My First Thanksgiving (and Black Friday) Experience

It was my first time to experience Thanksgiving and Black Friday here in the US and it sure was TIRING.

Unlike the Philippines, most parts of the US do not celebrate Christmas the way Pinoys do. I think the only place in America that feels just like the bright Manila is New York. But I'm in California, 6 hours away from the Big Apple. Then again, they also have something quite similar to our Christmas where relatives come over to share a feast and that's Thanksgiving.

Foodie Alert: Butterbeer Frappuccino?!?

Harry Potter has been known as a  series of books and movies people of all ages enjoyed. My sister for one got instantly hooked to the movie adaptation when we were in a Harry Potter crash course appreciation program just so we could truly enjoy Universal Studios. Unfortunately, I wasn't converted into a muggle. But I do remember enjoying the 4D ride and the drink they call... Butterbeer.

Oh butterbeer! The last time I got to taste you was way back in 2011 and I miss you so much! I dream of the sweet taste, the little foam, the delectable aroma.

But great news! Starbucks is finally offering butterbeer. Well, sort of.

Image from Hypable.com

Thanks to Starbucks Holiday drinks, we can now request butterbeer from our friendly baristas. Just tell them these:

My First Bite: The Boiling Crab

I was planning to have dinner at The Boiling Crab last year but we ended up at The Shack due to the long line and grumpy tummies. Fortunately, my trip this year finally was able to fit in eating at this famous seafood place. 

There's still a line! I guess it cannot be avoided if the establishment is popular. It took us around 20 minutes to get a table. While waiting, we roamed around Little Vietnam. (It's so cool here as every country seems to have their own little neighborhood.) 

It's interesting that we cannot be seated until the server sees the whole party. I reserved a table for 4 and since we were all having fun looking at the different stuff available in Little Vietnam, we lost track of time. But luck was with us as we were able to keep our table.

Packed. 

The place was filled with people wearing bibs (which is probably one of the few places where adults wearing bibs are perfectly acceptable). 

YUMMY EATS 2013 COUNTDOWN: 10 days to go!

I am so excited to taste again the yummy goodies of the concessionaires Yummy rounded up this year. Yummy favorites such as Mochiko, Simply Pie, Gold Leaf, Spring by Ha Yuan and more will be there to join the fun along with new great picks!

 With 10 days to go, let me share with you my top 10 reasons why you should be there too!

1. It's on a Saturday, meaning no work which also means "free" day.
2. There are lots of fun activities, cooking demos, and cook-offs to enjoy!
3. Some concessionaires will launch their newest offerings on Yummy Eats.
4. If you love Yummy magazine, this is your chance to complete your collection! Yes, the Yummy store will be there! Buy some limited edition merchandise too.
   
   
5. This event is a great way to bond with your family, friends, or even your crush!
6. It's just PHP200 to get in!
7. You might be lucky and spot some celebrities munching! Have your cameras ready!
8. The hard to find home bakers who sell yummy goodies are here! No need to search the internet and call them.
9. If you're a foodie, you just have to be here. The reaction, "Hmmm... never heard!" is unthinkable! So be ahead and boast to your friends that you are the group's I-know-all-the-yummy-dishes guy/gal.
10. There will be 56 concessionaires this year sampling their bestselling products. If this isn't enough... well, you will miss one amazing event. 

 

And guess what? Yummy Eats 2013 is now techie! You may buy your tickets online as early as today. Visit www.yummy.ph/yummyeats now! :)

YUMMY EATS 2013 COUNTDOWN: 19 days to go!

It’s the time of the year again when we get to discover great dishes and meet amazing food entrepreneurs with crazily creative ideas on how to turn simple dishes extraordinary. Yes, it’s Yummy Eats time again!

We were lucky to get first hand dibs on the products the concessionaires will sample. With over 50 concessionaires, we had a hard time focusing on which products to try first. But here’s a teaser of what to expect on the 18^th of May at the NBC Tent.

Pio’s Paella offers classic and black paella. The clams and shrimps used were undeniably fresh. Every spoonful is oozing with flavors.

Baby Pat Breads and Pastries offers usual ensaymadas and your not so usual ones. With the craze of Speculoos, they now have Speculoos ensaymada! You must taste that!

 

Love cheesecakes? Food Lab will be selling their rich cheesecakes and will sample it too! Try it with their cookies for added crunch!

Or how about bacon? Mad Meats Bacon will be serving its bacon slabs while The Kitchen Slave will have its Smocked Bacon Caramels available. 

Save the Date: Good Housekeeping Family Fun Run 2013

New Year’s Resolution #1: Get fit. I somehow checked it last January when I signed up for yoga. I also “tried” to avoid snacks and soda. But come my favorite month, the month of love (hey, it’s also because I’m a February celebrant), the motivation disappeared. This will change though soon as I can’t wait to join one fun event this coming April!

Cute dogs! Fun activities! Great food! Where can you find all in one venue? 

In Good Housekeeping Family Fun Run of course!

Happening this April 6, 2013 at the 34th St. corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, expect a lot of huggable dogs, sporty kids, and activities the whole family will enjoy. There will also be food concessionaires during the event worth trying. Kids will have a blast as this time, K-Zone and Total Girl (aside from Good Dog) are on board as well!

2013 Resolution #1: Get fit!

I'm excited and this time it's not even about food! 2013 started weird. 

It all started with a talk on fitness and ended with me feeling "flabby as a jelly". Fitness, you will be MINE this 2013.

So right after lunch (yes, right after having a hearty meal), I decided to call Urban Ashram Manila and inquire. But of course I did a bit of homework before calling. It's more of verifying the following:

-The very enticing 15-Day Unlimited Pass for only PHP1000!
-Available yoga mats for absolute beginners (as I do not want to invest in a PHP3000 mat if I won't be dedicated to yoga)
-Best yoga class for a beginner like me
-Soonest possible time I could start attending