All-Around Pinay Mama

#PakNaPak na Healthy Recipes by Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil + Giveaway (July 2017)

July 08, 2017

Most kids nowadays are picky eaters and my sons are no exception. There are days when our menu just keeps on rotating over and over and that includes Fried Chicken and Fish and sandwiches that are so easy to prepare. Paps and I do our very best to be creative in preparing our meals to encourage our kids to eat more healthy food choices but sometimes we are too tired and busy to sustain our habit. Nevertheless, we still do our best to extend our effort.

It is obvious that food preparation takes time and it is our duty as parents to do it properly no matter how very busy and exhausted we are. Hindi basta nakasanayan ay the best na.

Just recently, a friend from Uni-Pak sent me a gift bag with cans of Mackerel in Natural Oil and a desk calendar with recipes on it just in time when we were thinking of other interesting and healthy quick and easy meals to cook. I really felt happy and relieved because Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil could give us hearty meals in no time.

Why is Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil healthy and safe? An oily fish such as mackerel is known to help fight cardiovascular disease, dementia, loss of vision, and prostrate cancer. It's one of the best sources of protein, selenium, vitamins B and D, and omega-3 fatty acids--- vitamins, minerals, and fat that are necessary for good health. Uni-Pak is a flagship brand of SLORD Development Corporation, the company that specializes in toll-packing quality canned goods that is trusted by domestic and international companies since 1985.

Moving on, here are two of the great-tasting and healthy dishes that I cooked using Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil:

***Uni-Pak Mackerel Sisig***

uni-pak, mackerel, fish recipes, home cooking, yummy, Filipino food, All-Around Pinay Mama

Ingredients

1 can of 425 Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil, drained and flaked

3-4 cloves garlic

1 medium-sized onion, minced

1 piece red chili (siling labuyo), minced

oil or 1/8 stick of butter for frying

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 teaspoon soy sauce or liquid seasoning

Optional seasoning

2 pieces kalamansi

spring onions

Procedure

1. In a cooking pan, heat oil or butter.

2. Saute garlic and onion.

3. Put in Uni-Pak Mackerel flakes, liquid seasoning or soy sauce, and red chili. Cook for 3-5 minutes

4. Remove from heat and transfer it to serving plate.

5. Put kalamansi, mayonnaise, and spring onion. Mix well.

***Uni-Pak Healthy Mackerel Sandwich***

uni-pak, mackerel, fish, canned fish, delicious, healthy, sandwich, recipe

Ingredients

1 can of 425g Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil, drained and flaked

2 tablespoons red onions, minced

1 tablespoon lemon or calamansi juice

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

8 slices white or wheat bread

lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber (optional)

salt, sugar, and pepper, to taste

Procedure

1. Mix the mackerel, minced onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and pepper.

2. Spread the mackerel mixture on slices of bread.

3. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber and close the sandwiches.

These recipes are so easy to prepare and so delicious and nutritious that even busy individuals can do hastily and picky eaters can appreciate. They can save the day from being chaotic! Hindi rin siya malansa. Kaya basta Mackerel, dapat tatak Uni-Pak!

Do you want to get a #PakNaPak na Uni-Pak Mackerel in Natural Oil gift pack for free and cook your own #TatakUnipak recipes? Uni-Pak is giving away a gift pack to one of you and it's so easy to join. Just do the following steps:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway is open to my readers residing in the Philippines only. You don't have to be my social media account followers to join. Giveaway period is from July 8 to 21, 2017 only. Winner will be chosen by random.org.

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook Page on July 23, 2017 and he/she will be notified through Facebook private message on the same day. Uni-Pak/SLORD Development Corporation will be responsible in shipping the prize to the winner. Thanks and good luck!

My Daily Basic Facial Routine to Keep Me Pimple Free

July 02, 2017

In the height of summer heat, unlike all summers in previous years, I started having pimples or breakouts. All the facial products that I use regularly caused further irritations. For the type of person who doesn't easily experience skin problems, what happened last summer made me realize that being comfortable with the products that I use for months and years isn't inevitable.

I still used those products hoping that having pimples would be temporary but I was wrong. They got worse. Then I remembered that I used feminine wash to cleanse my face and body when I forgot to bring my facial wash and soap during one of our out-of-town trips. The fresh and clean feeling that it gave me flashed back. Then immediately I tried using it again and I was so happy that the itchiness on my face was gone instantly. The zits tamed down. I didn't use any toner or moisturizer for three days after cleansing because I was afraid that the irritations might come back.

