Tag Archives: Wedding Catering Manila

Salad Galore! The 4 Common Types of Salad

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salads juan carlo

Vegetables are an essential part of anyone’s diet. In fact, an entire menu and method of preparation for vegetables was developed using vegetables as the main ingredients. These are called salads.

An extremely versatile meal, salads are appropriate for any occasion, whether it be a work brunch, a dinner date, and even in corporate catering in Manila. Usually what’s available in the menu are set salads, but the beauty of this dish is that, if done at home or at a salad bar, you can adjust the proportions and even the ingredients to whatever you please!

 

Different Strokes for Different Folks

It’s no secret that individuals differ in their taste preference. This is why it is extremely efficient that salads are very flexible in terms of ingredients and preparation. There are many ways to prepare a salad and quite frankly, anyone can have their own version of the popular Caesar salad. Some people may enjoy it with carrots while other people would rather have corn as a side. In short, salads have no fixed recipe and people are free to mix and match whatever recipe they want. That’s what makes salads so fun and amazing. They are delicious no matter how they are prepared because people can prepare them in their own, special way.

Not All Salads Are The Same

Salads as mentioned above are really flexible because they can be prepared however someone wants them prepared. However, there are a few traditional ways to make a salad and here they are:

Tossed Salads

Tossed salads are the most common form of salad that you can see on a regular basis. They are present at parties, caterings and even the occasional dinners at home. They are made by combining vegetables, dressings and some meat in a bowl. The body, or the main component of the salad relies on leafy vegetables such as lettuce or spinach. Nuts, cheeses and fruits are often added into tossed salads to increase the flavor and the volume of the meal.

Composed Salads

Composed salads are a more organized version of tossed salads. Their main ingredients vary but they still rely on vegetables. However, the main difference between tossed salads and composed salads is the overall theme. Composed salads are more organized and they are all individually crafted to be orderly.

Bound Salads

Bound salads are a more hearty form of salads and they are bonded together by an ingredient such as mayonnaise or a special type of vinaigrette.

Farinaceous Salads

Similar to tossed salads, their main difference lie in the main ingredient. Farinaceous salads are mainly made with potatoes or pasta and these hearty meals are filling and delicious.

 

Of course, these traditional salads are merely guides on how to create your own salad. However, the best part about salads is that, as stated above, they can be finely crafted entirely according to your preference. However, if you’d like a professional’s take on salads then why not give Juan Carlo’s menu a try at your next big event?

Good Morning, Good Taho!

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Image from MyStyleRecipe.net

Image from MyStyleRecipe.net

What is Taho?

  • It is a refreshing and tasty snack that is usually enjoyed during breakfast in the Philippines.
  • It is made of tofu, arnibal (caramel), and sago pearls.
  • These are sold by a vendor called magtataho and are usually contained in aluminum buckets. This allows them to walk or ride around a city or village to sell the snack.
  • It is so popular in the Philippines that Filipino adults and children alike enjoy it.
  • It has been around since the pre-Spanish colonial period and it is still being served to this day.

There is nothing better than a good breakfast to start a good morning. Know what else makes it better? The moment you hear that sweet sound of your local magtataho yelling that sweet word you’ve been wait for since you woke up: Taho!

Taho is one of the most versatile foods in the country because it can be enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or part of your breakfast. One of the best things about it is that though it is in actuality a simple dish, it will not look out of place among the best of the best in wedding catering in Manila.

Origins

Taho is indubitably one of the most popular snacks in the Philippines for both adults and children. Its origins aren’t clearly defined but most scholars agree that this snack is definitely derived from the Chinese traders.

Common accounts claim that taho is a product of the trading relationship between the Philippines’ ports and the Chinese trader who sought business with us. It was in this trade where the Filipinos at the time adapted a Chinese snack called “douhua” (which means “tofu pudding” or “soybean pudding” and called it “taho”. This happened decades before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

The Filipinos at the time sought for the snack because of its cool and refreshing taste. It was unique to them as it piqued interest and also because sweet snacks were for the rich and powerful. Taho is a snack that everyone can definitely afford and enjoy.

Preparation

Taho vendors, or magtatahos, would prepare the ingredients before dawn. The most important ingredient is the tofu; which serves as the core of the snack. This fresh and soft tofu is processed in a way that makes its consistency and texture similar to that of custard. This can also be made from scratch with a tofu mix.

When it comes to sweetening this snack, an ingredient known as arnibal is used, which is made by turning brown sugar into syrup. This is done by heating, caramelizing, and mixing it with water; creating a thick, amber-colored liquid. Sometimes, other flavors such as vanilla are added to this. Sago pearls, which can be bought from the local market, is boiled until the consistency becomes gummy and the appearance becomes a translucent white.

These ingredients are then put into two aluminum buckets that are connected with a yoke or placed in a pedicab (a common Filipino mode of transport that involves a bike with a side car attached). In one bucket – usually the bigger one – is the tofu base while the smaller bucket contains the arnibal and sago mixed together.

