www.littlenars.com | Dianne Peña

Red Ribbon never fails to surprise us because they have yet released 2 new cakes for the month of L-O-V-E. Presenting to you the chocolatiest cake that will surely suit your cravings:

Chocolate Heaven

As what its name entails, you will experience heaven as you indulge yourself with it because of its 4-layer combination of creamy of chocolate brownie, chocolate mousse, rich dark chocolate icing and chocolate shaven curls. It really suited my taste because I am a chocolate addict and I super love the classic Chocolate Mousse cake. Chocolate is my energy food. It gets me going. Therefore, Chocolate Heaven, really pumped me up during my late night duties. LOL!

It is up for grabs in all Red Ribbon stores and is available in junior size (P335) and regular size (P560).

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…

Since Red Ribbon is always present in all occasion as they claimed, they continue to prove it by giving us:

Roses and Kisses Cake

a heart-shaped chocolate pound cake designed with edible sugar roses and Hershey’s milk chocolate Kisses on top. Inside it is filled with layers of chocolate fudge filling coated with white icing.

It is now available for pre-order until February 9, 2009 and is available off the shelf in all Red Ribbon branches nationwide from Febraury 12-14, 2010. Roses and Kisses cake is six diameters in size that is worth P330. It is perfectly in time for Valentine’s Day.

The cake is just sweet and creamy enough to add spice to your “sugary” moment and what’s even delighting about it is you can have it personalized and make it extra special by giving a sweet message for a total of 14-character text before and after the “Happy Valentine’s Day”.

What are you waiting for? Try these very luscious cakes now or else….

Simbang Gabi… Misa De Gallo… 9 Mornings… A tradition for Filipino Catholics where in group of friends, families, etc… attends all 9 consecutive dawn masses at 4 or 5AM starting December 16 to December 24, after completing Simbang Gabi, you can have your wish. Simbang Gabi is a time of the year where the Church overflows with people everyday that you wish it’s always Christmas.

I have completed Simbang Gabi 4 times including this year. I have started attending it since 2002. So far, all my wishes were granted. The awesome part was this year’s wish because it was granted even before I finished Simbang Gabi. God is reaaaaally GOOD. He truly never let me down.

My Misa De Gallo experience for year 2009 was different because I attended mass at four different churches. The first day was at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay City with my College friends, third day was at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Pateros also with my other College friends and a great way to end it was by attending the last stretch of Kraft Eden Cheese, Keso De Gallo— a nationwide event coinciding with the traditionally celebrated Misa de Gallo.

I, together with my mum and brother, Jeric had the privilege to attend our last day for Simbang gabi at San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor, Pampanga. The mass was in Kapampangan and I only followed through the mass because of the order, I even responded in Tagalog. (I was kind of worried if I were able to complete it because I didn’t understand the homily. Hihi). It was my first time to hear a Kapampangan mass and that was a splendid experience.

Parallel to the nine-day Simbang Gabi, Eden brought the goodness of Filipino dishes to Pinoys in nine different towns including Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan City, Laoag and Pampanga.

After the mass, At least 300 “kabalens” enjoyed the “Cheesy Squash Puto” a recipe done by pupils from the San Matias Elementary School in Pampanga sponsored by Kraft Eden Cheese. I can see those pretty little smiles from them that brightened the whole event after tasting the YUMM-Y Cheesy Squash Puto. You’ll never notice that there was a veggie in it. It was some sort of an alternative for our famous Bibingka and Puto Bumbong every after a Simbang Gabi mass.

Everyone was happy eating, chatting, singing, playing and taking pictures… It was a peaceful, triumphant, and superb event. I felt the warmness of the event even though its really cold outside the Church because I was able to savor this experience with my family—the most important thing of all.

Keso De Gallo as it aims to will explore the wonders of our country’s cuisine while providing an extended feast that will bring joy and delight to as many families as possible, was indeed a great means of celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This event really brought out the true essence of Christmas. Nothing beats sharing, loving and togetherness in this season.