Betadine Fresh Bliss Daily Feminine Wash is my dependable cleanser down there for almost a year because I haven't felt any itchiness at all. I am also confident that it cleanses my private part and face mildly and deeply due to the presence of antibacterial properties that came from natural sources. It's delicately formulated for daily gentle cleansing. What makes it more safe is it's paraben-free and made with anti-itch avena oats that helps soothe and prevent itching and gentle defense lactic acid to protect my intimate area and face from unpleasant odor and of course, from bacteria and fungi. It has two variants and I use them alternately, Lavander Dreams and Pink Paradise.

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But then again, my skin type is a combination of oily and dry. I felt that there were patches of very dry skin on my face that needed to be addressed. I knew for a fact that even if there were oily areas or even if the entire face was oily, moisturizer should be part of the daily skin routine and choosing the right product fit for my skin type should be considered. When I went to the supermarket, I purchased Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer hoping that it would work for me. I was fortunate it did!

Celeteque Hydation Facial Moisturizer is unscented, water-based, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, oil-free, and clinically-proven mild and safe. It doesn't make my skin oily and it can be used even during on humid or hot days. It is perfect for my combination skin type. Like using my trusted feminine wash, I haven't experienced any breakouts while using it. It's a good primer for make-up too. My face didn't feel sticky or heavy while using this.

I had no problem with the face powder that I use whenever I would go out. The no presence of SPF of Celeteque Facial Moisturizer wasn't a problem too because Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Powder had SPF32. The problem was despite Maybelline's excellent coverage function, I wanted a reliable product that would have higher SPF and easy to apply. Then Belo SunExpert Tinted Sunscreen was introduced to me by a blogger friend and I started loving it to bits. Why? Because it was easy to apply, only a small amount could cover the entire face, it could adapt to any skin tone giving an even finish without caking, it strengthens skin's premature aging, and most of all has SPF50 and PA++++ to ensure broad spectrum protection against harmful UV rays. Using only this after moisturizing could be enough. The concealing effect and flawless finish, comparable to using BB or CC cream, could last for hours despite getting very sweaty.

This three products are my reliable partners to maintain my daily facial routine in no time without having pimples. They won't break a tight budget because you just need small amounts for every use. They are economical, safe, and functional. What more can I ask for?

They are available in leading supermarkets, malls, and drugstores. No need to order online that makes purchasing them hassle-free.

Do you have any suggestions on how you maintain a pimple free face? Feel free to comment below. We will be glad to know them all!

Yogo and Cream Fresh Tea and Juice Meetup

June 30, 2017

I've been blogging for quite sometime and one of the things that I love about it is I get to discover other bloggers who are exceptionally inspiring. They are bloggers who live their lives to the fullest and at their best in what they do. It shows on the way they take photos, curate their social media sites, compose their articles, and most of all, show how sincere they are to their readers and followers. It is but innate that who they really are shows through their craft.

I am not ashamed to express my deep "fan-girling" to my favorite bloggers. It is my way of expressing my thanks and gratitude for making me very happy through the learning and inspiration that I get from them.

Just recently, my most favorite couple blogger, Yogo and Cream also known as Lloyd Urbino and Me-An Clemente, had their first meetup and I was jumping for joy when I was chosen to be one of the 15 fans to be part of the said intimate event.

This was the invite that I saw on @yogoandcream's Instagram account that made my heart flutter.

All I wanted was to see them again in person and would be able to talk to them and tell them face to face that I really, really like them because when I saw them in Blogapalooza, I was starstruck and didn't have the courage to do so.

Coco Fresh Juice and Tea, Gold Stack Potato Chips, Say Cheese MNL, Yogo and Cream, All-Around Pinay Mama, Gateway Mall

What made me more excited was the event would be the best time to meet amazing people who would love to talk about blogging, food, sight-seeing, photography, and love life/loving life--- the things that I consider interesting.

I seldom attend events but this one I made time for. It was indeed a memorable experience. For two hours, all my expectations were met. It was indeed a time well spent.

It was full of fun and opened doors for new friendships.