Sale

The vendors travel around cities and villages to sell taho. They usually market their product by using a very distinct and projected voice to loudly say the name “Taho!” while walking or riding down an area. Filipinos would recognize it and, since the voice is usually projected well, they would hear it from the insides of their homes. Most magtatahos would have a regular business path at a regular schedule; usually in the morning as it is a great breakfast meal or snack. However, it is also common to see these vendors still selling their products in the afternoon or the evening.

When they make a sale, they must first use a metal watch glass to toss out the excess water on the surface of the bean curd. Then, they use a long metal ladle to get and put together the ingredients in front of their buyer in a plastic cup – usually available in two sizes – and serves it to their customer along with a plastic spoon for them to eat wherever they please. One may also choose to use their own cup as it is also common for households to give the vendor a pitcher to be filled with taho so that they can have their own supply of the tasty snack at home; at a higher price, of course. Families would then put the pitcher in their refrigerator and simply need to place the taho in a cup or glass and heat it to be able to eat it or even enjoy it chilled.

Appeal

Taho is popular because it is both delicious and affordable, even with children. It can be found almost anywhere because the demand for it is as strong as when it was first introduced. Its target market is on such a wide scale that it’s almost impossible to measure it in the first place. Simply put, many people from different walks of life enjoy and love taho for what it is: a brief, but sweet escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Nostalgia

The thing about taho is that it is a timeless food that will never go out of fashion, at least not in the foreseeable future. Timelessness is something that food needs in order to become a staple; this is something that food chains try to strive for by showing commercials and promos that promote family and happiness. By showing these elements in their commercials, they are essentially telling people that by eating their food, they will remember their happier times; as well as evoking the feeling of love that can only be achieved by dining together with family.

Taho, on the other hand, needs nothing like that. The reason why taho is purely timeless because our grandparents ate taho when they were children, our parents enjoyed taho when they were younger and so on. In short, taho is something that markets itself with nostalgia simply because it is something that almost every Filipino has eaten at least once during a period of their life.

Love

Essentially, taho is one of those foods that people look for when they need comfort, a quick fix, or both. It’s great for any time of the day and its appeal is definitely a lasting one. However, any food can achieve this feeling so long as they are enjoyed with the people that we love. Are you interested in creating a lasting memory with food, surrounded by the people you love? Give Juan Carlo’s catering a try!

MRE: History of Rations

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What is the history of rations?

  1. The first rations appeared in ancient times when Roman soldiers were given two pounds of bread per day which came with olive oil, meat, and wine
  2. The armies during this time mainly relied on barrels upon barrels of dried meat and vegetables on their longer campaigns
  3. Cutting off an army’s trade route was tantamount to winning the war during this time.
  4. In the 18th century, armies carried “garrison rations” which were stored in large wagons which followed columns of troops wherever they travelled. These contained beef or pork, wheat flour or cornmeal, and barrels of apple cider or spruce beer.
  5. During the invasion of Russian, Nicolas Appert revolutionized rations by placing food in sealable jars and covering it in hot water. This sterilized, cooked, and preserved the food all at the same time.
  6. Because glass jars were expensive, canned food was created.
  7. In the 19th century, the USA created the first legitimate rations which provided the full nutritional value of a true meal.

 

Food is so crucial to the survival of the human race. In fact, there are businesses dedicated to providing it, such as Juan Carlo’s wedding catering services. However, during the darker periods of human history, food was also a necessary resource in the art of war. Sustaining an army of thousands of men got the various military forces around the world pondering the gargantuan task of keeping these soldiers fed. See, food is necessary in peace as well as war because without it, soldiers would not be ready for combat.

Most of history saw some small militias rather than large armies for battle. They would usually come together from the local population and would only be active for a short period of time. When these small groups would need to move from place to place, they simply just lived off of the food that they found, the food they could buy, and the food they could confiscate from stores and farms.

In fact, during the ancient times, Rome created the very first permanent and professional army. The Roman Empire divided this army and stationed Legionnaires at all corners and points of their land. This was possible because of the paved road that they had which made the transport of supplies a bit easier. Every soldier was given two pounds of bread per day, which came with olive oil, meat, and wine. These were the first appearance of something that resembled rations. The supply of these came from places as far as Egypt to as near as local fields.

The armies, during this time, mainly relied on barrels upon barrels of dried meat and vegetables on their longer campaigns. However, dried food can only last for so long so at the time, cutting off an army’s trade route is tantamount to winning the war. At the time, food couldn’t last for more than a month so expenditure was at an all-time high for transporting and producing food alone. Lack of food also drove armies to raid and plunder innocent villages for food, water and at times, for manpower.

History has shown the world that the lack of food during emergency cases often drove desperate people to committing things that they normally wouldn’t do, otherwise known as the state of ‘insanity’. One such example is the 1972 Andes Flight Disaster where after several days of starving, the desperate survivors collectively decided, albeit begrudgingly, to eat the flesh of their deceased compatriots. It is a widely accepted fact that hunger drives people to do things in order to survive.

