How Can You Benefit From Installing An Outdoor Kitchen In Your Home

     Summer is still here, and that means cookouts, barbecues, and outdoor parties! If you're looking for a way to make your outdoor gatherings even more fun, consider installing an outdoor kitchen in your home. Outdoor kitchens can provide many benefits for homeowners. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important benefits of having an outdoor kitchen. We'll also provide tips on how to choose the best outdoor kitchen for your needs. So read on to learn more!

How Can You Benefit From Installing An Outdoor Kitchen In Your Home
image from unsplash.com

Kitchen Essentials: Top 5 Items That Should Be In Everyone's Kitchen

     Regardless of the type of home that a person lives in. Whether it is the smallest or the largest, everyone will most likely agree that the kitchen is one of the most important places in every home. No matter how you want your kitchen to look, there are a lot of ways to visualize this efficient room in your home.

     When talking about your kitchen, having equipment and tools that are ready to use in action, these things are essential in maintaining the orderliness and cleanliness of the area. This article will cite a few of the most basic stuff that most people think should be found in every home's kitchen.

 Kitchen Essentials: Top 5 Items That Should Be In Everyone's Kitchen
image from https://pixabay.com/photos/kitchen-decoration-kitchen-equipment-728721/

Why Worry? Be the Best Mom with Plan B

     My mission in life is to be the best mom for my son and my life as a stay-at-home mom is not perfect but it's one of the best things that ever happened to me. As a full-time mom, my day begins before sunrise and ends past midnight. I'm in charge of the house chores like cleaning the house, doing the laundry, washing the dishes, and to look after my one and only son. I can literally say that my hands are full when it comes to family matters because from sun up to sun down, I need to have the energy to survive more than 10 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    I'm grateful for the challenges and worries that I've encountered the past years because it taught me to be stronger and optimistic than ever. I'm a self-confessed clean freak and my family's health is important to me. I always worry about three things: the nutrition that my son gets from the food that we eat, the germs that will make him sick, and the quality time that we are going to share every day as he grows older. Sharing with you my realizations this 2019 and the things that I do to have a worry-free life and be the best mom for Kenzo below.

Why Worry? Be the Best Mom with Plan B

Go Double, Go Smart with Goya Double Hazelnut Spread + Recipe

     Making smart choices is a life skill that one must develop in order to set long-term goals. As a stay at home mom, being smart in all aspects of living makes life easy and sustainable. I don't need to be perfect, I just need to make smart decisions when it comes to important aspects of my mommy life: my family's health, proper education of my son, a healthy relationship inside our home, and the growth of each family member as a whole.

     Speaking of family's health, I always make sure to incorporate smart choices in the grocery stuff we buy and the food that we eat. I've mastered three simple hacks in grocery shopping that I'll be sharing after the jump. I also discovered a product that fits in one of the categories- Goya Hazelnut Double Spread.  

Go Double, Go Smart with Goya Double Hazelnut Spread + Recipe
image from pexels.com

5 Easy Ways to Keep You and Your House Germ-Free this Holiday Season

     The most wonderful time of the year, but little would you know that germs are celebrating in every corner of our homes. Since gatherings, parties, and celebrations are happening here and there, germs can also be found in Christmas decors, kitchen sink, bathroom, and laundry area. But fret not because there are simple ways that you just need to follow to survive the merry yet craziest season of the year.

     Everyone in our family knows that I'm a clean freak. I make sure that everything's clean and in order every day- holiday or not. I'm the master when it comes to "everything clean" in our house that's why the tips that I'll be sharing are the things that I always do to keep our house free from germs throughout the year.

5 Easy Ways to Keep You and Your House Germ-Free this Holiday Season

Product Review: MEYER Purple 2 Piece Set Cookware

     I presume that you already know that I don't cook. If you're following me on Instagram, there's a hashtag #kathinthekitchen but it's really the hubby who is cooking in the kitchen. My husband is the king of our kitchen and I'm proud of that but when it comes to buying kitchen essentials, I'm the queen :) I'm the one who decides what to buy especially with cookware.