I felt young because most of the participants were millenials including Yogo and Cream. Their energy was contagious and it was nice to see charming and friendly faces. The meetup wasn't too rigid or structured. It was light and personal. The eagerness of Yogo and Cream and all participants to know everyone was evident.

It was laden with a lot of inputs and ideas.

Yogo and Cream were very accommodating in answering our questions even if they were too personal. Even though I was a seasoned blogger, I learned so much from this couple particularly about the ins and outs of blogging which most, I must say, were similar to what I practice and believe in. Those made me admire them more.

Yogo and Cream consider blogging as a hobby first and they haven't thought that this endeavor could give them so much opportunities that they haven't expected. The simple love for food for Lloyd and travel for Me-An combined together have made their blog as one of the best source for food trips and travel destinations in the blogosphere. It is obvious that they love what they do. It doesn't feel like they are working that makes more brands notice them. More opportunities come their way and they deserve it.

Like I practice, Yogo and Cream don't post on social media or blog about the products that they haven't tried or liked. They don't deceive their followers. What you see in their sites are purely honest and true.

They also curate their photos on Instagram well that revolve on people, places, and food, three things that describe their main focus as a couple blogger. I also curate my Instagram photos but they are randomly posted and I've realized that they don't look visually enticing. From now on, I will improve in curating my photos which will also focus on my niche as a blogger.

Bloggers have different motivations to blog and I share the same motivation with Yogo and Cream. Blogging is a lucrative business but it should not be a venue for individuals to solely get something out of it and fool people or even brands. It should not be an endeavor to compete with others but rather, it is a job to be enjoyed and treated with utmost passion, integrity, and professionalism.

I experienced a lot of firsts.

It was my very first time to explore Gateway Mall because I got lost. LOL!

Moreover, I wasn't a fan of milk tea but tasting Taro Milk Tea by Coco Fresh and Tea and Juice blew my mind! I told Lloyd and Me-An that I preferred Banana Chocolate Slush that was equally delicious and refreshing, by the way. It was served late and it was blessing in disguise that made me taste Taro Milk Tea. I will definitely go back for this! I've learned from Me-An that this brand is considered the best milk tea brand in the world! Now I know why.

I always see Gold Stack Potato Chips on Instagram and I am so curious about how it taste. Yay! The Sour Cream and Onion variant is delicious and not too salty. I love it! I can't wait to try the other flavors!

It was love at first bite. Oh my, the foodie in me was unleashed again!

As an OC mom, getting a 6 in 1 packing cube from The Closet Savers Company as a raffle prize made me very kilig to the bones! It was my first time to hear about this brand and based on the products that I saw on its Instagram account, traveler and organizing enthusiasts could benefit from them by solving their packing and organizing problems.

Our 6 in 1 Packing Cubes in Navy Blue Php 480 only! Order now: www.closetspacesaversph.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/travel.organizersph

A post shared by THE CLOSET SPACE SAVERS CO. (@travel.organizersph) on Jul 21, 2016 at 1:06am PDT

I also had a chance to meet the man behind Say Cheese MNL, the event's official photographer. When you see his and his partner's portfolio on Facebook and Instagram, you would never think twice of hiring them in events and food photo shoots.

See you there! #Repost @yogoandcream: "We are excited to announce our first meet up at @cocoteaph co-presented by @goldstackph @travel.organizersph and @saycheesemnl. Stay tuned for the details, sign up, and we hope to meet you with fellow lovers of food and travel 😊 #lovefoodtravel"

A post shared by Say Cheese! (@saycheesemnl) on Jun 17, 2017 at 5:54pm PDT

It was my first time to attend a blogger meetup. As a fan, I am truly blessed and glad to know Lloyd and Me-An better, up close and personal. I really found more reasons why I should continue following them. They have no pretention. They stick to their values and always put their feet on the ground despite being on top of their blogging career. They are genuinely candid and generous of their time, knowledge, and blessings. What you see is what you get.

Our readers are what fuel us to keep on producing content. A huge thank you to everyone who supports us 💕 We can't thank you enough. ••• 📷: @saycheesemnl ••• #lovefoodtravel #yogoandcream

A post shared by Love Food, Travel & Etc. (@yogoandcream) on Jun 28, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

Thank you, Yogo and Cream! Until next meetup! Kindly bring Mommy Irene with you! I am dying to meet her! More power and God bless you in all your endeavors and adventures! Looking forward to your next #lovefoodtravel posts!