 

1972 Andes Flight Disaster

For a time, profession armies disappeared and did not resurface until the 18th century; most notably in the British Empire. When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the British Empire was ready and they easily stuck down any rebellion with trained battalions of soldiers. Both sides relied heavily on locally available food for their rations as well as foraging any land that they could. Often, both sides would find themselves too far away from any reliable source of food. They had to carry “garrison rations”, which were stored in large wagons which followed columns of troops wherever they travelled. Their typical supply of food included beef or pork, wheat flour or cornmeal, and barrels of apple cider or spruce beer (during this time, sanitation was still inefficient and it was more hygienic to bring around cider and beer instead of water).

Fresh vegetables were also very unusual to be a part of a battalion’s food supply since it was hard to preserve them. They were only available to soldiers if there was a local supply of it. Because of the lack of fruits and vegetables, soldiers usually suffered from vitamin deficiencies and winter time would take a heavy toll on them. Most of the soldiers who fought in this war died from disease rather than the hands of their enemies.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French conqueror, once said that, “An army marches on its stomach”; and he ardently believed in the importance of proper military nutrition. Unknowingly, this statement would start the search for a way to preserve food and eventually lead to the invention of canned food.

During the invasion of Russia, Napoleon and the French government needed to find a way to supply their massive army with food since the battles took place in faraway fields from their food sources. Because of this, they promised an award to the person who could revolutionize the transport and preservation of food.  Nicolas Appert heard the call and so he developed a preservation method which involved sealing the food in a glass jar and covering it with boiling water so that it will be cooked as well as keeping it preserved. The boiling water is also what kills the bacteria on the meat and sterilizes it while the jar keeps the bacteria from attacking the meat.

This idea is what paved the way to what we now know as ‘canned food’. At the time, the idea was considered revolutionary and it provided safe food for transfer and consumption.

The only problem with canning was that, at the time, the materials needed for canning were expensive and they were difficult to open without the proper tools. Although their need for fresh food was answered, a new problem popped up, but it wasn’t too big of a deal until the early 19th century when the British military used cans sealed with lead solder, which in turn caused lead poisoning.

Civil_War_rations

It wasn’t until the late 19th century when food rationing was truly revolutionized, at least in its earliest form, by the United States Military. They developed a system of nutrition which addressed the daily nutritional meal of an average person. Various tools and other materials were also developed for the consumption of food, which lead to rations being extremely convenient to transport as well as the easy of preparing the food for eating.

Food is one of the only things in the world which could cause conflicts but at the end of the day, the night will fall and the sun will rise. Simply put, while food is the cause of conflict, it can also be a source of love and nourishment between families and friends.

The Cutting Edge: Understanding the Different Cutting Styles

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Photo by Benjamin Faust

Photo by Benjamin Faust

What are the different cuts that a chef must know?

  1. The Julienne
  2. The Brunoise
  3. The Batonette
  4. The Chiffonade
  5. The Baton
  6. The Small Dice
  7. The Medium Dice
  8. The Large Dice

One of the most important things a chef must first understand is the concept of different cuts. Every ingredient in a Chef’s arsenal must be cut accordingly. It can also be argued that a Chef’s cutting skills can directly impact how the dish will turn out. This much is true for the most successful restaurant in Europe as much as it is true for quality catering in Manila.

The Basics

One of the most basic things a chef should master is determining which cut to use, how to use it, and when to use it. People who have cooked for a long time understand the fact that the cut they use will determine the accuracy or faithfulness of the dish to the recipe. It affects the taste, consistency, and aesthetics of the dish, as well as its overall presentation. In cooking, aesthetic is just as important as the taste. Studies have shown that people are more likely to enjoy a dish based on its presentation. This isn’t to say that people are, by nature, picky eaters; In fact, the most passionate foodies are the type of people who know that they deserve only the very best from the most passionate chefs. Such is the case with Juan Carlo’s dedicated staff who continuously improves their skills with the latest and the greatest in cooking techniques.

Tools of the Trade

A great thing that a chef should remember is how important their tools are. A blunt and rusty knife will most definitely produce inferior cuts as well as run the risk of infecting the people who consume food produced by said knife. A good chef should always keep their tools in optimal condition. It can also be argued that the state of a chef’s tools reflect on their personality and approach when it comes to cooking and ultimately, their skills in its entirety.

The Importance of Squared Off Ingredients

Mastering each of the basic cuts requires the Chef to understand the importance of squaring their ingredients. The foundation of each and every cut on this list lies with squaring the ingredients and then preparing them according to what cut they should be.

 In order to explain how to do this, an example must be used in the form of a carrot. To start the process, the carrot skin must be peeled and the end must be cut off. Then, it must be sliced into segmented lengths of 4cm thickness. With each segment, one end must be sliced in order to produce a flat surface. Lay this surface face down to continue the process for the other ends to flat surfaces on all sides. The result should be a 3-dimensional rectangle. With this squared off carrot as an imaginary example, all the cuts below can be explained:

The Cuts

There are many different styles of cutting that a chef should remember and here are some of them:

The Julienne 

The Julienne cut is essentially done by cutting your ingredients into stick shapes and they are usually very thin. This is best done for ingredients that are used as a base for various sauces such as for sweet and sour pork.

