I just got back from a week long visit to Guangzhou, China, my first international travel for the year. Likewise, it was my first time in the southern part. Amazed, intrigued and surprised, that's probably how I will describe my experience exploring what's believed to be the southern economic hub. I was surprised that Guangzhou is fast becoming another of China's cosmopolitan area. From what I heard, it's considered the 3rd largest city next to Beijing and Shanghai. Building constructions are everywhere and style and architecture wise, it doesn't pale in comparison with those in the nearby Asian countries like Singapore. However, the outskirts of the city still has that remnants of conservative Chinese civilization. In Panyu District where I stayed most of the time, it has that particular ambiance. But more and more China is really well set to make its significant presence in the world.

I'd like to give the kids a break from the typical Fried Chicken and Adobo by serving them Pan Seared Salmon with Bechamel Sauce. Having tots who's taste buds are more inclined towards meat, it may sound too ambitious for me. But following the mantra in my kitchen, we're always on for a challenge of something new. So this Salmon recipe landed onto our weekend plate. What makes this dish kid friendly is the sauce that is milk based, a taste note which is familiar to them. One strategy I have learned to develop to encourage my kids to eat something unfamiliar is to complement it with the things they like or prefer. That way, they will give it a try. Kids' appetite is very conservative and their taste buds - very basic. Thus, creating a balance of taste in their meal is a must to consider. The rule of thumb therefore is to keep it simple and familiar.

1. Season Salmon with salt and pepper. Cook in 2 tbsps olive oil in high heat for 3 - 4 minutes. Set aside.

2. Saute spinach leaves in onion & garlic with 1 table spoon olive oil. Season with salt & pepper. Set aside.

3. Cook the bechamel sauce. (Any classic bechamel recipe will do here)

4. Pour over a spoonful of sauce onto the salmon and serve together with cooked rice and sauted spinach on the side.

Amidst hectic days and more taxing roles, the long hiatus in this blog got to be cut to celebrate. Well, it should be and I must have done it long before. Thanks to the blog's 2nd anniversary. It pushed me back to blogging.

Hi everyone!, it's so great to be back online! Another month of May has come, another year has passed for Our Taste of Life. I know this year was in a bit of silence for this blog relative to the previous year. But there's no excuse not to celebrate its anniversary. Instead of getting into a nostalgia from how Our Taste of Life have evolved online, I would rather look forward. I'd like to plan for new things to happen here. So, please stay tuned. We will have more great tastes of life! I hope to have more Presto Pasta Nights (I missed Ruth Daniel's weekly event and I know my family too), more Taste Throwdown and more foodie-travel finds. Thank you to all the readers who patiently waited for my response to their queries and for always finding time to drop by. I owe it all to you! Cheers for more excitement and experiences! I'll forever be delighted to share Our Taste of Life!

Coming up next, the anniversary Contest... :-)

note: Thanks to Allan Sinco of PPI for the wonderful photo above.

For quite a long time now, the post on Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort proved to be one of the most popular posts in this blog. I constantly receive inquiries about the resort, and I apologize for not finding time to address those. So I'd like to do it now. We visited the resort last week to update ourselves on anything new. Apparently, only the rates were changed. The same facilities can be found except for some new added activities like the pedal boat. The day tour costs P500 per pax with P200 consumable for food and drinks. The buffet lunch is priced at P600 and the set meals range from P220 - P350. The set meals still feature the grilled foods like fish (tilapia and bangus), pork chop, barbecue, squid etc. For the buffet lunch, a chicken dish, pork, vegetables, seafood, soup, salad and other cold appetizers, pasta and desserts complete the meal repertoire. Honestly, it didn't impress much. It gave you that feeling of heaviness but incompletely satisfied. After the lunch, I'm craving for more delicious bites, it didn't delight me at all.

The same slow service is noted from the reception desk. I hope they will be able to find a faster, better system to manage all those paper works on issuing receipts and pass. All the more in the set meal area where hungry mouths are impatiently waiting from the queue. All the delays in the issuance of food definitely stirred a lot of complaints. I just couldn't over emphasize the importance of a better preparation and faster service for times like this. A valuable point made by one of the guests made me nod, the resort's management should have at least complemented the "no food allowed" policy by providing foods anytime, on the time it's needed.

If you intend to stay overnight, the minimum rate is P4700 per room per night with free breakfast for two. I still hold the same reservation for staying overnight though, unless you're staying with a lot of friends or barkadas. If there's one thing I'd like to commend the resort with, it's being able to maintain its cleanliness. Most of the facilities were still well kept. Will I go back again next year? Perhaps, yes! At any rate, it still is a nice place to spend summer at.

