If you travel abroad, one of the problems you will encounter after you arrive at your destination is jet lag, especially if the trip is more than 10 hours and you’re in a different time zone.   Take the case of the United States in North America.  It is in the other half of the globe. On my recent trip – from Manila to New York – the non-stop travel time was 17 hours. I left Manila at broad daylight and arrived in New York by midnight on the same day.   As much as I want to sleep, I cannot do so. Even if I hadn’t drunk alcohol during the flight, I was feeling somewhat groggy af ..read more

Although airline travel is very common, there will always be a first time traveler who isn’t sure what to expect and sometimes what health issues or matters there are to consider. Airline travel is generally safe for the majority of passengers, but there are some health hazards associated with long flights that individuals should be aware of.  Here are some common health concerns and tips on how to avoid them: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):  Risk: Long periods of inactivity during flights can increase the risk of blood clots, particularly in the legs. Prevention: Stay hydrated, move a ..read more

A new wave of professionals is boldly redefining the concept of work-life balance, forsaking traditional office cubicles for exotic locales like beachside cafes in Bali or bustling squares in Barcelona. This cultural shift goes far beyond a mere change of scenery; it signifies a profound transformation, as work and life become inseparable. Consequently, the hospitality sector is undergoing a remarkable metamorphosis. Hotels, once regarded merely as brief stopovers, are now evolving into spaces designed not just for relaxation but for productivity and networking, encapsulating the shift from t ..read more

Emulsify - This is the act of mixing two or more ingredients together that are generally difficult to mix. For example, combining something oil based and water based together can be difficult since they naturally separate but it is not impossible. A third ingredient or something extra will be added to help join up the two ingredients; these are called emulsifiers. Some examples of emulsifiers are cheese, honey, and butter. Emulsifying can be done with a whisk by hand or in a blender or food processor.  Émincer - This is a French word which means to ‘slice thinly’. This method of slicing ..read more

As summer is fast approaching, the outdoor events all over the metro are now in full swing. One of the events lined up on my calendar for March was the Manila Gin Festival. Having attended the previous event in 2023, I was curious to see what changes and improvements were made to this year’s event. Let’s take a look at what unfolded during this two day event.  The first thing I’d like to point out is that the location has not changed which is great. BGC Highstreet is a great place for an event like this. Not only is it convenient to reach but it is surrounded by some great restaurants a ..read more

In part one we covered tablecloths, placemats, plates, and napkins as well as how to interject some color or texture through those items. This time around we’ll be covering the rest of the elements such as glasses and centerpieces. There are also some tips at the end on how to elevate your tablescape! When it comes to the glasses you can also have fun with this or keep it simple if that’s your style. Although it’s true that you can never go wrong with good quality clear glasses, there is something quite fun about having colored glasses. If you don’t want to go too crazy with it you may chang ..read more

Ingredients: Strawberries Brown sugar Vanilla extract Milk  Sago Directions for the sago: Boil some water in a saucepan.  Once the water is boiling add in the sago. Stir it often until the sago looks translucent.  Make sure most of the sago is translucent and cooked evenly. Drain it with a sieve and rinse it with cold water. Directions for the strawberry mixture: Take your strawberries (fresh or frozen) and add them to a blender. If using frozen make sure it has had some time to thaw out to make it easier to blend. Pulse until you are happy with th ..read more

There’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee! It instantly wakes you up and makes you feel cozy at the same time. In The Philippines regardless of the weather, scorching hot or torrential rain, there’s always time for coffee. The Manila Coffee Festival at the Manila Marriott Hotel Convention Hall was a great weekend from the 15th to the 17th of March for all the hot and iced coffee lovers alike.  First, let’s start with acquiring a ticket. It was very easy and the entrance fee was reasonable for all that the event had to offer. Not only was there coffee but also a whole host of other s ..read more

Ingredients: 3 to 5 pounds of beef (your choice of chuck, round, or brisket) 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 6 cloves of garlic (minced) Red wine 2 cups beef broth ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce 2 large white onions (diced) 1 pound of carrots (cut into bite size pieces) 1 pound of potatoes (cut into bite size pieces) 2 sprigs of rosemary Salt and pepper Directions: Preheat your oven to 175 degrees celsius.  Use this time to chop up all the necessary ingredients.  Prepare your meat by seasoning it with salt and pepper. Place your dutch oven pot on the st ..read more

Bitters - These are concentrated extracts that are used to add more flavor or to balance or enhance a drink’s flavor profile. They are mostly made from herbs, tree bark, botanicals, fruit rind, roots, and spices. Some examples are Angostura bitters and orange bitters. They can also come in liqueur form such as Absinthe or Campari. Condiments - You could say that bitters are part of the condiment line up when it comes to the mixology world, but that’s not all. Condiments that are used often behind the bar include hot sauce, fruit, salt, cream, and syrup. Just as you would use condiments in th ..read more