Review of Nely's Kitchen Crabs in Alavar Sauce

A friend of mine was kind enough to send a dish my way 2 weeks ago. When I saw that it was crabs, I was ecstatic but also a little apprehensive. You see, I have been burned before when I got all excited and then found out the hard way that the crab was thinner than a match stick.

This one from Nely's Kitchen proved to be the opposite. Nely's Crabs in Alavar Sauce was just sooooo good. I kid you not. I swear that this is the first time I literally had to stop myself because what I wanted to do was to get the entire rice cooker, pour the sauce in, and then just finish everything in one go.

As much as I wanted to do that, I didn't' because I still wanted to stay alive.

This was actually how it looked when it was delivered.

This dish was so good that it took only 3 of us to wipe it down. UGH.

If you have any crab cravings, I swear, you need to order from Nely. It may not be cheap but it is definitely worth every peso and worth every calorie.

Review of Chocnut Spread

If you grew up in the Philippines during the 80s and 90s, one of the chocolates that you would have munched on would be Chocnut. This was what we would refer to as the poor man's chocolate because taste wise, it wasn't as good as Snickers or Cadbury but it had this distinct chocolatey taste that kids loved.

Sadly, it has become really hard to get a hold of Chocnut lately. This is why when I saw a friend selling Chocnut Spread, I was beyong ecstatic. I immediately ordered, barring my supposed food budget diet because I just really wanted to have a taste of my childhood.

This photo was taken by my partner and I am just in awe of how beautiful the shot was. After we took this photo, I licked the entire spoon and I was in HEAVEN.

Omigod you guys, this is literally chocolate in a bottle and just a bunch of good vibes overflowing. It reminded me of everything good about my childhood and it was just really good feelings all over.

If you can get your hands on this choco peanut spread, please do so. I promise that you will find yourself smiling after having this.

Photos by Mark Balmores

Quarantine Food Hype, is it worth your Money?

During quarantine, half of the people I know became dancers and lipsingers on TikTok. The other half, became bakers. Due to the rise of people cooking and baking, the quarantine food hype became a thing.

First, there was the UBE CHEESE PANDESAL.

I gave it a try and I WAS NOT IMPRESSED. I don't know about you guys but this was just pandesal or bread that was colored purple so it was called ube and the cheese was barely there. I was so disappointed that I didn't even bother taking a photo of it.

Thankfully, a friend of mine saved this food hype for me because he made a LEGIT UBE CHEESE PANDESAL. He's the owner of Theo's Bakeshop and if it wasn't for this bakeshop, I would have said that UBE CHEESE PANDESAL needs to be thrown out.

What I realized is that you need to be careful where you get your food hype from.If you get it from the wrong baker, then it will definitely be just a hype.

Second hype I tried was the BAKED KANI SUSHI.

I ordered one and that was a complete FAILURE. I posted about it and another friend of mine who makes it sent me her creation. This one, I fell in love with. Then another friend sent me her version and the rest is history. If you wanna get legit and worth your money Baked California Roll, Jen is the person you need to reach out to.

I literally have to stop myself from ordering again and again because my budget would just die.

Last of the food hype that I allowed myself to spend on is the BLACK KUTSINTA. This one is a NO GO for me. Just buy the ordinary kutsinta from your street vendor. Cheaper, tastier, and a classic.

This one is just literally a waste of your money.

So there you go. I hope my little guide helps you decide on what you should or should not try.

I heard that the next fad will be something about bibingka and sweets. Are you down for that?

Follow me on IG as HUNGRY KATHY for more drool worthy food posts.

May and June 2020 Recap

Things took quite a turn at the end of May that I was not able to do a recap for that month which is why I'm doing a recap for both May and June.

May was full of drama. I think that's a big understatement.

We celebrated the most stressful Mother's Day and what I think may be the last Mother's Day that I'll be celebrating with my Mom for a while. Things are in such a limbo that for the time being, it's best that we don't see or speak to each other.

I'll focus on my own small family while she focuses on the child that she has chosen for now. As she has said many times over, we're dead to her now. It hurts but I guess it has to happen. Now, I will just think of my own family and making things better for us especially my kids.