How to get there: From SLEX, take Sta. Rosa Exit then turn right from Coke tollgate and straight ahead all the way through Tagaytay - Sta. Rosa Highway. Upon passing through Tagaytay, turn right going to Nasugbu (after the archway, Lemery - Nasugbu intersection). Straight ahead, turn right at Balayan - Nasugbu intersection then turn right again at Lian/Calatagan - Nasugbu intersection (Shell Gasoline Station). Continue on until you pass by Jollibee and Nasugbu town proper. Canyon Cove is just a few minutes away from there. Found on the left side of the road after the small bridge.

For further queries:

Far East Road, Piloto, Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas

Tel. No.: (632) 5206400, 09178836417, 09285060989

It's been a while since we last explored the north of Luzon. Now, that the kids can take relatively longer road trips, we brought them to Subic one weekend. Summer time is finally here. And during this season we talk about fun, sun, travel and more! So, it's but high time to finally experience Subic. It was great to say the least, adventurous and exciting. A close tiger encounter was the most thrilling feel we've ever had. It's a must activity inside Zoobic Safari. We had a day to spend so we settled for Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure. I would suggest a morning visit to the Safari and an afternoon to the Ocean Adventure. Here are some of the things to expect from these Subic hot spots:

A tour of animals

Personal feeding of some animals (baby goats - 2 wks old)

Animal Show (very entertaining)

When we have very limited time to spend in the kitchen, we often times wish for some magic to happen. That is to make everything easy and instant in as far as our cooking is concerned. This is but a universal want for time strapped individuals like me. We all want to offer something good on the dining table for our family to savor but likewise we don’t want to spend a big chunk of our time preparing for it. So it’s such a respite to find great cooking aids in the market. One of the newbies in the market shelves is CRISPEE Perfect Match. If you have little tots to feed at the dining table, whose favorite among many is fried chicken, it is a treat to have a cooking companion such as CRISPEE. Yummy, meaty notes are guaranteed in just a whip! Just a simple pour, measure, mix and voila! An instant crunchy, crispy chicken is up for a good bite. The breading mix is very aromatic in spices and herbs but the meaty character is what's left dominating when the food is fried. Overall, the product is acceptable. It's also important to follow the cooking instructions to achieve what the Perfect Match promises its consumers - "Cruncharap na, Sarsarap pa".
I particularly liked the idea of the instant gravy. At last, something that does not need heating or boiling to make one. All you have to do is add hot water. I just wish for a thicker consistency though, taste wise it's also acceptable. Sold for only Php28 per pack good for 1 kg of meat, this is a value for money grocery pick.

We welcomed the year 2009 with so many changes in our lives. Husband and I decided to change gears in as far as our careers are concerned. We both embarked on new beginnings in the food industry. But foremost to the many changes is a new home to enjoy. With the help of books and home magazines, we were able to transform a two storey house into a humble and relaxing abode.

Similar to the previous home, we settled on an Asian inspired decor / interior. Most of the furnitures came from the old house. New accents were added to make a major facelift. Since we wanted it to be Asian in theme, the dominant hues are earth and wood inspired. The kids have history of asthma and allergies, that's why we settled for wooden sofa. This is a lot easier to clean and maintain relative to the cushion type.

Most of the things on display were souvenirs from the neighboring Asian countries (Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and China). I was privileged enough to explore these countries which probably explains for my liking of an Asian themed house. Locally, I prefer stores such as Landmark, Furniture Shops in Tagaytay, SM Homeworld / Our Home and Ace Hardware for a great selection of competitive home goods.





These are actually door curtains from Japan. I tried to transform them into window curtains instead. I love the effect they have on the stairs. They provided a good picture (sort of ambiance) on the way up to the second floor of the house.

This table runner was originally a Thai silk skirt I bought from Phuket, Thailand. Since it has long been resting in the closet, it's time to find a new use to it.

With the second ber month about to be done, the spirit of merriment has indeed arrived. In our family, the ber season is a period of having fun. Visiting carnivals and festivals is in our to do list. Last year, the kids had a great time in Global Fun Carnival. This year we’re set to experience the world of dinosaurs with the DINOS ALIVE TOUR in Manila. We can't wait for its opening this coming November 28. We've already marked the date in our calendar. If you would like to save the date too, check the details of the event on the organizer's announcement below.

I was browsing through the Philippine Star's website and I came across its section of "Kwentong Peyups" (stories about UP). Quickly, I got inspired and jumped straight unto my laptop keyboard and gloriously relived my UP life through this writing. Read on and join me in my walk down memory lane...

