Desserts Anyone?

Well, here are the new offerings of Mcdonald's this summer season.  You'll definitely let your taste buds try this desserts and indulge to a sweeter feeling this summer.

With the summer season in full swing, many find themselves craving for something cold or sweet to enjoy after a savory meal. May it be a scoop of one’s favorite ice cream or a slice of an all-time favorite cake, being able to enjoy a delectable treat definitely gives anyone a rush of happiness.

This summer, customers will get to enjoy life’s sweet surprises at McDonald’s with the new Dreamy Decadence desserts. Indulge your sweet tooth with four new mouthwatering flavors of your favorite McDonald’s desserts—the Tiramisu Coke McFloat, Black Forest Coke McFloat, Sans Rival McFlurry and Mango McDip, making for an exciting meal experience!


Delve into the light sweetness of the Tiramisu Coke McFloat, with a hint of coffee, for a heavenly treat right after a delicious McDonald’s meal.




Go for something richer with the Black Forest Coke McFloat, a party in your mouth with every spoonful of hot fudge and cherry-flavored topping.


McDonald’s is also offering the Sans Rival McFlurry, sure to be a hit among fans of the creamy butter cake.


Also available as a Dessert Center exclusive is the Mango McDip, for those on the go but want to give in to a refreshing, fruity treat that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

With the Mango McDip at just Php17, the Tiramisu and Black Forest Coke McFloat flavors starting at Php30, and the Sans Rival McFlurry starting at Php49, McDonald’s continues to surprise customers by offering delectable treats that are both enjoyable and easy on the budget. Other dessert favorites, the regular Coke McFloat and Oreo McFlurry, can still be enjoyed starting at Php25 and Php39, respectively.



Among the desserts what I like most is the Sans Rival McFlurry, it is really sweet and you'll be surprise with the taste, Mcdonald's give some twist that you'll continue to eat without noticing that you finish it already.

 
Hello Milkshake lovers!  Here is a good news for all of you.  Remember that I have featured the Happy Barn Milkshake here already with their opening at Rustan's Supermarket Rockwell Powerplant Mall last September and now in just a few months after, they opened another store. 

The Happy Barn Milkshake Factory opens its third store located at the New Wing of Market! Market! Mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City last November 30, 2013.


The new store has "a shabby-barn' chic look with mismatched chairs, tables and benches designed to look like picket fences.  During the opening lots of people lined up at the store to buy their milkshakes and also to have a look of who's the owner of the establishment.    Of course autograph signing and picture taking was also their interest as I have mention before in my first coverage of the opening Ms. Jodi Sta Maria is one of the owner and who personally serve the customers.


The three owners (Jodi Sta. Maria, Abigail Del Mundo and Janssen Munoz) of Happy Barn Milkshake were busy serving their customer, they looked happy that their opening turn out to be a blockbuster just like the teleserye of Jodi Sta. Maria.


The Happy Barn boasts of their specialty shakes like the Nuts for Choc-nut (Choc nut flavored shake), Nutty Monkey Delight (Banana Nutella) and Salted Caramel Pretzel Surprise (Caramel and salted pretzels, to name a few. The Happy Barn is also proud to be the first to offer the Eggettes. It is a ball waffle that is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside.  The Eggettes can also be customized with different flavors and add-ons to choose from like, Kiddie Kernel Corn (hotdog and corn) and Porky Pork floss (pork floss) the Cheesy Goodness Eggettes is also a must try.

The taste of the Eggettes is very enticing that you can finish one or more than serving of it.  As for me, I like the Kiddie Kernel Corn very much, while the plain Eggettes are liked by my kids, they love to munch it over while watching TV.



"We want to exude the feeling of happiness in our stores. And now, we are giving everyone more reason to "drink happy thoughts" by offering 20% Sugar and Sugar-Free variants in our ice cream. We are also proud to claim that we are the first and only milkshake bar in the country serving Shakes Fortified and Prebiotics. We want to people to drink healthy & happy thoughts!" said Actress Jodi Sta. Maria, one of the owners of the Happy Barn "We are also pleased to announce that everyone who shared this special day with us, is able to "Share Happy Thoughts" to others. We will donate part of today's proceeds to typhoon Yolanda's relief efforts".

And Happy thoughts indeed was felt as The Happy Barn Milkshake Factory opened its third Store.