In order to achieve this cut, it starts with cutting an item into a square. Then, it is cut length-wise with each cut only being 1-2mm thick (or 1/16 in); creating multiple thin, rectangular slices. These will then, in turn, also be cut the same way to end up with slices that resemble a group of matchsticks.

The Brunoise

Simply put, the Brunoise dice is the smallest dice that a chef can produce. The procedure for producing the Brunoise dice is quite similar to making the Julienne cut, except dicing them at the end of the process. Chefs do this by taking their Julienne cuts, bunching it up in their hand, then cutting them length wise which creates the dices of the carrot. Although this seems like a simple process to learn, it is difficult to master because the ideal Brunoise Dice cut is one that has perfect and equal dices.

The Batonnet

By this point you, our reader, will start to notice a pattern: the different cuts use a combination or variation of the basic ones. The Batonnet cut is essentially the Julienne cut except that it is significantly thicker; 6cm thick to be exact.

The Batonnet is done to add depth to a somewhat “flatter” sort of dish as well increasing the flavor of the vegetable. Also, it is used to make a dish appear to be taller, especially when serving a dish that is particularly large. This provides a linear appeal to a customer. It is because of this cut that one will usually see this as a requirement in many recipes in cookbooks.

The Chiffonade

This cut is especially suited for thinner ingredients such as herbs and spices. Unlike the other cuts on the list, the Chiffonade is almost exclusively used for vegetables and not meat; the imaginary example of a carrot, however, is not applicable to this.

The process of this is simple; it first involves stacking the herbs and vegetables to be used. Then, it is rolled like how one would roll a cigar. Once it is rolled, one can begin slicing it just like meat. This produces a nice chiffonade cut for the herbs which is best used for garnishing.

The Baton

This is the largest cut in the Chef’s arsenal (at 12mm thickness) and it is usually used for presentation purposes and crudites. While it is not common, it is necessary to know because it is needed to create Large Dice.

The Small Dice

This is exactly like the Brunoise except it has larger dices. To do this, chefs create thicker Julienne cuts to their carrots; these should be 3mm thick instead of 1-2mm. Applying the Brunoise to these Juliennes will create bigger dices.

The Medium Dice

This is basically applying the Brunoise to the Batonnet which will produce even larger cubes than the small dice. Thus, the name: Medium dice. The result of this should be 6mm cubes of carrots.

The Large Dice

Following the pattern, this is just the Baton with the Brunoise cut applied; creating 12mm cubes. This cut is usually used in stews and long-cooking dishes. It can really bring great presence to a dish and really makes it look professional.

Key Takeaway

In conclusion, cutting is a skill that every chef should endeavor to master, whether or not they cook as a hobby or professionally. At the end of the day, what every person who loves to cook strives for is one thing: Satisfying the people who eat their food.

5 Wedding Catering Food for Kids

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kids wedding catering

Many couples prefer to keep their wedding children-free, but there are circumstances where they can’t help but allow their guests to bring children. That means the couple must incorporate some kid-friendly foods in the menu of their wedding catering in the Philippines. Keep the little ones entertained and full with these fun, creative food ideas that might leave the grown-up ones a tad bit envious:

 

Mini cheeseburgers

Who doesn’t love cheeseburgers? Keep this fast food classic mess-free for the kids by making cheeseburgers using mini buns! Not only are these bite-sized cheesy meaty goodness super delicious, they look super cute too (don’t deny it!). But if burgers are not your thing, try making mini hotdog sandwiches. Then allow the kids to have fun by letting them draw on their sandwiches using the ketchup and mustard. Just have a babysitter nearby to keep an eye on the kids to avoid a huge mess and possible food fights.

Fruit and vegetable cups

Skip the traditional salad and serve fruits and vegetables in cups instead. Everyone eats with their eyes especially kids so what looks appealing to them, there is a huge possibility they will eat. Put sliced fruits and sliced vegetables in separate cups along with some sort of dip like yogurt for the fruits and mayonnaise for the vegetables. If you want to level up the creativity, make fruit and vegetable kebabs then use the cups as containers for the dips.

Image: Lorraine Cryan Photography

Image: Lorraine Cryan Photography

Smoothie popsicles

While the rest of your guests are feasting on fancy desserts, serve smoothie popsicles to the little ones. This will keep them cool and satisfied especially during a hot, summer wedding. But of course, you can also whip up a batch of grown-up friendly smoothies as additional dessert. Just make sure they are separated from one another so there won’t be any accidents of an alcohol-laced pop being served to one of the flower girls (yikes).

