Healthy Options All-Natural Summer Beauty Travel Essentials #KnowTheWholeStory

Sun's up! Summer is finally here! And what better way to enjoy the summer, than to travel and go on a vacation! After visiting Japan, China, and Korea, this time, I'm finally heading to the west! I'll be gone for 3 weeks, but you can still follow my travel adventures on Instagram @itsberyllicious. 

Just in time before I leave, I received a surprise delivery from Healthy Options.

Healthy Options is a one-stop-shop for healthy, organic, and all-natural products. We're no strangers to Healthy Options' wide variety of healthy snacks and other food products, but this delivery is all about their beauty and personal care product line. 

As much as I wanted to get a bag of some delicious goodies, I was very curious about Healthy Options' all-natural summer beauty travel essentials. 

The scent of Blackberry and Coconut Milk filled the air as I opened the bag. 

Inside were samples of Giovanni Cosmetics' Eco Chic Hair Care line- 2Chic Repairing Collection.

US Potato Vegetarian Poutine Recipe- Go Healthy & Nutritious This Lenten Season

There are several misconceptions about US potatoes being unhealthy and high in calories. "US potatoes will make your thighs bigger.", "US potatoes are high in carbohydrates that will eventually make you gain weight.", "Eating US potatoes have no nutritional value hence they are just empty calories." These are just some of the myths we commonly hear from other people when talking about US Potatoes.

Contrary to these beliefs, US Potatoes are in fact one of the healthiest and most nutritious types of food. US Potatoes, when prepared and cooked properly, can offer a lot of health benefits to the body.

In this post, I'll be sharing a simple and healthy US Potato recipe, while discussing more about the nutritional facts of US Potatoes.

This recipe was inspired by our cook-off award-winning dish at the US Potato Safari 3 in Davao.

Bai's Boneless Lechon Cebu: Crackling Pork Belly Goodness in Alabang- Ato Ni Bai!

The festive yuletide holidays may be long over, but that doesn't mean we can no longer enjoy the much-anticipated food on every Pinoy feast or gathering. The famous roasted pig of the Philippines, is probably one of the most sought-after dish in the country, both by locals and tourists. Holiday or not, we crave and give in to this glorious roasted pork dish that is Lechon.

Last week, I was introduced to Bai's Boneless Lechon when I received this box of happiness.

With Cebu being the lechon capital of the Philippines, it wasn't a surprise when internationally acclaimed chef, foodie and traveler Anthony Bourdain, dubbed cebu lechon as the "best pig ever".

However, as much as we want to enjoy a little piece of Cebu lechon heaven, traveling all the way to Cebu is just too impractical. Unless you have relatives from the Queen City of the South who can bring you some on a regular basis, then you'll just have to suffice yourself with the classic lechon from Manila.

Good thing I don't have to travel far just to get my hands on this glorious and heavenly crackling porchetta. You'll be happy to learn that Bai's Boneless Lechon Cebu is just located in Alabang, and delivers to most parts of Metro Manila.

Ching Kee Beef Noodles and Shrimp Wontons- Homestyle Noodle House in Banawe

Our regular weekday night normally involves driving along Banawe, scouting for new restaurants to try. This may sound costly to do on a regular basis, but we do our best to look for affordable places to eat without hurting our pockets. While we have our go-to restaurants for our usual quick fix dinners, we are always on the lookout for new and affordable eats. 

So when we saw this small noodle house with a red signage called Ching Kee Beef Noodles in Banawe, we decided to check what it has to offer. 

Thai Original BBQ & Restaurant L.A. to Manila: Family-Style House Specials in BGC

Thai Original BBQ is a franchise that originated in Los Angeles, California back in 1978. The two founders, Pat and Tammy Ngamari, wanted to introduce the flavors of the East, to the growing number of foodies in the US, hence, they came up with an original bbq concept, that will showcase the playful and complex flavors of Thai cuisine.

Now, Mr. George Pua, president of No Limits Food Inc., the same group behind Tony Roma's, Ogawa Traditional Japanese Restaurant, Modern Sichuan, KPub Bbq, and Oppa Chicken, brings that sought after flavors of Thai Original BBQ to Manila.

Located at The Fort Entertainment Complex in BGC, Thai BBQ opened its doors last November and has recently been awarded as Thai Select for authentic Thai cuisine by the Ministry of Commerce Thailand.

Few months after its opening, we were invited to try some of Thai BBQ's key dishes and House Specials.

Aside from the restaurant's best-selling classic dishes such as the Green Papaya Salad, Yum Pla Dook Foo or Catfish Salad, Tom Yum Goong, Thai Curry, Pad Thai, Pineapple and Bagoong Fried Rice, Thai BBQ is also known for its House Specials that are generous in servings and ideal for big groups and families.