Thank You Kraft Eden Cheese for this wonderful experience.

“Dahil kay rami talgaga nating nagagawa pag may Eden Cheese”

P.S

My mum kept on repeating this experience to our relatives during our family Noche Buena.

And the Filipinos have done it once again.

Kraft Eden Cheese broke the record of the “Most Number on Display, In a Single Day” last December 14, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum with………

*insert drum roll sound effects here*

5, 845 Palatable Dishes with CHEESE!!!

There were 500 Chefs and 5,000 dishes in the event. Premier culinary school Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) contribute the most of the research and student manpower in the making of the event, with the added help of other schools such as Regina Carmeli, St. Paul University-Manila, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University-Manila.

In the event, there were also contests that the following schools participated. The Grand winner for the Cheese Carving Contest is Centro Escolar University and Grand winner for the Noche Buena Cook-Off Contest is La Consolacion College.

There were a lot of YUMM-Y dishes and I wished I could taste them all! It was my first event with this kind of cause.

With that, I can say, Filipinos have the habit of making a HISTORY!

Here is my previous blogpost http://www.littlenars.com/2009/11/11/be-a-part-of-history-with-kraft-eden-cheese/

Where is Maki Haus?

That was the question. My mum and I had difficulty in finding it but our effort had been paid of because of their delectable Fookien Style foodies:

D “original” Maki noodles (P95). A thick Chinese soup with undeniable tenderness and juicyness of pork meat. This dish maybe served in a small portion or a large bowl. This “already-a-full-meal-for-me” dish was just the appetizer.

Kiampong (P35). A Chinese version of our Filipino “Paella” rice atop with whole fried peanuts.

(more…)

7-Eleven hosted its 1st Big Bite Challenge, one of the biggest and widest gastronomic competition ever assembled in Southeast Asia last November 14, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. 7-Eleven is celebrating its 25th year of being the largest convenience store chain in the Philippines.

The 25 top finalists selected simultaneously started their gastrointestinal engines and battled it out, where the champion gurgitator brings home P500,000 in cash.

The finalist who has eaten the most Hotdog Sandwich in 10 minutes without spills and vomit.will gain the title of the “First Filipino Gurgitator”.

I was there, I saw them gobble to 50 pieces of Hotdog Sandwich served with I think 10 Big Gulp drinks. A lot of intensity and pressure from the crowd, after the time was up, the tedious counting… then there was the First Filipino Gurgitator.

Leopoldo “ Black Hole “Quinto, Jr. of Baclaran won by eating 13 hotdogs in a span of 10 minutes

Second runner up- was Kyle “The Beast” de Guzman, a nursing student from the University of Pangasinan, took the150,000 pesos prize.

I would never dare to do that. Even if I have a bulging stomach, I think, it cant bear digesting a lot of Hotdog sandwich in 10 minutes. Haha! P500, 000 just by eating… That’s a WOW!

Congratulations to the Winners!

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Feasts have always been in the hearts of Filipinos. In the same manner, feast comes with food and foods prepared during feasts are extra special. There are many ways to make food served extra special and one of which is to put cheese to it.

Cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients to cook with and there are over 2,000 varieties to choose from. It is also one of the oldest manufactured foods in the world.

On December 14, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum, Kraft Eden Cheese will spearhead another history. Together with Filipino women, Cooking enthusiasts, Kusineros, Chefs and Culinary schools from all over aims to set a new World Record got the most number of dishes made with cheese in a single day. They target to make 5,000 dishes with Eden Cheese as one common ingredient.

In a similar spirit we are enjoined to come together as a nation and mobilize the Filipino gifts of creating, inventing and innovating —to showcase our Filipino food culture. From simple snacks to sophisticated main courses, Kraft Eden cheese products can b relied upon to deliver great-tasting meals by making simple recipes a more palatable one. (I, myself is a living testimony and experienced the magic of Eden Cheese when they launched this event to media last November 7)

Since Christmas is fast approaching and the Christmas spirit can really be felt anywhere you walk in Philippines, I am sure Kraft Eden Cheese will surely be present in our homes— or at least in ours (Mum never forgets to buy “Keso De Bola” for Christmas)

I have always been a fan of sweet plus salty taste present in Filipino Spaghetti, composed of sweet tasting sauce atop with YUMM Eden Cheese makes me come back for another plate.