Tupperware Fresh Staks: Help Store More and Waste Less

June 28, 2017

According to Sharon Franke, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, air is one of the major factors that can cause fast spoilage of cooked or raw food. She stressed out the importance of airtight containers in food storage because they keep it from developing freezer burns, getting soggy or dry, or absorbing odors of other food items because these containers don't allow air to pass through freely.

After years of testing different airtight containers, she found out that the best choice was still made of glass with tight lids that should be virtually leak proof. But if you feel that made of glass wouldn't fit your lifestyle or be applicable to you, she said that made of plastic could also work. Plastic containers, like glass, are non-porous which don't allow air to come in and out easily.

Food grade and non-toxic plastic airtight containers, for me, fit my lifestyle more since I have very young children. They are lightweight that make them easier to carry and clean without any worries of breaking them that even my kids can handle. Aside from being food grade, safe, and non-toxic, here are the factors that I consider in looking for the best airtight plastic containers and Tupperware Fresh Staks meet my requirements:

- help store more and waste less

Tupperware, the brand of plastic containers used in households to store food and keep it airtight, was developed in 1946 by Earl Silas Tupper in Leominster, Massachusetts. He patented its "burping seal" that made it unique from competitors.

- rectangular in shape that promotes the use of space efficiently

All-Around Pinay Mama,Tupperware Fresh Staks, best food storage, plastic containers

- containers can be reused for years

Tupperware Brands Philippines assures its clients of its products' superb quality that makes them last for years and it gives a 10-year product warranty against defects in the material or worksmanship under normal or household non-commercial use.

All-Around Pinay Mama, Tupperware Fresh Staks, food container, best food storage, plastic container

- stackable to maximize our fridge space

- contain a set of three different sizes that makes me use only what is needed

Remember, using large containers more than we need can accommodate more space for air that causes food to spoil. The set comes with the following: one Medium Fresh Stak (Php799.00), one Large Fresh Stak (Php899.00), and one Jumbo Fresh Stak (Php999.00), perfect for storing less or more food items.

All-Around Pinay Mama,Tupperware Fresh Staks, food storage, best food container, plastic container

Medium (Capacity: 1.3 L; Dimensions: 27.6 cm L x 13.5 cm W x 6.7 cm H), Large (Capacity: 2.2 L; Dimensions: 27.6 cm L x 13.5 cm W x 9.7 cm H), Jumbo (Capacity: 3.1 L; Dimensions: 27.6 cm L x 13.5 cm W x 12.8 cm H)

- store raw or cooked food, fruits, and vegetables

All-Around Pinay Mama, Tupperware Fresh Staks, best food container, food storage, plastic container

- come with handles for easy pulling out of the fridge

All-Around Pinay Mama, Tupperware Fresh Staks, plastic container, best food container, food storage

Tupperware Fresh Staks can surely keep food fresh longer while keeping the fridge or pantry organized.

To ensure that I use them properly to serve their purpose, their lids must be properly placed. Below is a step by step instruction on how I properly seal them.

1. Place lid, groove over container rim and press one corner.

2. Slide thumbs over top of lid edges to opposite corners.

3. Continue to slide thumbs over edges to fourth corner.

To remove the lid, I just lift it on one corner then lift other three corners one at a time. Easy peasy!

I am more confident that our family saves more and waste less because Tupperware Fresh Staks really work! Like my positive experience, Tupperware Brands Philippines would like to give a special treat to one of you, my lucky readers/followers! The winner will receive a set of three Tupperware Fresh Staks shown above worth Php2,697.00! Yay!

When a brand sends you a #lovemail for yourself and one of your lucky readers, it feels 😵😍😚! . Thank you, @tupperwarebrandsph, for this gift! This Mama feels like doing a happy dance! 😁 . Review and giveway post will be live on my blog very soon! 💙💚💜 . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmfavorites #aapmcollaboration #aapmgiveaway #tupperwareph #foodstorage #cleanandbright #minimalist

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Jun 23, 2017 at 12:16am PDT

Joining is so quick and easy. Just follow the steps below:

1. LIKE/FOLLOW Tupperware Brands Philippines's social media sites.
Facebook - Tupperware Brands Philippines
Instagram - @tupperwarebrandsph

Twitter - @TupperBrandsph

2. LIKE/FOLLOW me on the following social media sites:

Facebook - All-Around Pinay Mama
Instagram - @allaroundpinaymama

Twitter - @multitasking_sj

3. Leave the following as a comment on this blog post:

YOUR FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER PROFILE URLs

4. All steps must be done to qualify for this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to residents of the Philippines only. Giveaway period is from June 28 to July 7, 2017. Entries will be checked by yours truly. The winner among the qualified entries will be chosen by random.org. I will announce the winner on my Facebook page on July 9, 2017 and he/she will be notified through Facebook private message on the same day. I will be responsible in shipping the prize to the winner.