The Happy Barn Milkshake Factory can also be found at Rustan's Supermarket, Evia, Daang Hari, Las Pinas City and at Rustan's Marketplace, Power Plant Mall, Makati City.

For more information visit their Facebook account: The Happy Barn Milkshake Factory  and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @thehappybarn.

So mommies, if you're near to one of their stores just visit it and let you and your family taste the The Happy Barn Milkshake and "Drink Happy Thoughts" over a bonding moment with your loved ones.

Jodi Sta. Maria as Maya in the teleserye “Be Careful with my Heart” is doing good now and really the story is leveling up. Aside from the Teleserye, Jodi also have her business which named Happy Barn Milkshake Factory.


Last September 8, 2013 she opened her 2nd store located at Rustan's Marketplace, Power Plant Mall.  Her 1st branch is located at Rustan's Supermarket, Evia, Daang Hari, Las Pinas and held its Grand Opening two (2) months ago.


Presents in the store opening are her jodinatics fans, bloggers and her managing partners Abegail Del Mundo and Janssen Muñoz.  All the Managing Partners are really hands on with their business, they really know how to manage and even the operation as well.



It seems that their products are most likely for the kids, the ice cream and the flavorings.  But I think it's also great for moms and dads who are a kid-at-heart.  Hahaha, like me as a mommy I really love the milkshake and I tried their best seller – the Spectacular Cookie Butter Milkshake.  According to one of the store crew it's really a big hit flavour.


Aside from the milkshake they also offer Eggettes – a popular snack in San Francisco, Canada and Hong Kong.  It is a ball waffle that is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside.  Its really good partnered with their milkshake and my kids love it very much.


According to Jodi Sta Maria, they want to provide a happy feeling to everyone who visits their stores with their special offerings like the shakes, eggettes, their baritas (staff) and their store design.  For the info their ice cream is sugar free, 98% fat free and with very low lactose content so this is just for those who have lactose intolerant problem.  Jodi is very proud that they are the first and only milkshake bar in the country serving shakes that is Fortified with Prebiotics to aid digestion and calcium absorption. They partnered with a European company to provide such a healthy benefit to their consumers. “We want people to drink not just happy thoughts, but healthy thoughts as well!' said Actress Jodi Sta. Maria.



So Mommies, try to visit their 2 branches and let you and your kids taste their special milkshake.  They will soon open a branch in Market Market BGC, Taguig City.

For more information visit their facebook account https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyBarnMilkshakeFactory and follow them on their twitter and instagram: @thehappybarn.

Filipinos are known for being friendly.  Friendly in the sense that their friends extends from grade school to college days and even in work.  Reunions, meetings and talk time in cafe and snack bars with friends or barkada brings great memories. 

Remember that I have already featured here in my blog about SIP Farmers Branch.   It is one of the busiest place in Quezon City and plenty of busy individual pass through here and the good news SIP Farmers Branch is busy as well.

This time, I visited their new branch in Makati, their Rada Branch but this branch does not only have SIP but it also have Mondo Juice.  Making visitors to have two options or they can have both.  Mommy Jo and Me were entertained very well by Ms. Jolyn Kui, sister of Jon Kui the President of the company.   Ms. Jolyn talked to us about their cool and comfy place, it is envisioned to be the hippest hangout with their relaxed environment complete with great food and drinks with excellent service. 


"We've put together design elements from both Mondo and SIP to get a balanced feel of the two stores while upgrading the overall interiors at the same time," shares Kui.


Modern light fixtures, smooth wood textures, and high ceilings all work together to create a refreshing drinking experience at the combined Mondo Juice and SIP store. Cream couches and rocking chairs also lend a homey vibe, a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the central business district. With the branch just a stone's throw away from major commercial and residential buildings, yuppies can easily head over for bonding sessions with friends, snack breaks with colleagues or enjoy a personal downtime. The store also offers free Wi-Fi, letting professionals work or connect with friends in an inviting atmosphere.


They have plenty of customers and most of them are Yuppies.  And most of them are girls, why? Perhaps because or the location of the store or maybe because the owner of SIP and Mondo Juice is Jon Kui.  Hahaha!

"Milk teas and fruit smoothies will only continue to become more popular, especially with a lot of young people going on a health kick," says President Jon Kui. "Offering these two together in one place gives tea lovers and smoothie fans more access to enjoy their favorite healthy drinks."