Macaroni and cheese

A certified hit with kids, macaroni and cheese is a sure way to please the kids. Go serve this recipe in small, colorful bowls or get creative by making mini mac and cheese pies or even fried mac and cheese balls which you can skewer with sticks for a fun, lollipop-like look.

Peanut butter and jelly

Along with macaroni and cheese, the PBJ is a classic among kids (and kids at heart). Rather than serving these in the traditional sandwich, let your creativity shine through by making peanut butter and jelly sushi (bread strips with peanut butter and jelly then rolled up to look like sushi) or peanut butter and jelly muffins.

 

These foods are a sure way to satisfy the kids—and their parents. Serve these up in a separate station for kids only so they can form a line altogether without having to mix up with the adults. Try also to set up an activity section for the kids where they can quietly entertain themselves all throughout the reception. That way, you have kept your guests—and their kids—happy and worry-free.

6 Foods for Losing Weight

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What are foods that can help someone lose weight?

  1. Water
  2. Yogurt
  3. Cruciferous Vegetables
  4. Tuna
  5. Avocadoes
  6. Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Are you a bride-to-be that can’t fit her dream wedding dress? Or are you the groom who suffers from the so-called ‘tight tux’? When it comes to getting the right fit in time for your wedding, all it takes is some exercise and a lot of restraint. In other words: you’re going on a diet. It will be hard but it will worth it when you can look your best on your special day. Not to mention, you can make your wedding your epic cheat day by pigging out with the best food from the best wedding catering in Manila.

Waterglass of water juan carlo

Well, not literally just water itself. But it does help in keeping you going throughout the day. Thus, you should always have an ample amount of water intake.

Water intake is not limited to just how much water you drink. Fruits and vegetables are also great sources of water; these have proven to have 80-98% water content. Researchers speculate that the water in these foods help satiate you and make you feel full; thus, you eat less. So go ahead and buy foods with high water content like cucumbers, tomatoes, grapefruit and strawberries. Not only will they help you to limit your food intake, they can also help you stay hydrated especially during a hot day.

Yogurt

yogurt juan carlo

If you’re wishing for an even tastier, yet healthy form of indulgence leading up to your special day, then this handy little snack is undoubtedly for you. When it comes to guilt-free sugary pleasures, Yogurt is your kind of snack.

Yogurt can help you lose weight because of it is high in protein and it keeps you full until your next meal. You can even top it with your favorite fruits and other things to make eating it a little bit sweeter.

But if you plan to make yogurt into a meal, you may want to take it easy with the nuts, fruit, granola, and whatever topping you can think of adding. These can easily make your healthy snack into an overloaded calorie bomb.

Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables Juan Carlo

Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are some members of the cruciferous vegetables family. Compared to most vegetables, the members of this vegetable family have more protein and fiber content, which can help your metabolism and prevent constipation.

Another thing about these vegetables that makes them suitable for your diet plan is their texture. These vegetables are known for having that crunch-factor which adds a bit of thrill in every bite. Plus, they can be prepared in any way, whether you chop them up to add to your stew or for a salad of your own choosing. You can’t go wrong with what you can gain from these greens.

Tuna

tuna fish juan carlo

If you’re a fan of seafood, then eating fish is the way to go for an easy diet. But if you’re not, then you should at least have tuna as your guilt-free meat substitute. Tuna is a big hit with dieters because of the fact that it’s low in calories and high in protein. This is very useful for anyone to keep in shape.

Tuna can also be prepared in any way you choose, whether it be steamed, pan-fried, grilled, or even raw for sashimi. Whichever method you choose, you’ll still get a delightful seafood experience minus the regret.

Another thing that makes Tuna the household name it is today is that it’s also a lean kind of fish; meaning there isn’t much fat in it. But this doesn’t mean that you can just grab any can of tuna when you’re looking for a quick fix. Always make sure to get the tuna canned in water and not oil. That way, you won’t get the unnecessary fat from the oil.

Avocados

Avocados are rich in healthy fats, water, fiber and potassium. Avocados are perfect additions to a salad because the fats in this fruit can help boost the nutrient intake in the salad because of the vitamins and nutrients present in them.

Apple cider vinegar

apple cider vinegar juan carlo

Drinking apple cider vinegar before a meal can help in weight loss because apples are a great source of pectin. This is a natural substance which can keep you full longer and feel more satisfied. It also helps in stimulating digestion which prevents fats from staying in the digestive tract for too long. When foods stay for too long in the intestines, they can be converted into more unnecessary fats to be absorbed by the body.

So whether you are getting ready for a big event or just want to lose a couple of pounds so you can fit in your favorite jeans, these foods, especially when partnered with regular exercise, can help you shed that belly fat you’ve always dreaded. As they say, diets are not about depriving yourself—it’s about choosing the right foods without the unnecessary fats and calories.

12 Awesome Themes for a Bachelorette Party

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What can be the Best Theme for a Bachelorette Part?