Tom Yum Goong

Jack 'n Jill Calbee Honey Butter Potato Chips- The Newest Asian Craze!

Move over salted egg chips, there's a newest craze in town, as Jack 'n Jill Calbee brings in the latest snack innovation from Japan- the Honey Butter Potato Chips. 

Since 2014, Honey Butter has been flying off the shelves of stores in Japan and Korea. Finally, the sought-after flavor has finally come to Philippine shores!

Char Casual Dining- Cantonese Roasts from Singapore in Uptown Parade, BGC

After our Namoo House experience, we've been eager to try other restaurants located in Uptown Parade near Uptown Place Mall in BGC. But since we don't frequent BGC as much as we did before, the plan was immediately pushed aside. Fortunately, the recent Gourmand Market gave us a reason to visit the Fort area since D's brother joined as one of the concessionaires.

After going around the restaurants, we ended up at Char Casual Dining located at the second level. 

The name doesn't remind me of a particular cuisine, but from the sound of it, I thought it should be serving grilled, savory, and aromatic dishes. Turned out, Char Casual Dining is a franchise from Singapore that specializes in Cantonese roast meats. Since we were quite famished after coming from an archery session in Kodanda Archery Range in Eastwood, we thought of ordering some of Char's best-sellers.

Yo! Panda- Quick Bites and Savory Asian Delights in SM Megamall

We were strolling around SM Megamall when we caught sight of a hipster panda with afro hair and cool sunnies. Yo! Panda occupies a small corner space at the 4th level of Mega A near the escalators, so it is hard to miss the spot.

While it seemed most diners were ordering desserts, particularly Yo! Panda's Hong Kong-style Bubble Waffle Gelato, we were keen on trying some of their savory dishes. 

We weren't really hungry so we ordered only a few interesting dishes. First was the Shrimp & Cheese Balls (P290) which were deep fried crunchy shrimp balls, topped with pork floss and served with sweet soy and Japanese mayo. 

Canton Road- A Journey of Modern Cantonese Delights in Shangrila at the Fort

Many times in my life, I’ve taken the high road, the crossroad, and the road less traveled by. But one of my best travels recently was a gastronomic journey to Canton Road.

Canton Road is the in-house Chinese restaurant of Shangri-la at the Fort in BGC. The fine-dining restaurant specializes in contemporary Cantonese cuisine that takes traditional dishes to a whole new level. Inspired by the mild and sweet flavors of Huaiyang cuisine, Canton Road offers a refreshing take on the usual bold and rich flavors of Chinese-style cooking.

I was invited to a lunch preview of Canton Road's new menu, and for someone who loves Chinese food, I just couldn't say no. Add the fact that one of my favorite Chinese food is dimsum, which apparently was made popular by the Cantonese in Southern China.

Our feast started with a Huaiyang Appetizer Combination featuring 4 kinds of cold cuts:
Garlic Tossed Dried Bean Curd, Spicy Green Papaya and Pomelo Salad, Chilled Cherry Tomato infused in Osmanthus Sauce, 24-hr Marinated Salted Duck.

Mati's Meat and Bread- Wagyu Steak Night at the Venice Grand Canal, McKinley Hill

Once in while, we deserve to indulge in some good 'ol steak, and treat ourselves with some premium meat goodness that is Wagyu. Wagyu, as we all know, is quite a luxurious choice of beef, with its intense marbling and high quality meat. While a regular working class like me couldn't afford to enjoy wagyu steaks too often due to its hefty price tag, I'm glad I was introduced to Mati's Meat and Bread for their affordable steak options.

Mati's Meat and Bread comes from the same family who owns Melo's and House of Wagyu. That being said, you'll know that you're in good hands, and stepping inside Mati's won't be a one big missed-steak.

We visited their newest branch at the Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill to try their new wagyu specials. I've heard about Mati's Meat and Bread in Filinvest before, but since the first branch is quite far from our place, we never had the chance to try it out.

Our meal started with an appetizer of Mama's Buffalo Wings (P380) which was a different take on the classic buffalo recipe usually marinated in hot sauce. Mati's version came in a honey-glazed version with a sweet and buttery taste.

Gigi Gaerlan Custaroons- Delectable Sweets Match Made in Heaven ♥

It's been years since Gigi's Custaroons rose to fame with its signature product, the Custaroon- a smooth and creamy custard flan, topped with a chewy and buttery crust of coconut macaroon. Truly a match made in heaven, that could make someone like me, who doesn't even like coconut, indulge in this heavenly piece.