners and help transform how we experience education into something that they could cherish and look back with gratitude, one that they will keep and treasure for a lifetime.

For over 69 years, REX has continuously evolved as the leading learning solutions provider in the Philippines. REX envisions a bright future for every Filipino learner, a future where they may reach for their dreams and become whole and joyful persons ready to contribute to society, committed to helping build the nation forward.

At REX, everything is done to nurture and serve, for the child (“Para sa Bata”). From publishing superior learning materials, to providing ISO-certified printing services, to holding relevant professional development seminars for educators and school administrators, all these works are part of the vision of the Whole Child: a child who’s safe, healthy, challenged, supported, and engaged.

REX is the premiere Philippine partner of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the main international organization campaigning for the Whole Child Approach. The REX and ASCD’s partnership has helped introduce and widen the acceptance of holistic learning strategies for next-gen education in the Philippines, all aligned with the country’s current transition to fully implementing K-12 education policies, as well as the new General Education Curriculum (GEC).

To learn more about REX's leading efforts towards creating sustainable learning environments for the Whole Child, read about their work here: http://www.rexpublishing.com.ph/whole-child-initiative/

Thursday, August 22, 2019

What's New with Brownies Unlimited?


Jaear and I may be the opposite in so many things, but we have one thing in common, we both love sweets! That's why when I got invited to the Brownies Unlimited event last August 10, I did not hesitate!

Did you know that Brownies Unlimited first opened as a corner counter in SM Makati in 1988 Yes! They've been selling delectable brownies for more than 30 years now while keeping the quality of the ingredients and processes, and keeping the prices affordable!


Growing up in the province, I first got introduced to Brownies Unlimited around the year 2009 when I was already in college and can travel by own to Baguio City. I've always loved their brownies, sylvanas and their munchies! And since I moved to Manila where I have easy access to the malls, Brownies Unlimited has been one of our choices for pasalubong. 

So what's new with Brownies Unlimited? 


Brownies Unlimited continues to grow with more branches and has opened its doors to franchising. And, last August 10, they opened their first flagship store located at the 2nd floor of SM Makati. I spent my Saturday morning literally in sweet paradise! 


I together with fellow mommy bloggers got to peek on their new products! There's Brownie Pizza that comes in S’mores and Cosmic flavors. Surprisingly, Brownies Unlimited has its own ice cream, the Scoopery which is made with real and natural ingredients! I literally just found out about it during the event. They have delightful flavors such as the tasty Toasted Marshmallow, delectable ice cream with toasted marshmallows on top, and the Molten Brownie, a freshly baked brownie topped with your favorite ice cream. 



I even got the chance to make my own brownie pizza during the event! I regret not bringing the kids with us, so we just took home some pasalubong for them and they loved it!


Finally, here's another thing to look forward to with Brownies Unlimited. They can make any event super special with their Dessert Table! They even offer a "Make Your Own Brownie Pizza station". 


For Athena's 6th birthday last year, we bought Brownies Unlimited cupcakes which we were supposed to give to her classmates but she got sick so we just organized a small party at home.

Planning for a party?  Here's a list of their Dessert Table Packages:


I really had a great time at the event. And I made a short about the event which I also posted on Facebook and Instagram:


What are you waiting for? Let’s all grab a bite and make our cheat days worth it. Tag everyone
along and make sure not to miss out on this brownie lovers’ paradise!

For more exciting promos and updates, follow @BrowniesUnlimited on Facebook and Instagram.


Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Comfort and Quality Sleep With Mr. Big Pillows

I used to think that buying a pillow only depends on the texture and what it is made of until I learned about Mr. Big. Pillow

Mr. Big Pillow is a brand of pillows, toppers, and mattresses. Its founder - Mr. Chawakit Kaoien is a physical therapist thus, he designed ergonomic pillows, toppers, and mattresses that work in harmony with our body.

Last month, at the SM Home Fair, I learned that there is a perfect pillow for everyone and in choosing that perfect pillow we need to consider our body structure, height, weight, health condition, and sleep style. Because apparently, using the wrong pillow has its consequences.  


I am hugging a Body Scale 2 pillow here.

Mr. Big has Body Scale Pillows which may look like the normal rectangular pillow but they are not.

There are 5 body scale pillows for different body types. This kind of pillow fits well to the shape of the head and neck and firm enough for your head’s weight and shoulders width.

I am a combination of a back and side sleeper so the perfect body scale pillow for me is the Body Scale No. 2. 

The price of the Body Scale Pillow starts at Php 2,499.

An Orthocurve pillow,  a 20 x 50-inch body pillow where I can rest my arms, leg, torso, or hip on it to get support and feel more comfortable when I'm on my side and is also ideal for me.

Though I am a combination of back and side sleeper, I feel like I am more of a side sleeper. I also have scoliosis and according to them, I should sleep more on the side which doesn't have the curve. 

That's why Mr. Big's Posture Care Products also suit me! 

These are full-support Positioning Pillows that provide support right where you need. It supports you from head to leg, wraps you with correct spine alignment. It suits side sleepers like me who often lack support.


Nine Pillow


Jay Pillow 

I really like the Nine Pillow but as it turns out, the Jay Pillow is more suitable for me. It supports as much as Nine Pillow, only I'll get even more snuggle fit with Jay because I am less than 165 cm tall.

The price of both pillows is around Php 6,000 each. I need to save up for this!




Aside from the ergonomic comfort that Mr. Big Pillow provides, another thing that I love about it is that it is made with Elasta fiber. It is soft, hypoallergenic, washable and it doesn't clump, unlike other pillows we've tried. It is Brianna's new favorite pillow, look at that smile!

As I said before, sleep is a necessity, but with the many demands in this fast paced world, 24 hours seem not enough to do what we have to do. Thus, sleeping becomes a luxury. But even with a short amount of sleep, it is still possible to get a quality one if we choose the right pillow according to our body's need. You may think that Mr. Big is expensive but it is worth it. 

The rule of thumb is to replace your pillow every 1 to 2 years but with Mr. Big Pillow, you can actually use it longer than that. Here's a tip on how to keep your pillow last longer, throw in some pillow protector the next time you go shopping. Thank me later!

Want to know the right type of pillow for you? Visit this page to find  out!