Thankfully, I have learned lessons from negative people and from people who hoard and I am applying it to my own home. Our living room is very spacious because we made sure that we didn't put too many stuff in it. The only addition I have done to this photo is a small carpet that I placed in the middle so that the floor wouldn't look too bare.

As for the office section, I've gotten rid of the bookshelf on the left side and I'm hoping that I'll be able to change my table into this one that I saw.

I want something similar but more of a four seater. I'll add a monsterra plant on the side and a lamp to make it more cozy.

Not being able to really say goodbye was hard. It was confusing because I felt like we won't be seeing each other for a long time but the way things were cut was just so abrupt and crazy.

However, as mentioned, my focus now is my own family. This is my family now and they are my first priority in everything.

We've actually started a small business of selling eggs and other food items to supplement our bills. Hard times call for other measures so this is something that we got into. I feel proud actually.

I still journal and use my planner. I think everyone should. It helps to remind you that though life seem to have stopped, life goes on.

I was able to write an article where I shared the 5 Tools that I Use as a Blogger and from this, some projects came my way.

I created two new Instagram accounts, one meant for food aptly named Hungry Kathy and one for my arts named ArtsyKathyKenny.

May was about goodbye and June was new beginnings. I hope that July will be the start of something great for us all and for quieter times. Right now, all I really want is for my family to be safe, healthy, and at peace. I think that's not too much to ask.

Colgate Baby and Kids Free From Toothpaste

If you're a Mom like me, you know that getting the right toothbrush and toothpaste for baby is very important. It's important because it will set the tone for their oral hygiene and it matters because we don't want to traumatize our baby the first time they get to brush their teeny tiny pearly whites. We also don't want them to swallow the toothpaste but we know that this will definitely happen.

With Khali, I wanna make sure that he will enjoy his first bout with a toothpaste and toothbrush. This is why I chose Colgate Baby and Kids Free from Toothpaste.

This has no artificial flavoring or preservatives so it's safe in case baby swallowsthe toothpaste. The toothbrush itself also serves as a teether.

The Baby Toothpaste is Fluoride-free, 0% artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, and colors.

The Baby Toothbrush is BPA-Free, 100% Food Grade Silicone, that acts as a teether which Khali will definitely love as he is now on that stage where he eats anything he can get his hands on.

The best part? You can get the Colgate Baby Toothbrush, Colgate Free From 0-2 Toothpaste, and the Colgate Free From 3-5 Toothpaste from Shopee. No need to leave the house, just download the Shopee App from Google Play or the App Store.

BIG discounts on Mentos Products via Shopee on July 14

Staying fresh has never been this easy and affordable. On July 14, Mentos will be having a sale via their online shop on Shopee so you can hoard as many Mentos products as you want.

Mentos has 4 items that are going to be on sale.

1. Mentos Sugarfree Mints 2 Tins with FREE Soda Kick Roll

Regular Price is currently at Php146 while the discounted price will be at Php124.

2. Mentos Sugarfree Gums 2 Bottles with FREE Soda Kick Roll

Regular Price at Php 86; Discounted Price at Php 64

3. Mentos Soda Kick Roll - 4 pcs

This will be at 50% off.

4. Mentos Soda Kick Roll at 50% OFF (single roll)

My family and I are very excited to get our hands on this. It's also an added treat because the 14th of July is B's birthday so this will be an added gift because B loves the strawberry flavor of the Soda Kick.

Mentos is one of those brands that I grew up with and I'm glad that my son gets to enjoy these as well. Stay fresh. Stay connected with Mentos.

Download the Shopee app on Google Play and App Store so you can stay fresh and stay connected all the time with Mentos.

Don't miss the Havaianas Slippers Best Sale Ever on Shopee!

One of the things that most people often overlook are slippers. Slippers are very important because they are our companion when we are walking or even when we're just relaxing at home. They matter and they need to be comfortable which is why I prefer Havaianas.

Havaianas comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and silhouettes which is perfect for Moms like me because I have too many hats to play and I need a wide array of choices. Recognized all over the world, Havaianas take you from beach to street, and can be worn confidently on any occasion, with almost any outfit.

The flip-flops can be worn all day long without sacrificing comfort and quality. More than just flip-flops, Havaianas is about experiencing life more colorfully, with confidence, and unabashed self expression.