Be a part of history! Let the miracle of sharing happen once again… Sign-up and contribute your favorite recipe with Kraft Eden Cheese at www.sarapngbuhay.com.

Make your every day a YUMM— Your Ulam Mas Masarap with Kraft Eden Cheese.

Everybody wants to be fit, healthy and sexy. For most, it’s a known fact that beauty is measured by your weight. As cliché as it may sound, it’s really “THIN IS IN” but less do people know that its not always the case. Most of us are weight conscious but we don’t do anything about it (or at times only get depressed by it).

About 4 months ago, my life as a bummer started after I have passed the Nursing Licensure Exam. My life is so sedentary that I recently noticed that my clothes especially my shorts and parts were not in its perfect fit on my body or waist shall I say. One indication that I am gaining weight. I mean, I am eating the same but I am being less active and less productive. I had breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner and midnight snack for 1 day (yeah, LARGE frequent feedings. LOL),we always have “Fastfood Friday” in our home and a night out with friends that all we do is to drink, laugh, sing and dance a little. So most probably, I deserve the weight and the figure I have now.

The remedy for the aforementioned dilemma is not a work-out, exercise and diet  (yes, I got time but got no one to do it with plus, enrolling to a gym needs $$$ , which apparently, I dont have. Poor me LOL) but a deceiving clothes and picture pose and angles trick. I wear clothes that are mostly layered, which can cover-up the “flabs” and make wacky poses when there’s picture taking. What a remedy right? Hmmm…

Last October 23, 2009, Del Monte Fit ‘n Right launched its newest campaign Dare to be Fit ‘N Right in Taste Asia at the SM Mall of Asia. The Dare to be Fit ‘N Right launch featured the revolutionary F.I.T workout by sports scientist and Master Coach Jim Saret. Coach Saret.

If burning calories is difficult, gaining them is as easy as putting on a pair of shoes—the combination of a fastfood sandwich, large fries, a cup of ice cream and a large glass of soda is equal to 2,300 calories.

The F.I.T Workout or the Fast Interval Training is a four-minute workout that makes you burn at least 400 calories and continues to burn even when you’re done with the workout! Plus, you don’t have to be a gym buff to enjoy the workout. It doesn’t require much space and equipment. It’s scientific, very visual, designed for non-athletes, with measurable results and it’s easy!

And, if you partner your F.I.T workout with your Fit ‘n Right fruit juice drink, you’ll see faster results for Del Monte Fit ‘N Right contains the breakthrough L-Carnitine that helps burn fat and B Vitamis 1, 6, 12 that help speed up metabolism.

I think most of us complains of gaining weight easy but loosing weight the heaviest task on earth but with that great information above, We (bummers who are sedentary) have HOPE indeed. LOL! With that, I planned to cut down my meals, try out this 4-minute miracle work-out and of course drink Del Monte Fit ‘n Right (I love Fit ‘n Right Four Seasons flavor–Mum gets pissed when we she discovered we consumed her Fit ‘n Right)

But, the F.I.T. Workout is only the beginning. Running is arguably the popular sport these days. Del Monte Fit ‘N Right continues its commitment in promoting a healthy lifestyle with the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right culmination fun run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. Official race call time is at 4 AM and Gun Start is 6AMin front of SM MOA Music Hall.

The 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, among others, through the SM Foundation.

For a registration fee of P300, runners can get their race packet with the Dare to Fit ‘n Right Fun Run singlet, race bib, Fit ‘N Right products, etc. Interested participants can register at the following areas:

• CEMG Office – Unit 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City/ Look for Marianne Tapales (892.5842/09155498282)
• Dare to be Fit ‘n Right booths in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig and in selected SM Hypermarkets: Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA
• Fitness First branches on November 16, 2009.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners from each division will win P10, 000, P5, 000 and P3, 000, respectively. All registered runners will also automatically qualify for the raffle, where they can win a Lenovo laptop.