With unique concepts and only the freshest, finest ingredients, Mondo Juice and SIP have gone on to become two of the metro's leading health drink bars, the former for its 100% fruit, all-natural juices and smoothies, the latter for its high-quality steeped milk tea concoctions.


I tried the Perfect Peach and Pulled Pork of Mondo Juice. The perfect peach literally perfect blend of peach, you will taste the refreshing and natural juice of it. While the Pulled Pork, fully loaded of meat in their challah bread whereas they baked it on their own.  Next is the macaroon, this is something different, I love macaroon very much, I tasted some macaroon, this time this is totally different, the taste, the looks and the texture are very new to me.


The Rada branch offers new offerings such as macaroons in chocolate, pistachio, vanilla, coffee, lemon , rose, hazelnut and black sesame flavors. Cheesecake lovers can also delight in the pistachio cheesecake, cheesecake brulee and the tofu cheesecake. For the breakfast crowd, Mondo serves baked egg dishes in bacon and sausage and the pulled pork sandwich made with lean challah bread.


SIP, on the other hand, has the fried brownie and the Milovaltine drink, two items exclusive for the Rada Branch. They also have a new line of drinks called fresh sodas, with lychee's as the bestseller.

I already tasted some of SIP Milk tea last time. This time i rather taste the new one, the White Milk Chocolate Rasberry.  Something new in my taste buds, and of course the all time favorite the Honeycomb Waffle.

Indulge in refreshingly healthy and laidback drinking experience with the newly designed Mondo and SIP store today.

So head on their new store to taste the exclusive product on the said branch and feel the coziness of the store.

Nowadays, most of the Filipinos love teas. There are different kinds of preparing those teas, but most of the Filipino Chinese likes the natural way of preparing teas.

I recently visited the establishment of Thousand Teas at Mezza Residence in Quezon City.  Not a very fond of teas but I was amazed by this and suprisingly, Thousand Teas offers Hot and Cold Teas and in different touch.  I tried to sip some of their teas and one of teas that I adore was their floral teas which give me a different insight on that particular teas.   I find it relaxing and refreshing.  I am used to drinking instant Iced teas but this one is different, it is freshly prepared.

I think this is the first Tea house that mainly offer all kinds of Teas. Even though they are located in nearby universities and as we all know it is seldom that new generations love to drink tea but for Thousand Teas they are targeting these market by offering something new and flavorful like their milk teas.




That day was great because I was able to acquired plenty of information about teas.  Mr. Jim demonstrated to us the different ways of preparing teas. He was able to show us also the exciting blooms of the Jasmine Tea and the Rose Tea which is actually little by little blooming as it sips in the hot and warm water and mixes with the essence of the rolled teas. Aside from the relaxing taste and scent it is also enjoying watching and seeing those tea blooms. Note use a clear glass pitcher when doing this.

Blooming Teas

Tea Set

If you’re a tea lover you’ll definitely enjoy selections and here are some of their offerings Blueberry Milk Tea, Strawberry Pearl Milk Tea, Assam Pearl Milk Tea, Taro Pearl Milk Tea, and more which is really great. Of course they are not just offering teas but also the tasty dishes like the Pasta Carbonara.  I'm not a fan of pasta but I definitely recommend their Pasta Carbonara.  Flavorful!


As their treat for the holiday they are offering a Tea Gift Sets which are great for executive people and of your bosses. I think it’s a simple gesture to remind them of your bonuses for the coming holiday.

So if you’re looking for a modernized tea house the Thousand Teas is the place to be.


G/F Mezza Residences,
Aurora Blvd. Cor Araneta Ave.,
1113 Quezon City, Philippines
(02) 708 3919

Is there any one who is crazy about milk tea?  Well this is great because I just found something to share.  So Mommies out there, you should try the newest trend in the Philippines, the new milk tea in town. There are lots of milk tea establishment here in the metro that you can choose from. And most of their clients/customers  are maybe your sons or daughters, that's why mommy should know the trending drinks nowadays.

Last week I was invited to taste this new milk tea.  Actually I am not a fan of milk tea, but one of my friend, my co-blogger Mommy Josephine Bonsol introduced me this the milk tea, Mommy Jo loves milk tea as far as I know. Since she is the one who introduced me that kind of drinks, she is also the one who pop up on my FB and  invited me to this event and have a taste of this new found concoction of milk tea.