Thanks for joining and good luck! I am so excited to know the winner, ship the prize to him/her, and learn his/her Tupperware Fresh Stak experience. I hope you learned something from this post that can prevent you too from wasting more food.

REVIEW: Kolbadent Gum Alive Mouth Spa Toothpaste + Natural Whitening

June 28, 2017

Having a perfect set of teeth is my topmost frustration when talking about physical attributes. Honestly, my present teeth situation can cause insecurities whenever I socialize with people.

At a very young age of 10, I wore braces after complying to the Ortho's advice to have four of my teeth extracted to make my remaining teeth get fixed. This old practice of Orthodontics caused me to suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) that prompted me to quit my job as a teacher to avoid too much talking in order not to worsen my severe condition. To have it fixed, thirteen of my strong and cavity-free teeth were replaced by porcelain crowns and God. the procedure that I went through was painful! I also endured the sad reality that most of my teeth were already fake.

Having porcelain crowns is difficult. They are so difficult to maintain. Since the teeth underneath them are already in their abnormal state, they are already prone to decay when not being managed properly. Good oral hygiene is a must to keep them free from cavities and stains. But sometimes, regular toothpastes are not enough to sustain my teeth's whiteness aside from cleanliness that can last for hours due to food stains like the ones I get from sauces, tea, and coffee. There are safe toothpastes that promise gum care and tooth protection which I need the most but sadly, no whitening function. There are also whitening toothpastes available but peroxide does the whitening and my dentist doesn't allow me to use such. A friend of mine introduced me to a safe whitening toothpaste available online months ago and I am happy with what it does. Then lately, an online friend has made her way for me to receive a sample of Kolbadent Gum Alive Mouth Spa Toothpaste + Natural Whitening.

Well, it's worth trying. I am impressed with what it claims that it can do to oral health and hygiene. On the packaging it says that it's made from the following natural ingredients, no peroxide or paraben, extracted into pure essential oils and uniquely blended with its exclusive formula:

White Bamboo Charcoal- helps absorb impurities

Bamboo Salt- an excellent traditional treatment for cleaning and whitening teeth

Sacred Fig Tree's Bark Extract- effectively strengthens gum tissues

Chamomile Extract- a natural soothing agent

Mint- for a refreshing breath and cooling effect

This toothpaste is trusted to be the most effective natural whitening toothpaste and its therapeutic properties excellently reduce gum problems, delicately dissolves coffee and tea stains, and significantly helps strengthen teeth and gums when used regularly, leaving our teeth naturally bright for that beautiful smile!

For best results, as suggested, just use half of normal quantity because it's pure and concentrated. Brush for three minutes and rinse thoroughly. Then brush with clean water once more. Use twice daily or after meals.

I am using it for a week and I love what it does. It helps me lessen my insecurities when I socialize with people. My mouth and teeth feel clean longer. My teeth don't build up plaque and stay glossy. The whitening part, well prior to using this, I've mentioned already that I am using another safe whitening toothpaste, but I have noticed that my teeth continuously gets lighter. Compared to other toothpastes, it tastes more herbal than minty but it's okay for me. Another plus point for Gum Alive is that it's available in leading drugstores and supermarkets like Mercury Drug, Unimart, Makati Supermarket, Fisher Mall, Cash and Carry Mall, Shopper's Mart Chinatown, PC Supermarket Pioneer Centre, and All About Health & Wellness Store SM Center Pasig. There's no need to buy it online to avoid additional charges for shipping fee. For me it's still affordable at Php395.00 because I only need to use a small amount per brushing. In the long run, it's economical because it goes a long way. No need to buy often.

For more information about this product, go to www.erpwellness.com.ph and follow Gum Alive on Facebook for updates.