  1. Prepare a camping trip
  2. Party with makeups and get some makeovers
  3. Sing along with the bride
  4. Prepare a replica of the bride’s honeymoon
  5. Join her in her to-do-list and make it happen
  6. Make everything in the bride-to-be’s place in her favorite color and enjoy a slumber party
  7. Party at the poolside and relax in your bikinis
  8. Party at the club
  9. Conduct a tea party for her
  10. Reminisce memories and enjoy a brunch full of laughter with the bride and the squad
  11. Make her wish come true – prepare a Princess-themed party for the bride
  12. Get the bride in an adventure, gather the squad and plan a road trip

While your sister or best friend is busy planning a wedding in Manila, the catering, the wedding venue, and other wedding plans are going to cloud her mind and stress her out. Why not help her to enjoy the days leading up to her special day? You can do this by planning a bachelorette party!

Whether you are on a budget or not, you can organize the perfect one for the bride. Pick one from these fun, smart ideas and gather your girlfriends for a bachelorette bash you will never forget!

 

Camping trip

What’s not awesome about adventure? A camping trip is perfect when you ladies are on a budget but still want to have a great time. With just a tent or two, some sleeping bags, and a bonfire, you and your friends can enjoy a night filled with gossip and stories. While you enjoy talking, eat some sandwiches, grilled food, and the ever favorite s’mores to go with the camping mood. If you go with this plan, then be sure to prepare camping-themed games as well like scavenger hunts to add creativity and laughter.

At-Home Beauty Party

Sometimes, all any girl needs for a good time is a beauty party with her closest friends at home. Gather your girlfriends and tell them to bring their makeup, skincare, nail polishes, bathrobes, and flip flops and head on over to the bride’s place. Give each other a makeover! You can even prank some of friends by giving them silly makeup and having a great laugh about it!

Who said you have to pay a lot for a spa when you can do it at home? An at-home beauty bachelorette party is a great way to give the bride a last day of child-like carefreeness before moving forward in her life.

Good ol’ karaoke

Go plug in the microphone and speakers then let loose with a couple of the bride’s favorite tunes all night. Who cares if you can’t belt out to Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’? As long as you and your girlfriends are having fun, nothing else matters. But make sure to alert the neighbors that you will be singing all night long to prevent furious yells at the front door telling you to shut up.

Honeymoon preparation

Surprise the bride by decorating her place to resemble where she and her soon-to-be husband will be having their honeymoon. As for gifts, make sure you and your friends get the goodies and outfits the bride and groom can use during her honeymoon. You can also amp things up by cooking food that the honeymooners will possibly experience during their stay at their destination.

The To-Do List

The bride may have a bucket list of things to do before getting married. However, sometimes, not all the items on the list would get crossed off before the special day. This could be because she’s press for time while planning or she couldn’t do those things with her fiancé.

Use this to your advantage and plan a bachelorette party when you and your girlfriends check those remaining things off together! Just make sure everyone is on board with what she requests. Who knows, the bride may be dying to go bungee jumping but one of your girlfriends has a fear of heights.

(Insert favorite color here) Slumber Party

If you would like something simple yet creative, then just hold a slumber party in the bride-to-be’s place.  The big twist you can do to make it feel special is to make sure everything is in her favorite color! Change the carpet, curtains, pillowcases, bed sheets, tablecloths, and even the wallpaper in whatever color the bride loves. Then give the bride silly, cute gifts—and yes, in her favorite color as well.

Poolside Party

The bride may be looking for some vitamin sea and what better way to make this happen is to rent a unit at a hotel that has a cool pool scene. Make use of your beautiful bikinis, grab some good cocktails, and avail a spa treatment if possible! Definitely, this suggestion is one that everyone will enjoy and have the bride relaxed before her dream wedding.

A Bachelorette Club Party

If the bride’s one to party, then reserve a table at her favorite club. Add spice to the night by dressing up in a themed attire or the most dance worthy outfits! But of course, where there is a club or bar, there is also alcohol. Thus, it’s best not to have too much fun by drinking too much to avoid any unwanted troubles.

Tea Party

If the bride is particularly a tea lover and wants an elegant affair, then it’s best to conduct a tea party for her. You can add finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, lace doilies, and various kinds of teas that everyone would love! What’s convenient with this party theme is the fact that this kind of bachelorette party can be held in homes or a rented tearoom.

A Brunch Party

Not all bachelorette parties are held at night. Some can be during the day and no, it wouldn’t be boring. You can gather the bride and your friends in your favorite brunch restaurant, eat your favorites, have fun conversations, and drink unlimited mimosas. Reserve this favorite of restaurant of yours immediately if you’re going for this option. But you can also choose to host the brunch at your place – just add some flair to the drinks for a better experience. You can also make a good and memorable speech too!

‘Princess-Themed’ Party

Every girl wants to be a Princess at least once in her life. To make the bride’s dream come true, why not plan a Princess-themed party? Collect some tiaras for everyone to wear along with their favorite dresses or, even better, have everyone dress up as their favorite Disney princess! Of course, get the bride the Royal Tiara that she deserves – before she becomes someone’s queen, of course.