Alright, here is a little background of what is SIP milk tea all about. John Qy the owner of SIP Milk Tea explained a lot about their business and how it came to be, he even shared about the teas that they are using like the black and green tea, most of all what he truly brags about is their process of making their tea which is full of taste.  He further explained that their teas are not brewed but steep, one of the process in making a very good tea and a nice way to lock in the true flavor of teas.


I tried some of their milk tea like the Creamy Cheesecake Milk Tea which is true to what it delivers, creamy and tasty.  I also tried some of their flavors as well so better wait for my product review about it.  I'm sure you'll be enticed more and go crazy craving for it, hahaha.  They got quite a number of flavors to choose from and their staff can offer you as well some of their bestsellers.  Just ask which one is it.

To make it more interesting, John Qy showed us the green and black leaves that they are using in their store. Just like a mentioned earlier, according to him, brewing is not the right process in making tea.  Steeping is for tea making.  They are not on brewing of the tea leaves to avoid bitterness, they want to serve the right blend of tea.

They offer flavored tea, milk tea, the mezteazo the combination of green tea and black tea.  In Addition to really enjoy their products are the things to nibble, there honeycomb waffle which is one of their best seller, Veggie Spring Roll, the Chicken chop and the siomai.  Just the right food to enjoy a flavorful milk tea.

Oh just to entice you more, the Honeycomb waffle is the best food to eat while doing your blogs or of course what ever you doing and guess what, my kids love it too!  While the veggie spring roll, i love it very much the taste of the vegetable, i am not a fond of vegetable but this time i really like it, specially with a vinegar dip. The Chicken chop gives something new to taste, so better visit the store at Farmers Plaza Cubao.  Lastly the fried siomai, you cannot taste or see that oil on or in it, they have the good preparation on this.

So mommies try to be with your teenage son or daughter in SIP Milk Tea, to have some talk, to know the secrets, and to have time with them.  Now it's time for the mommies to trend.

For more information, visit www.idloveasip.com, like their FB Page https://www.facebook.com/sipmilktea and follow them on Twitter @sipmilktea.

A few days ago I got an invite to one of the thirst quencher that is now revolving in the market.  So what is this, it's Tropicana.  It has spurred the hype for coconut water in the Philippines with its new breakthrough drink, Tropicana Coco Quench. 100% fresh and made from real coconut water, Tropicana Cocl Quench is touted as the new, must have drink for health and lifestyle enthusiasts of all ages.

"The upsurge in demand for coconut water us remarkable. This phenomenon has drawn global attention to the Philippines as one of the leading sources of coconut water in the world. Tropicana Coco Quench leverages the expertise of Tropicana to come out with a revolutionary product from locally grown coconuts that addresses the need for bettee and healthier choices for consumers," shares Partho Chakrabarti, president for Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc. PPCPI.

A Hip and Healthier Lifestyle from Tropicana

Tropicana Coco quench brings the natural goodness of coconut water closer to local consumers, infusing "fun" and "freshness" into the lifestyle of Filipinos.  Coconut water is known for containing electrolytes similar to the human plasma, making it naturally hydrating with less sugar and calories.   Coconut water is also a rich source of iron, calcium and magnesium.  It has 4 times higher potassium content than bananas.  The regular drinking of this amazing juice from nature can significantly help reduce food cravings and flush out toxins to boost health and aid in weight loss.  It's the perfect drink for consumers who lead an active lifestyle, like super model Charo Rongquillo who was aptly chosen as the brand ambassador for Tropicana Coco Quench.  A homegrown beauty, Ronquillo has walked the runway at prestigious New York and Paris fashion shows.  She has appeared on the cover of international fashion and beauty editorials like Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and glamour.  Active, healthy and beautiful, Ronquillo embodies the Tropicana Coco Quench lifestyle.

All-natural and Fresh-sealed

Tropicana Coco Quench is the first locally-produced drink with an 8-month shelf life.  It capitalizes on the advanced technology of Tetra Pak packaging to replicate the protection of coconuts.  This allows Tropicana Coco Quench to stay fresh as the real fruit without the need for preservatives and added flavours.  It is also the only drink that utilizes a hip, octagon-shaped packaging for easier grip.  The 330 ml pack comes with a pull-tab mechanism and enables consumers to conveniently drink the coconut water straight from the pack.  This healthy refreshment can be consumed for only Php30.  Perfect for sharing with friends and family, Tropicana Coco Quench is also available in a 1 Litre pack with a reclosable and 100% resealable cap.