Since we're still not able to go out, I'm just really glad that Havaianas has an official shop on Shopee and I can purchase my favorite flip flops online. The best part is this 7.7, I can get up to 40% and even avail of FREE SHIPPING. Now that's a lot of pesoses saved.

On my list would be the Pastel Pink slippers, the Purple one, and the Mickey Mouse because it's too cute! Make sure to dowload Shopee app on Google Play or App store so you can get your hands on these goodies too.

Hodai Resto PH offers Family Set

If you still don't know what to get Dad this Father's Day, fret no more. Hodai is currently offering a discounted rate for the Family Set of samgyupsal.

Hodai understands that Father's deserve the best and Mother's at times just don't have the energy to cook and prep meals. This way, everyone wins. The Dads get an awesome meal while the Moms can sit back and enjoy as well.

This is what you can expect.

I think that for the price, this is more than enough. It's filling and definitely a win for any Dad's stomach. I can't wait to try this out myself.

Fat Ninja Frozen Katsu

Sometimes, you just want a hot bowl of rice, katsudon on top, and your favorite sauce to cap a really stressful day. We may not be going to the office but there's still a lot of things that can stress a Momma at home and we all deserve a break from the kitchen now and then but still be able to provide a hearty meal for our family.

So, what's a Mom gotta do? Order Frozen Katsu of course.

I've heard about Fat Ninja and a few friends recommended it. I was initially apprehensive because I am super fond of my Katsudon. However, I bit the bullet and finally gave it a go.

This one is so easy to cook. You can literally take it out of the packaging and just deep fry.

Make sure that the katsu is really immersed and do this for 8 minutes under low heat.

It should look like this.

I love that they also have the two different sauce for rice and the meat.

I am so happy with this. It felt like I was eating at my favorite Japanese restaurant. LEGIT! Definitely making this a part of my monthly budget.

You can order from them by clicking on the links below.

Fat Ninja

Facebook Page

Fat Ninja Easy Fry Katsu 295
Sauce 180

Photos by Captured by Mark Balmores

Get some MOMMALOVE® Lactation Milk Drink with Malunggay from Shopee

Father's Day may be looming but it's the Moms that are getting some love this Friday, June 19, with 15% on select MommaLove items from Shopee. As we all know, any type of deal that will allow us Moms to save up on our budget is something that we welcome with open arms.

Mom's will always find a way to give the best to their kids. This is why we are picky with the brands we buy and the things that we allow our kids to consume. We want the best quality but we also need to be mindful of the budget. Thankfully, there's no need to compromise when we have products from Nestle.

For breastfeeding Moms, MOMMALOVE® is a definite hit. The fact that it tastes good matters too. When you're a little human's food source, it's important that you enjoy your food and drink intake as well.

MOMMALOVE® is lactation milk with malunggay and as we all know, malunggay is a superfood. Its tiny leaves  contain calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, chlorophyl, polyphenol, vitamins C, A, B and B2, and the amino acids, arginine and histidine.

Its leaves increase breast milk production in lactating mothers which is why MOMMALOVE® is your ally in ensuring that you are able to provide enough breast milk for your little one.

MOMMALOVE® believes that a healthy and happy baby starts with a healthy and happy momma. Every drink of MOMMALOVE® guarantees the seal of quality that NESTLÉ has delivered to generations of Filipino families over the years.

You can get all these products on the official store of Nestle on Shopee. Make sure that you download the Shopee app from the App Store or Google Play so you can take advantage of these deals.

First Impressions of the Velvetint by Coloroutte

Anyone who knows me knows that I love lipsticks. I used to have 348 pieces but since I am learning more about moderate minimalism, I have actually cut it down to less than 20. Now, the lipstick gods have blessed me with 12 new liquid lipsticks from Velvetints by Colourette. I am more than excited to share with you if it's worth your money and worth a space on your beauty drawers.

Velvetint by Coloroutte claims to have intensely pigmented formula which dries down from a velvet to powder matte finish. They say that this foolproof tint works 3 ways: eyes, cheeks, and lips — and stays all day while remaining comfy on skin.

It now comes in 12 colors that are universally flattering on a morena. The first 3 is the original which are: RSVP, Rose, and Birthday Cake.

The next are the 9 new colors. After Party, Toast, PreGame, Confetti, Plus One.

Stiletto, Bubbly, Soiree, Debutante.