In a University with an Oblation Man(by Sherra Bernardo B.S. Food Technology 1994-1998)

In my teen years, the famous premier university in the country that is UP was every senior high school graduating student’s dream for a college life. It is likewise every parent’s choice for his child’s education. I remember how my mother fought for my UP education against my grandfather’s intimidating sign of a “no-no”. Well, how can you blame my grandfather for shielding me from the frightening initiation rites of fraternities and sororities, which UP is so known for? Add to that, I was entering UP at the height of Eileen Sarmenta’s rape-slay and Allan Gomez’ killing. Fortunately, my mother’s dream of a quality education reigned supreme and for that, I am forever grateful.

So in 1994, I found myself queuing in the UPLB campus getting enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program. Getting into the UP campus and living the UPLB way brought me a lot of distinctive realizations and discoveries.

At UP, You are you; I am I. Nobody care for what you wear or how you look. It is here where credentials weigh more than the physical looks. In the university, I can be me without the discriminating eyes of classmates and teachers. Do I dare say I had a taste of equality? Gladly more than I had. Students here have so much freedom but it’s prickly encased with real responsibility. You mould your own life but you also learn how to manage it wisely. Creating a balanced life is a pitch. You get to choose your own course plan even the type of brotherhood you want to cling into. But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. So family values and support of your loved ones are very much needed to get through to UPLB living sensibly. And I thank my family for I did.

No sleeps but not necessarily reap the glory. On exam days, which we normally refer to as “hell week”, sleepless nights and group studies are so common. In this period, I had my own take on the 24-hour shift of life. But ironically, you still ask why is a week of studying and sleepless nights don’t seem enough to score high on the exam? Later, I came to know that it’s all about having a good study habit and then some. Plain intelligence is not enough. Diskarte, patience, persistence and real hard work, all play vital roles. More so, I often heard social interaction is key. Popular clichés like man does not live by bread alone or no man is an island holds true in this university. So much more if you stay in the dormitory. There, you learn how to deal with different people and consequently be trained on how to adjust the strand of your interpersonal skills. Anyhow, old exams and hand me down books are some of the must grabs for doing so.

Make do of what you have and live simply. We typically commune with nature to relax from the hurdles and pressures of studies. A climb to Jamboree and NAC (National Arts Center) or an eco-adventure to Botanical Garden is our definition of luxury. We happily settle for bidani balls, siomai and empanadas for our snacks sometimes even for our lunch. Starbucks is not yet born, so we’re satisfied with our stocks of 3-in 1 coffee in the dorm to last us longer in our night of study.

Sacrifice and heroism, are what the outstretched arms of the naked man in the university are all for. But it took a while before I appreciate the value of an oblation run. I almost passed out the first time I watched it. Nuns educated me in my high school days, to say that seeing an oblation run is a culture shock for me is so much of an understatement. Because of that, I was challenged to question some UP beliefs and advocacies. On the contrary, the symbol of the naked man epitomizes the intellect and vigour of a UP education and markedly, it’s imbedded in me.

On the whole, living a UPLB life is like an amazing race. It’s generally filled with roadblocks and detours but perseverance and more got me through to the pit stops. The adventure I had is a memory of a lifetime.

When Lucky Me! encouraged us to celebrate Famealy Day at home last September 22, all the more it occured to me that the essential benefits it gives can really go a long way. So, let me share with you my thoughts in living this advocacy...

“Daddy, kanina nag drawing ako! Ang galing ko na mag-drawing.” “Ako Mommy nag-color ako, ang ganda ng pag-color ko!” “Sarap nito Mommy, luto ka ulit nito hah?” This is how typical conversation at our humble dining table sounds. With such inspiring and heart warming remarks, tell me, how can I resist family meal occasions at home? This is simply the kind of happening we shouldn’t want to be missed. A happy memory we must all partake. That’s why; KAINANG PAMILYA MAHALAGA (Family Meals deemed important), became a mantra in our home. We are pleased to declare that it’s a place where absence in the dining table at dinner time is forbidden.
As a working mom, on weekdays, I get to enjoy eating with my family on a single meal occasion only. Though I prepare my kids’ foods before I go to work, I can hardly join them in all their meals. So it really pains me to count how much little time I have for them. However, no matter how challenging it may seem nothing should prevent me in gathering the entire family to the dining table to celebrate God’s bounty. Like all time-strapped parents and homemakers in particular, the desire to give my family yummy treats and scrumptious meal is still ever burning. So when I heard flattering remarks about my cooking and the smile of satisfaction in their palate, it makes all the sacrifice worth it. If dads are considered the foundation of the home and moms are its light, I would say the dining table is its roof. It shelters all of us from the many challenges of family life. Physically, it’s witness to everyone’s food preference and eating habits. But beyond that, it’s our important link to close family ties that could last a lifetime. What could be more rewarding than being with your family as you celebrate your many firsts and milestones? From contagious laughs to serious talks and lamentation, there’s plainly no better way than sharing these with our loved ones.