PCPPI brings a strong portfolio of exciting beverage products for the Philippine market with the launch of Tropicana coco Quench.  Other brands under PCPPI include Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, and Premier.

About Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. is the exclusive bottler of PepsiCo beverages in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 65 years.  Lotte Chilsung, one of the biggest beverage comapnies in South korea, is the lead shareholder of PCPPI as an independently-listed company and co-manages it with PepsiCo.  PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, and premier.  It has established manufacturing facilities across the country, serving at least 440,000 outlets and providing employment through its extensive distribution network.  PCPPI was awarded "Pepsi Bottler of the year - Asia" in 2006.  To learn more, please visit us at www.pepsiphilippines.com.

Just got a little chit chat with Bo's Coffee Management and it was a great time knowing that there's a locally grown cafe that caters to the needs of coffee drinkers.

Here's some of the details from and also their latest branch at Solenad.

Now on its 16th year of serving Just Roasted Freshness, Bo’s Coffee has come so far from its humble beginnings as a six-table kiosk in Cebu to being one of the country’s most successful coffee brands. With its growing branches nationwide and a loyal community of coffee lovers, Bo’s Coffee is now opening its fifty-sixth (56th) store in the Philippines.

This new branch is nestled right inside the Nuvali community. Nuvali is a destination where people can meet up, go shopping, or just relax. In an avenue where people can embrace nature and savor life, Bo’s Coffee Solenad is definitely a place for quick coffee fixes, meet ups, and unwinding. Customers can enjoy Laguna’s fresh breeze as they sip a cup of brewed coffee, or stroll by the picturesque views of the lake while they drink the sweet concoctions of Froccino Primo.


During its official store launch, Bo’s Coffee Nuvali also offers two latest selections:

1. Biscotti Amaretto as the Summer beverage - Blended coffee with biscotti and Amaretto syrup topped with whipped cream, dark chocolate drizzle and crushed biscotti sprinkles
2. Fillet O’ Dory Cream Sandwich for Lent - Golden brown, crispy breaded cream dory fish fillet with fresh lettuce in tangy tartar sauce

The fifty sixth (56th) branch shows the big difference from the time when the coffee shop culture was not fully grasped. Today, Bo’s Coffee continuously grows with Mr. Benitez’s passion to bring world-class coffee experience to the country. Bo's Coffee looks forward to even more aggressive expansion in the coming years, both locally and abroad.

Well, I'm here again to talk about food.  I love food and I love talking about food, so I love to attend some events about food and what I have attended before was about called the Annual Food and Beverage Expo which was held at Fersal Hotel at Malakas st, Quezon City. That hotel is so memorable to me and to my husband because that place has been part of the very special day of our life, anyway, so much with the memories and let's talk about food this time.



the event was the launching of TRADECON's 5th Annual Philippine International Food and Beverage Expo (PIFBEX) together with the Hotel, Restuarant, and Caterers Expo (HORECA) . It's bound to be a delicious affair as chefs, bartenders, caterers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and other foodies are coming together on March 1 to 4 for the said event.

The PICC Forums 1, 2, and 3 are going full on foodie mode as major players in the Food and Beverage Industry - from the sweetest neighborhood bakery owner to the most luxurious hotelier - converge and explore endless possibilities for their businesses.

Over 300 exhibitors will be present at the expo, including both local and international suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers covering all aspects of the F & B industry, from food service, to food processing and packaging, to catering, to equipment and storage, to ingredients and supplies. For this year TRADECON will be expecting around 12,000 visitors that will visit the event.

Aside from the exhibition, the four-day event will also feature a barter exchange seminar, cooking demos performed by professional chefs, a Dessert Making Competition, Cocktail Mixing Competition, and a search for the best Home Cook. For sure there will be great prizes awaits for every winner of this competition.


Now on its fifth year, PIFBEX has been answering to the needs of the thriving, ever-changing F&B industry, ensuring that the Philippine food scene remains at the top of its game.

For this, TRADECON is inviting all Students, Exhibitors and Visitors to be a part of the PIFBEX and HORECA 2012!

For more information, they can be contacted at 395-5009, 395-5137, 343-3368, they can also be reached through their email at www.tradecon.inc@gmail.com or their website www.pifbex.com or like their facebook page www.facebook.com/PhilippineInternationalFoodandBeverageExpo.