I decided to go ahead and film myself putting it on and I must say that first impressions wise, I was actually impressed.

When I put on the lippie, it glided smoothly. It did go from velvety to powder matte finish in less than 30 seconds which was pretty impressive. It's been 3 hours since I put it on as I'm typing this and it's still doing well. I've eaten chips and drank but it's stayed.

I also tried it on my eyes, cheeks, and lips. On my lips is Bubbly, on my cheeks is Debutante, and on my lids is RSVP. Easy to blend and fix, smooth transiton, and it looks natural on my skin which I really love.

Here are the swatches. Bottom to top: After Party, Toast, PreGame, Confetti, RSVP, Plus One, Stiletto, Rose, Birthday Cake, Bubbly, Soiree, Debutante.

Each liquid lipstick contains 3.5ml of lippie and retails for Php349 each. You can buy them from the Colourette Official Store in Shopee.

Verdict: On first impressions, I would definitely say that they passed. I think that for Php349, this liquid lipstick is worth every peso and deserves a space in any Filipina's beauty drawer. If you are looking for something that is flexible, blendable, and easy to mix and match, this line of Velvetints from Coloroutte may just be the one for you.

Things You Need to Know About Diamond Painting

A lot of people are finally getting into diamond painting. I blame it on the whole quarantine thing. Since people are stuck at home, a lot of them found ways to be more productive or while away time.

I've been doing diamond painting for about 4 years now. I've done a lot of projects and was even able to send a Tiger project to my cousin in UK. For a lot of people, diamond painting is something that soothes their mental health because of the repetitive motion.

For those who are new, it can be a little bit overwhelming and a little intimidating which is why I am sharing a lit of things you need to know about diamond painting.

1. Patience is a virtue.

When you do diamond painting, patience is definitely a must. You need to add the beads one by one on a canvass and it's almost impossible to finish one piece overnight unless it's really small or you have nothing else to do.

2. LED Lights

One of the questions often asked is if you need to buy a LED Light. For me, it's a yes because I have bad eyesight. Also, there are patterns with crazy symbols that all look the same. LED Lights also help with reducing eye strain.

However, it is not imperative. You can also use a desk lamp if you don't have the budget for a LED light yet.

3. Tweezers vs Drill Pen

Some people will prefer tweezers while others would prefer a drill pen. Choose the one that's comfortable for you.

PRO-TIP: If you are into square beads, tweezers are best in aligning beads.

4. Start with a small canvas.

It's exciting to just go big but since this is your first time, start off with a letter sized canvas then work your way up. This was, you won't feel burnt out. I started doing diamond paintings 4 years ago and it was all big canvasses. I am enjoying the small ones now.

5. The more details in your design, the bigger your canvas needs to be. If you are doing something like Disney characters all in one page, make sure that your canvass is at least 25 inches wide. This way, you will see all the pertinent details.

6. Seal it with a Kiss.

Or use MOD PODGE or PRIMERO CLEAR to seal your finished product. This is a work of art which needs to be protected so sealing is recommended for me.

7. Stock up but don't overstock.

You will end up getting addicted so ordering around 3-5 pcs is a good idea. However, do not flood yourself and order more than 10 in one go. Sometimes, you may experience DP fatigue and find yourself not wanting to do it so make sure that there's not a huge influx in your home.

A few pieces lying around is good so that you don't run out but too much of anything is bad.

8. There is an online community for diamond painting. Here's my group but there's also other groups. Choose the ones that fit your personality and culture.

9. When buying online, always read if it's partia or full beads. Partial means there are only certain areas that will be covered by the beads and full means the entire design is made of beads.

10. Sizing. It is almost always in cm so learn to convert to inches so you have an idea of how big your kit will be.

For more tips, you can also click this to watch my video on things you need to know about diamond painting.

5 Things you need to know about JuanLife Personal Accident Insurance

Insurance has always been a delicate topic. Some people don't want to hear it, some people are clueless, while others want to know everything they can because they understand that it matters.

For those who are clueless and want to learn more, here are 5 things that you need to know about the JuanLife Personal Accident Insurance and why you'd be crazy to not get one.

Seriously.

1. JuanLife Personal Accident Insurance costs less than a fancy meal. They offer two choices: Php300 and Php500 GOOD FOR A YEAR.