     Months ago, we decided to renovate our kitchen to the theme that we really like. New kitchen means new kitchen essentials. First up, cookware. It's hard to decide what brand to buy because there's literally a lot but when it comes to trusted brands, there's only a handful and one of them is MEYER. Look like the heavens have heard what I needed and MEYER Cookware Philippines sent the MEYER Purple 2 Piece Set Cookware for us to try. Sharing my thoughts on this cookware set after the jump.

Product Review: MEYER Purple 2 Piece Set Cookware

Sanicare Hygiene Care Circle + First Brand Ambassador Launch

     When it comes to hygiene care, our default brand of tissues and wet wipes at home is Sanicare. It's a household brand for many Filipinos for years now. We are using their kitchen towels, handy pack tissues, wet wipes, and cotton balls to name a few.

     Last July 25, Sanicare Care Products Asia, Inc. invited mommy bloggers to witness the launch of their first brand ambassador and the unveiling of new products for the baby lines. The event also showcased three millennial moms who talked about cleanliness and hygiene for the family. More details about Sanicare Hygiene Care Circle event below.

Sanicare Hygiene Circle + First Brand Ambassador Launch

Feature: Grande Rice Bran Oil

     Healthy eating habits start in the kitchen that's why choosing the right ingredient is beneficial in achieving overall wellness. My husband cooks our food. He knows that a healthy meal is made of fresh and natural ingredients. As much as possible, he buys fresh meat and vegetables in the supermarket and uses cooking oil that's low in cholesterol.

     Speaking of cooking oil, we use palm and corn oil alternately. My mother-in-law supplies us with corn oil that she buys in Saudi Arabia. If our stocks run out, then palm oil is what we use in frying our food. Aside from these, there are also other cooking oils that have healthier benefits like extra virgin olive, coconut, and vegetable oil but the latter two are chemically processed. There's a new player in town- Rice Bran Oil. Know more about RBO and the brand Grande that's already available in leading supermarkets nationwide after the jump :)

Feature: Grande Rice Bran Oil 

Carl Schmidt Sohn Kitchen and Cookware

     I consider kitchen and cookware products a lifetime investment since we cook our food every day. My husband loves to cook and I'm proud to say that he is the type who will invest in quality kitchen wares because of the wear and tear in the long run.

     Tired of buying kitchen knives and cookware that does not last long? If you think you are saving money by buying inexpensive but low-grade kitchen tools then think again. Low-priced alternatives will cost you more as these need to be replaced after only being used for a little time. It’s time to invest in the right kitchen tools! Sharing with you a brand that's worth every money you'll spend below :)

Carl Schmidt Sohn Kitchen and Cookware
image from Carl Schmidt Sohn's Facebook Page

Let's Celebrate with Cheers Picnic Set

     I have a huge family. I have five siblings and all have their own families now. When we were little, we were used to having celebration everyday at home. My mom cooks her specialties like hamonado, beef caldereta with liver spread, and lengua.  This simple celebrations at home made stronger connections with my siblings that's why we always make sure to continue the tradition together with our in-laws, nephews, and nieces.

     We all have busy schedules but we make sure to spend quality time with our family and bond over food. I want to ask one question, how do you make everyday special with your family and friends? Prolly, your answer is the same as mine- food and happy moments with them. Sharing with you simple tips and inspiration on how to make everyday special with "Cheers!"

Let's Celebrate with Cheers Picnic Set

Fireproof Your Home This Summer Season

     The summer season is just around the corner, I can't believe that it's March already. Everyone's excited to hit the beach and the kids are busy planning how to spend their vacation wisely. This month is also dubbed as the Fire Prevention Month here in the Philippines because most cases of fire-related accidents are relatively high during this season.

     In celebration of the Fire Prevention Month, I'm happy to share with you that my blog has been chosen by Solane, the country's leading LPG solutions provider, to share some tips on how to keep our homes safe.

Fireproof Your Home This Summer Season

Contadina Tuyo Pasta in Pesto Cream Sauce

     I have a confession to make, I don't know how to cook dishes. All I know is make breakfast by frying egg and other fried stuff that's why I'm glad that recipes can now be seen online and it makes cooking a lot easier. Aside from this, making flavorful dishes comes easy now with the help of ready made sauces and ingredients. 