Registration period is from October 21 to November 16, 2009. Late registrants will be charged additional P100.

Since, I haven’t attended any run for a cause event, my friends and I plans to join this cause because not only we can help but also we can loose those tremendous calories/fats stuck in our bellies. LOL! So see you on the race?:))

Look out for event posters and flyers or visit the Fit ‘n Right Facebook page

The Dare to be Fit ‘n Right is co-presented by SM.

Dare to be fit and right with Del Monte Fit ‘N Right!

Cooking is one chore that a woman needs to know and know how. Well, unfortunately for me, I only mastered cooking Pancit Canton (yeah, really! Ask my family about it. Haha).

I am guilty, Guilty of just LOVING EATING. (Well, who doesn’t right?)

Last October 24, 2009, Doña Elena Cuisinera Club sponsored the first Celebrity Cook –off Challenge held at Annabel’s Restaurant at T. Morato Quezon City. Some bloggers, other media, chefs, and Cuisinera Club loyal members were ale to witness the said event filled with new knowledge and excitement.

The competition was between two teams composed of 1 chef adviser, 2 cuisinera club members, 1 member from the media and 1 celebrity guest. The 2 teams battled in preparing a nutritious and delicious dish/meal using the new Doña Elena Pure Olive oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil as well as other Doña Elena products.

The celebrity quests were Gladys Reyes and Bernadette Allison. Ms. Bernadette Allison’s team won the contest.

Since Doña Elena advocates the use of Olive Oil, I would like to give some “nice-to-know” facts about Olive Oil:

• Pure Olive oil is used for frying or when it involves heating
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best used for fresh food preparation example are salads
• Organic olive oil is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that may protect you against illnesses.
• Protect You from Heart Disease
• Promote Healthy Digestion
• Balance the Fatty Acids in Your Body
• You can re-use the Olive Oil as long as you use it for the same ingredient meaning (fish with fish, chicken with chicken) and with proper storage.

Cuisinera Club aim to encourage and teach cuisineras easy ways on achieving a healthier lifestyle through better nutrition, which can be achieved by using olive oil in their daily cooking. Be member! You can also visit their Facebook account.

Well as for my cooking, GOOD LUCK TO THAT. Hahaha:D

Dessert time becomes unforgettable once again as Red Ribbon introduces a cake that’s sure to leave a deliciously memorable dessert experience…

Bloggers have the chance to taste this outrageously delicious cake from Red Ribbon first hand…

(Well, this was my 1st blogging event together with other mom bloggers, oooppss… don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT A MOM. LOL! I just accompanied my mom since she’s also invited to the said event…)

Red Ribbon said, LET THERE BE LIGHT…

and there was…

THE NEW WHITE FOREST CAKE from RED RIBBON

White Forest cake was inspired by the crowd favorite Black Forest. It is made with 4 super rich ingredients:

• Creamy white chocolate
• Light and Moist White Chiffon Cake
• Real Cherry Bits filing in between layers
• White Chocolate flakes

White Forest is crowned with beautiful cream rosettes with luscious long-stemmed, red maraschino cherries on top. It is also enrobed in and generously finished with white chocolate shavings.

When had the first taste of it, I was delighted with the rich taste of cherries incomparable to other cherry-flavored cakes. You’ll definitely love this new cake perfect for any kind of occasions and is superbly suitable to the Filipino’s sweet tooth.

A lovely way to bond with your family is over a slice of White Forest cake ONLY from Red Ribbon. Visit any Red Ribbon branch today or call 8-77-77 and have it delivered. It is available in Regular (P560.00), Junior (P335.00) and Slice (P56.00) sizes.

Oh, and by the way, we, bloggers had the chance to watch the rough TV Commercial of White Forest which will be aired on September 23 (I think. haha).