When you purchase the Php300 Insurance card and activate it via mobile or website, you are covered for the following for a year from date of activation.

When you purchase the Php500 Insurance card and activate it via mobile or website, you are covered for the following for a year from date of activation. 

2. If you are a Filipino citizen aged 7 to 60 years old, you can get a JuanLife Personal Accident Insurance. Even if you are living abroad, as long as you remain a Filipino citizen, you are qualified to avail of this.

3. JuanLife is not a life insurance. It is a personal accident insurance. This means that if you get into an accident and die from it, your beneficiaries will be paid the accidental death amount. If you get into an accident and become a person with disability, you can also claim the benefit.

4. People with hazardous jobs can avail of the JuanLife personal accident insurance. People who ride the motorcycle daily are also qualified.

5. You can easily avail of the JuanLife personal accident insurance. You don't even need to leave the comfort of your home. You can do it by clicking here.

Stay tuned on this blog and on my vlog for more information about JuanLife. I'll be doing a series on them because I strongly believe that every Filipino aged 7 to 60 years old should have this.

Seriously.

Tipid Hacks from a Wais Momma

Every peso counts.

Every peso you get to stretch matters.

Every peso you put aside in savings matter too.

This is why I've decided to share with you some tipid hacks that I have been doing which has helped me survive being a single Mom for almost 12 years.

1. Batch Cooking

When you cook, make sure that you do it in batches. You can then freeze the other portions and then simply reheat when it's time to eat it. This way, you save up on time, energy, and gasoline.

The more times you need to cook, the more time you need to allot and the more gasoline you need to use.

2. Have a list, stick to it.

When you do your groceries, make sure that you buy things good for one month. Aside from exposing yourself unnecessarily to the virus when you go out, you also waste money on gas, fare, or even your energy if you go out week after week.

Doing you grocery once a month saves up a lot of time and makes it easier to track which items are being used wastefully and which items you don't need to buy again because there's still a lot left.

Having a list also guarantees that you won't buy things that are not a necessity.

3. Use quality items.

Quality items may sound more expensive than low rate ones but there's a reason for that. Quality items last longer which means you won't need to keep buying.

This is also true for diapers. I've tested so many different ones on my son Khali and with the cheaper diapers, I had to keep changing every 2 hours. With Pampers, I changed his diapers every 6-8 hours, sometimes even 10 hours especially when he's sound asleep at night. This means that I get to save a lot more money with a quality diaper than with a cheap one.

4. Apply the 3 month rule

When you want to buy something that is not really a necessity, apply the three month rule. Hold off on buying it for at least 3 months. If after 3 months you still want to make that purchase, then you can go ahead and do so. Just make sure that in the 3 months leading up to it, you're also saving for the cost that it will take.

5. Unplug

Something that almost all of us fail to do is to completely unplug devices and appliances. A plugged but turned off appliance will still run at 25%. This means we are paying for electricity that we're not really using. Unplugging not only guarantees less electric bill, it also safeguards us from potential fire.

These are things that I have been doing for the last 12 years as a single Mom. Which one did you like best?

Celebrate your Independence with a Vivo phone suited to your Budget from Shopee

If you're fond of taking selfies and groufies, the Vivo phone is the one for you. Vivo phones are popular for taking the best selfies. The beautification mode is spot on which encourages people to keep snapping away.

On the Vivo Official Store found on Shopee, there are 3 phones that won't hurt your pocket but will definitely guarantee that you deliver IG worthy photos at every angle.

All these phones are more than enough to meet the basic demands of an average user. If you just need a phone to perform basic functions, photos, and video taking. It's definitely bang for buck and worthy of every peso you will spend.

Vivo Y11 3GB+32GB 5000mAh 8MP/13MP+2MP Dual Rear Camera Fingerprint Scanning Smart Phone

Vivo Y15 4GB+64GB 5000mAh 16MP/13MP+8MP+2MP Rear Camera with Super Wide Angle Smart Phone

Vivo Y19 4GB+128GB 5000mAh 16MP/16MP+8MP+2MP Rear Camera 6.53inch FHD Fast Charging Smart Phone

Download the Shopee App on your phone from the App Store or Google Play to get your hands on these deals from Vivo and Shopee.