Road Trip

A bachelorette’s party doesn’t need to be that grand; especially if the bride is the kind who prefers something simple yet adventurous. Aside from a camping trip, you can do this by getting her and your friends to go on road trip.

Pack some snacks, prepare a song list for everyone to jam with, grab a map (in case), and hit the road! If you pass by a few tourist spots, then stop-by and capture some gorgeous pictures to record your memories!

Tip: To make it even more special, keep track of the places you’re going to and write some quick notes – then give it to the bride at the end of trip.

Key Takeaway

Who said only guys have the right to hold bachelor parties? Ladies can also have fun on their last few days of singlehood. Don’t be shy to experiment; it’s the fun that counts.

The Benefits of Organic Food

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organic juan carlo

Why should you incorporate organic foods in your diet?

  1. The food is undeniably fresh and avoids chemical contamination.
  2. It tastes more deliciously than junk foods.
  3. Antioxidant levels are higher.
  4. You can consume much healthier omega-3 fatty acids.
  5. One can avoid an extra dose of antibiotics that may weaken the immune system.
  6. Helps secure animal welfare and of course, the safety of the children and women who consumes much more milk.
  7. Helps you save in many ways.
  8. Helps maintain environment-friendly surroundings.
  9. Helps preserve agricultural diversity and save everyone from destruction.
  10. Helps support the local company by creating jobs and keeping the farmers thriving.

Although there are people who find organic foods pricey and hard to find, studies show that they are much more nutritious and healthier compared to the conventional food. These can help lengthen lives as well as prevent diseases. Even the best wedding catering in Manila know these benefits and offer organic food in their services for the guests that need or want it.

Organic foods are those that were grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and antibiotics (in the case of animals). By removing these substances, consumers can enjoy a wide range of benefits that will be discussed below. After reading this article, you will know why the popularity of organic foods has boomed in the past few years.  Without further ado, here are reasons why you should incorporate more organic foods in your diet:

Freshness guaranteed

Organic foods are fresher because, compared to conventional food, they don’t contain preservatives, synthetic fertilizers, and chemical pesticides. For the food companies, preservatives are considered important for these products to lengthen their shelf life. However, these chemicals also contaminate the food with harmful substances.

Likewise with preservatives, the same goes for fertilizers and pesticides when the food is still being grown. Though this may be essential for protecting crops from elements and pests, they’re made of dangerous chemicals such as organophosphorus, which could harm a person’s health. In fact, studies show that synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides have been connected to illnesses like cancer, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and infertility to name a few.

Better taste

Organic foods are proven to be more delicious thanks to being grown in healthy soil and natural fertilizers. At first, eating organic food may feel different especially if you are used to foods loaded with preservatives like MSG. But after a short time, your body will get used to organic foods and the junk foods will start to leave a bad aftertaste.

More Antioxidants

The best benefit of organic foods is that it is 69% higher in antioxidants compared to conventionally grown foods. Research says that eating healthy organic food increases antioxidant content in the human body; further protecting cells from damage. Additionally, it also contributes to strengthening the immune system, reducing weight gain, and healthy reproduction.

It can help you save money

While it is true organic products are more expensive, they will help you save money in several ways. As mentioned above, they are very healthy and can help in preventing diseases. This means that you won’t spend too much on medical care in the long run.

For the gardeners, you can grow your very own organic garden in your yard and not have to worry about buying vegetables and fruits in the market. By doing this, you can always get them for free and at its freshest condition which make for the best tasting meal.

Environmental benefits

The process of creating non-organic foods is harmful to the environment. Here a just few examples:

  1. Conventional farming methods can cause soil erosion.
  2. The pesticides used will retain in the soil for a very long time.
  3. Artificial pest controls are becoming less and less effective, meaning more chemicals must be used so that they can really kill the pests.

By buying organic products, you help to promote the natural ways of growing plants and raising animals as well save the environment from those harmful chemicals.

Helps Preserve Agricultural Diversity

Preserving agricultural diversity should be a concern to people to avoid losing crops and species that supports the food chain. If people would only rely on one or two kinds of food, devastation is more likely to occur. An instance of this is the potato famine in Ireland in which a plague struck the crops; thereby causing millions of people to starve which eventually led to their death.

In organic farming, food sources are maximized to an assorted range of food varieties. Also, traditional practices are taken into account. Hence, organic farming is more tolerant to regional conditions and pests.

 Support for the Farming Community

Purchasing organic food especially in a farmer’s market can help support the local companies by creating jobs and keeping the farmers thriving. People who are committed to buying organic food are the only ones who keep these farms financially stable. Why not add to the community of organic-loving people and help these farmers?

Key Takeaway

Although organic food can sometimes be unbelievably expensive, the health benefits from eating these foods can help prevent you from spending much more money in various things such as hospital bills. Try investing in organic foods – or even in your own mini-farm in your garden – and see the difference or differences they make in your life.

13 Rather Inappropriate or Cliche Songs Used in Weddings

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cliche wedding songs

What are examples of songs that can be deemed a bit cliché or inappropriate for a wedding?

