Experiencing The Grand Lunar Feast with ISKAPARATE.COM

The Lunar New Year came to me quite differently this year as the folks from ISKAPARATE.COM had us join their Chinese Delicacy Cooking Workshop last week at the All About Baking store in SM North Edsa The Block in Quezon City. The workshop was facilitated by the very nice Chef Cathy Yu of Save Bakery and Cafe Philippines.

First off, it was the first time I've seen All About Baking, and they've got everything you need with that hobby and more. Folks would feel like a kid in a candy store when you're there, as all the ingredients, equipment, even the materials you need to have a successful bake shop is all there! 

 

The event was done through ISKAPARATE.COM's site via DTC Promos Inc. They got several subscribers join in which includes Customers, Mothers, Entrepreneurs, Business Owners who would want to learn to prepare and cook delicacies apt for the occasion. They were a pretty nice group and saw how some experienced ones helping the others which was a pretty sight to see. Aside from Chef Cathy Yu, 

DTC Promos Inc. President and COO Ms. Marissa Dames also talked to us about ISKAPARATE.COM's referral program. Those who are planning to have their products on the site were also accommodated by the ConnectSys who told them about the Vendor referral program and how one could earn from it. If you wish to be part of that, just message them on Iskaparate's Facebook page or their published email address.

To join the TAP or Tell A Pal Affiliate program, one just needs to share or promote any product from their website and have it monitored through the ReferralPlus platform. The site views activities from your account and monitors your commission. Just create an account at the ReferralPulse website after registering at the ISKAPARATE.COM website.

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Going back to our workshop, they had us learn the ropes in making Egg Tarts, Fried Milk (made with Arla Full Cream Milk!), Almond Cookies (with McCormick spices), Gyoza (used Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce for the marinade and dip), Baked Honey Pork Steak Char Siu (used Lee Kum Kee sauces too), and the Huat Huat Noodle (using SYSU products). We made them all using the high tech UNOX ovens at the shop (oh yes it's also there!). All of these are available at the ISKAPARATE.COM website which would be a very convenient way to prepare for meals, special occasions since it's an all in one store. They also give exposure to those who would want to start a business, one that's got the online store, logistics and marketing know how prepared for those who need it.

This isn't the first time that they have held an event of this magnitude, and yes, they told us to expect more of these in the coming months. Being a new member of the site made me feel I belong, and seeing them help SME's, and even offer micro loans made me realize the extent of effort to put in this place. They know how folks could start their own business, in hopes to change lives in the process.

With all these, I now think I'm a good cook.  :)  So if you want to experience this too, go join the fun over at their website.

PUREGOLD Shows Stories of Triumph in "Nasa Iyo Ang Panalo!"

After doing a few highly successful series on their YouTube channel, here goes PUREGOLD showcasing another called "Nasa Iyo Ang Panalo" aimed to inspire even more Filipinos here and abroad. It's about 6 people who have all been able to weather through adversities to achieve their dreams in the fields of entertainment, music and sports. It's going to tell much of how they were able to win in their respective lives and get to where they are today. PUREGOLD Price Club President Vincent Co attributes their success to their customers especially on their 25th year, and they are presenting these stories so Filipinos would be able to know that success if possible for them too. The series will feature Justin of SB19, actress Francine Diaz, Luis Manzano + Jessy Mendiola, world champ pole vaulter EJ Obiena and TikTok's Reyna Batangueña Queenay Mercado. 

Make sure you subscribe to PUREGOLD CHANNEL on YouTube so when they release episodes, you get first dibs. You can also follow their social channels @puregold.shopping on FB or @puregold_ph on IG and Twitter as they update it regularly when episodes come out.

Healthy Recipes for Summer from Woolworths

It looks like it's a good day for recipes since it's been extra hot in the Philippines. There's always good stuff around, like fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lots of things you can whip up for a meal, afternoon snack or a drink to cool you down. Here's some of them you can follow so you can prepare some for your loved ones, quite easy too.

Fiber is a really good place to start. For breakfast, there's this Muesli Breakfast Bowl which you can prepare for your kids or husbands/wife. This also is good for the heart much like other fiber rich foods, so enjoy!

Muesli Breakfast Bowl

Combine half a cup of Woolworths Toasted Honey and Cinnamon Muesli in a bowl, the juice of one calamansi juice, half a cavendish banana, and chopped dried mangoes. You can also add a small container of low fat yogurt, a quarter cup Woolworths Free Form Lactose Full Cream Milk, Coco Sugar or Honey, a dash of ground cinnamon, cashew nuts on top and eat it all!


Summer Macaroni Salad

The usual Macaroni Salad in the country isn't really that healthy, but here's an alternative recipe that would make you probably a few pounds lighter after a holiday. In a mixing bowl, a cup of Woolworths Macaroni, a quarter cup red onion, a small minced carrot, a stalk of celery minced, a cup of Woolworths Tropical Fruit Juice (which you should drain), half a cup of cooked ham, a cup of Woolworths Mayonnaise Shredded Chicken Breast (lesser calories than usual Mayo), a teaspoon of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, plus a teaspoon of coco sugar. Put it in the fridge and serve during snack, before lunch or dinner.

Tomato and White Cheese Penne Pasta

A really good mix of the usual flare and local "Quesong Puti" is just something so good to pass on.

Get 400 grams Woolworths Penne, 2 table spoons cooking oil, 5 table spoons Olive Oil, a medium bulb onion chopped, 400 grams Woolworths Diced Tomatoes, 2 table spoons Tomato Paste, one Thai Bird Chili (siling labuyo), salt, half a cup Quesong Puti cut to small cubes. Cook pasta to package directions, mix everything together and simmer in pan, top with Quesong Puti and lower the heat til it melts. Add veggies if you prefer, much better if you've got basil too.

Couscous Salad

Couscous has low glycemic index so no worries for diabetics like me. Get half a cup of it and cook to package directions, mix half a cup of red and green bell pepper, yellow if you have that too. Add two table spoons green onion, a handfull of chopped parsley, lemon juice to taste, a third of a cup of olive oil, salt and chopped oven toasted almonds on top. Enjoy!


Drink: Peach Papaya Power Smoothie

Something cold to have on a summer month would be good no? This smoothie would be a nice play to start to get needed vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables.

Get 1 Papaya Sliced, half a cup Woolworths Peaches in Juice, half a cup Woolworths Unsweetened Almond Milk, one and a half cup crushed ice, a teaspoon chia seeds. Blend all ingredients together and just sprinkle the chia seeds on top. This can get you protein, fiber, antioxidants you need throughout the day.

There's a lot of ingredients over a Woolworths you can get at Shopwise, Marketplace by Rustans, Robinsons Superstores or shop online via the Go Robinsons app or their website. I personally consume the couscous and several Filipino products they also offer in the Woolworths section in these stores, there's a lot more where these healthy products came from!