     I recently discovered Contadina while watching AFC (Asian Food Channel) thru Nigella Lawson's Contadina commercial and last week, Contadina Philippines sent me a holiday basket containing their products. Looks like the angels planned this and thought it's time for me to level up my kitchen adventure. It's my first time to make a dish and it's a bit challenging because I'll be preparing a holiday dish for my family. But it will be an easy task for me with the help of Contadina products as they offer ready to cook pasta sauces made from natural ingredients. Sharing the recipe below plus a holiday package giveaway from Contadina Philippines!

Contadina Tuyo Pasta in Pesto Cream Sauce

Beat the Heat and Prevent Summer Health Hazards at Home

     This insane heat is making everyone sweat! Summer is in full swing and we can't deny the fact that the scorching heat and almost boiling temperature makes uneasy for us to move. Our erratic weather also means the rise of communicable diseases that's why we need to look for ways to beat the summer heat. Though everyone looks forward to a sunny summer every year, the hot weather in this year’s summer seems to be too much everyone. 

     With still a few months to go until the climate returns to a mild condition, the risk of getting a heatstroke is higher than ever. When exposed to hot climate, the body’s temperature also rises and gets dehydrated in the process. Discover tips on how to beat the heat and prevent summer health hazards below.

Beat the Heat and Prevent Summer Health Hazards at Home

     When the body cannot function properly anymore, one experiences nausea, rapid breathing, palpitations, headache, and the skin appears flushed but dry at the same time. Heatstroke can strike at a 40 °C temperature or more, and if not managed properly, heatstroke can be fatal or may lead to damage to the brain, lungs, kidney and heart.

1. To prevent heatstroke, keeping the body hydrated is a must! 

     Aside from water, fresh juice can keep you refreshed this dry season. Aside from being a great source of refreshment, fresh juice is your way to a healthier you. The fresher the juice, the more beneficial it is to your body. And the best way to get the freshest juice is to make your own at home. There is no need to buy juice loaded with sugar; definitely not good for the body.

Beat the Heat and Prevent Summer Health Hazards at Home

     At home, you can choose which fruit or vegetable you prefer. Fruits like watermelon, cucumber, pear, apples, oranges and pineapple are best in keeping the body hydrated. You can even add herbs, like basil and mint, for a cooling effect. Lemon, calamansi and kamias are loaded with Vitamin C that can help maintain the body’s heat effective coping mechanism.

2. For an even healthier drink, add leafy greens! 

     These contain nutrients that aid in the proper functioning of the body’s temperature control system; or add celery, beets or carrots which naturally contain sodium that can help ward off heat exhaustion.

Beat the Heat and Prevent Summer Health Hazards at Home
photo taken from Breville's Facebook Page

     To be able to extract all the juice from fruits and vegetables without eradicating its nutritional content, you need the best tool out there that can do the job for you. Breville, a premier brand of kitchen tool from Australia, has a line of juicers that can cater to your needs.

Breville Juice Fountains

• The Breville Juice Fountains are powerful juicers that can extract more juice and nutrients from any produce compared to other juicers. 
• The Breville Juice Fountains come with 25% larger feed tubes, ensuring that fruits and vegetable of larger size can also fit in. 
• No need to chop your fruits in small bits as large fruits can fit in the chute. You can also juice to your heart’s content as these juicer have a jug capacity that range from 1L to 1.2L.
• The Breville Juice Fountains are equipped with full variable speed technology that allows you to control the speed. Soft fruits yield more juice at lower speed, while hard fruits produce more juice at high speed.
• All Breville juicers are built with extractors that eject the dry pulp and contain it in an external basket during the juicing process. 
• Breville juicers are efficient, fast, reliable, easy to use and easy to clean.

Beat the Heat and Prevent Summer Health Hazards at Home
Breville Juice Fountain

     Now, you can make your own juice at the comforts of your home and enjoy all its benefits. With your homemade juice, you do not need to worry about getting dehydrated when you are out and about. So what are you waiting for? Beat the summer heat, take care of your health and upgrade your lifestyle by having your kitchen Breville-lized this summer!