  1. Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers)
  2. From this Moment on (Shania Twain)
  3. My Heart Will Go on (Celine Dion)
  4. Every Breath You Take (The Police)
  5. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
  6. Amazed (Lonestar)
  7. How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes)
  8. Macarena (Los Del Rio)
  9. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
  10. Single Ladies (Beyonce)
  11. If You Wanna Be Happy (Jimmy Soul)
  12. All of Me (John Legend)
  13. Love Story (Taylor Swift)

Wedding music helps set the mood during the said event. It’s a given that there are classic wedding songs for you to choose from, though that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t go modern on your playlist; however, as you get on with your nuptial plans like the guest list, decoration, and which restaurant or caterer to contact for your wedding catering in the Philippines, steer clear of the following music selections, which have already become overdone as the steak you probably had during your pre-nuptial taste test:

Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers

Although associated with the 1990 film Ghost starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, this song was originally written for a little-known prison film entitled Unchained. The song was all about a man who yearned for his true love and was played during the iconic pottery scene between Moore and Swayze. As romantic as it can be, the song’s overused already and it’s a little creepy to play a song associated with a sex scene in front of the bride’s parents.

From This Moment On by Shania Twain

It’s just appropriate that the newlyweds would do their first dance as husband and wife to the song “From This Moment On”. Props to Ms. Twain though: the song’s lyrics is almost the same as reciting wedding vows to each other all over again. But please, this song is already as cliché as it is romantic.

My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion

This classic love song was associated with the film Titanic and is about the power of undying love. But still, this song is linked to a woman who woes over her lover who froze to death. Get it? He froze to death. Please don’t play any sad songs during your wedding.

Every Breath You Take by The Police

At first, this song sounds like a very powerful love song where the guy is being protective of the girl. But on second or third time listening, the song presents the idea of rape, stalking, murder and obsession, something that you most definitely should not play during the wedding.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Again, another love song that can set the wrong mood during the wedding. This song is about saying goodbye to a lover. Although it is a touching and powerful song, it’s overused already and it’s sad. You are newlyweds; don’t play something that can make your guests cry on their pillows.

Amazed by Lonestar

This country song has been played in weddings throughout the years. While this song may have expressed the “I-want-you-to-stay-beside-me-forever” kind of feeling with great accuracy, it is cliché enough to be played on your wedding. So please, just don’t.

How Do I Live by Leann Rimes

Some songs ought to be melodic and somewhat soothing because the singer sang it that way, however, the lyrics itself can be a little bit different. An instance of which is Leann Rime’s How Do I Live, it has been sung in such a soothing manner that you’ll definitely want it for your first dance while you’re in the arms of your beloved spouse. We hate to break it up to you but: it is a break up song. Sadly.

Macarena by Los Del Rio

Macarena may be a fun song to dance to especially during a party, but during a wedding? Your guests will definitely find the song awkward and too silly that they’ll most likely leave the dance floor than continue dancing.

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

This song has been played not only in one or two weddings, but in millions of weddings, and still counting. While it may be fun playing it while the girls are on it for the bouquet toss moment, don’t do it. Why? Because it’s all about surviving a breakup! You would not want to talk about breakup on your own wedding day, would you?

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) by Beyonce

This song can be an alternative background music for your bouquet toss, however, it can be as cliché as it would sound. Beyoncé is among the singers that has been singing around on weddings, and if you’d want to mark every moment of your wedding to be different, pick another song. We love Beyoncé, though.

If You Wanna Be Happy by Jimmy Soul

Regardless of the song being funny and catchy, this song shouldn’t be played at any wedding – ever. Certainly, your wife and her family wouldn’t be happy hearing, “Saw your wife the other day/ Yeah?/ Yeah, she’s ugly.” More so, you could be holding the title of the “Fastest Divorced Man” by the end of the song.

All of Me by John Legend

“’Cause all of me/ Loves all of you/ Love your curves and all your edges/ All your perfect imperfections,” – truly these lines sounded both romantic and soothing. It’s a song about appreciating everything of Legend’s wife, but, it’s been in almost every wedding possible since 2013. Not to mention you’ll hear it every now and then in the radio, the grocery store, or almost everywhere.

Love Story by Taylor Swift

While this may seem a perfect match to your generation, and you may have liked Tay-Tay, the concept just doesn’t fit a wedding. The song itself is based on Romeo and Juliet’s story, would you want that? If you’re not familiar of them, well here’s the thing: they’re two star-crossed lovers who went against family conflicts and then a lot of things happen. Then they die. It isn’t cute as the song has been sung.

Key Takeaway

It doesn’t hurt to research on potential wedding day songs. There are so many love songs being produced each year so try not to include these in your playlist. Spare the awkwardness and ‘here we go again’ looks from your guests. I

f you’re daring enough, feel free to compose your own. Not only will you wow your guests with your song-making skills, your partner will definitely appreciate the sweet gesture, especially if you are the one performing it.