For more information on Breville Juicers and other products, 

visit www.breville.com.ph

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016

     Start of summer will be more exciting this year because SM Home will be having its Kitchen and Dining Sale on March 31 - May 15 , 2016 and this is not an ordinary sale because the discounted items on the list are useful kitchen and dining wares brought to us by trusted brands.

     If you're building your kitchen and dining essentials especially if you're the oc type of individual, SM Home offers those branded kitchen equipment and dining ware pieces from 30%-50% off the price tag! Now, achieving #kitchengoals and #diningtablegoals will come true if you go and check out the sale items at SM Home this coming March 31- May 15, 2016. To give you a glimpse of the items from SM Home's wide variety of products plus the kitchen and dining wares that I'd pick at the store, scroll down please :) 

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016

     I'm very excited to share with you some of the items on sale. Since SM Home offers a wide array of kitchen items and dining wares from affordable to high-end ones, I will just show what my eye and heart desires. Well, I'm eyeing and been wanting to have these pieces in our kitchen and dining table because of the design and their function. 

     For the kitchen, I really wish to have small appliances that I'll be using every day especially for preparing healthy meals for my family. Here are my picks:

1. Thomson Juicer- perfect for making fresh juices that I can serve during meal times instead of mixing powdered drinks.

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016
Thomson Juicer

2. Imarflex 3 in 1 Snack Maker- this snack maker will help me prepare small meals for Kenzo like waffles and sandwiches

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016
Imarflex 3 in 1 Snack Maker

3. Hanabishi Fryer- frying finger foods and other snack items will be easy and convenient because this fryer has strainer too.

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016
Hanabishi Fryer

     For the dining wares, I want a minimalist design but I would be happy if there are feminine accents to it. I'm so getting plates with floral designs because it's so dainty and girly. This goes same for utensils, a simple design will do. My picks below:

1. Floral designed plates, bowls, cups and saucers- like what I've said above, I have a thing for dainty designs so this brand and style is a keeper!

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016Floral designed plates, bowls, cups and saucers

2. Oneida Serif Cutlery 20PC Set- the design of the spoon, fork, and knife is simple and one-of-a-kind which I also find elegant and perfect for minimalist themed dining table.

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016Oneida Serif Cutlery 20PC Set

3. Serve Wares with Metal Handles- I like the design and of course the handle as it will be more easier to transfer the serve ware from one place to another because of the built in handle.

SM Home Kitchen and Dining Sale 2016
Serve Wares with Metal Handles

     If you're planning to upgrade your kitchen and table wares, you should not miss this sale from SM Home. List down the items you wish to buy now because items on sale are of limited stocks and availability of items depends on the branch. This sale will run for six weeks so I'm inviting everyone to check out other items at SM Home's website below :) After checking out the items, kindly share your picks on the comment section below! 

For more information about SM Home, 

visit their website: www.smhome.com.ph

Like them on Facebook: SM Home

Follow them on Twitter: @SMHome_Ph

Follow them on Instagram: @smhome

Good Times!~

Clara Ole Potluck Foodfest Launch

     Who here loves to cook? I'm sure everyone loves to eat but only a few loves to cook. Considering time and budget, some veered away from cooking and just resort to fast foods for their meals. This kind of lifestyle is not healthy because some fast food meals contain ingredients that we don't know if it's good for our health. But even if you have little time or space, nothing should stop you from making delicious and healthy meals at home. Find comfort that Clara Ole offers a wide array of convenient food solutions to help you whip up a healthy and delicious meal without taking up much time and space in the kitchen. 

     I was invited by Clara Ole, to the Potluck Foodfest that was launched last April 10 at the R-Space in Bel Air, Makati. Hosted by radio DJ Gelli Victor. The event was a food-filled afternoon where Clara Ole prepared savory and sumptuous meals to all the guests invited. This brand is not new to me, the hubby and I are patrons or their cheesy pesto sauce. Since we are pesto lovers, we find the sauce so affordable and easy to prepare. Clara Ole is not only about pasta sauces, they are also offering a wide array dips, dressings, syrups, jellies and other condiments perfect to pair with other ingredients for easy cooking of delicious and healthy meals at home. Click CONTINUE READING to know more about Clara Ole Potluck Foodfest now!

Clara Ole Potluck Foodfest Launch