Who says I can’t cook

I love to cook as much as I love eating.

It’s just that I have been concentrating more on munching snacks than mashing ingredients in the kitchen lately. The result: another extra few pounds in my tummy and there are still a couple of big feasts coming (Noche Buena and Media Noche) before the year ends.

I used to cook dinner for me and my wife especially during weekdays after I come from work. I also prepare lunch during weekends. I can serve delicious adobo, mechado, kaldereta, siningang or nilaga. But things are different now--- we have a son who only eats food that are fried or something that can be cooked in less than 5 minutes. Thus, our family is in the easy-to-cook era today.

Luckily, there is now a fast, simple and flavorful solution when creating dishes. We recently discovered Clara Olé and its wide range of versatile pasta sauces. Not only that, the brand is also credited for having a diversified yet innovative product concepts and other ready-to-use products to help aid homemakers whip up that delectably perfect and savory dish for the whole family.

Many say breakfast is the most important meal of the day but hey, it’s often neglected because of everyone’s break-neck-speed lifestyle. Want a quick fix in the morning? Whip up that batter for some scrumptious pancakes that everybody loves. We tried Clara Olé Pancake Syrups which has four different flavors: Original, Maple, Cinnamon or Truly Fruity. My son loves the Original flavor and I think this photo is an enough proof how he likes his pancakes more than ever. 



My wife created a little twist with our pancakes  as she added mangoes and chocolate spread in it ala crepe. The result? Imagine how you feel when you were still in high school every time you see you crush. That’s how good it tasted like. I want to believe that my fine slicing of mangoes added more zest to this delicious breakfast treat that can also be served during meryenda. See, I can also have my hands dirty doing kitchen work from time to time.

If you don’t have time to cook (too lazy to hold on a pan, perhaps) and just feel like popping a jar or bottle of spread ready to put on top of a slice of bread,  Jams and Jellies from Clara Olé that are perfect for any and all bread recipes, or amp up your salads even further with their Vinaigrettes like Orange, Sesame, Pesto, Parmesan and Mango.

If you are a health buff who is into salads, you can try Clara Olé Dips n’ Dressings—Thousand Island, Caesar, Honey Mustard, Ranch and Asian— that are definitely perfect for those fresh and crunchy greens as part of your daily healthy food fare.

If it’s lunch, dinner or any-time-of-the-day-meals at home or the office, enjoy a classic taste of grilled meat by checking out Clara Olé Original Barbeque Marinade to satisfy that craving. Same goes for Honey Mustard, Hickory and Spicy flavors that will surely play with your senses as soon as it hits your palate. Korean food lovers can also rejoice with Clara Olé Korean Barbeque Marinade, or bring back your glorious childhood memories with the Clara Olé line of flavorful Tapa and Tocino marinades, while Inasal is perfect for that chicken char-grilled goodness. Plus, you can even add some more zing to your rice with Ora Mix Mo Specialty Fried Rice mix that turns ordinary rice to an extraordinary companion for your mouth-watering dish.

And for those who are looking for extra special pasta dish, you can either go with Italian Style, Sweet Style, Three-Cheese, or Filipino Style Clara Ole pasta sauce to liven up any meal. Or, for a more sophisticated taste around the table, Clara Olé Chunky Tomato with Three-Cheese, Chunky Tomato with Basil, Cheesy Pesto, Kung Pao and Mushroom can make every pasta dish even more sensational.

Now, who say’s I can’t cook? With Clara Ole, I can make you eat your words… along with the dishes that I’ll cook.

Want to know more about Clara Olé value offerings, visit www.claraole.com or “Like” www.Facebook.com/myclaraole or connect via Instagram @claraoleph and share your unforgettable cooking encounters and dining experiences using Clara Olé products. You can even catch exciting Clara Olé webisodes called “Pot Sessions: A Cook Without A Book” adventure series via the Facebook app: https://www.facebook.com/myclaraole/app_566691690034303.

My ZALORA Wishlist

When I was a child, I actually believed that I am extra-ordinary.

I can climb trees effortlessly like Tarzan, run around our village tirelessly like Flash and carry three heavy school bags everyday that makes me feel I’m a muscle man like Superman.

More than two decades later, I still feel I’m a stud but this time with fear of heights, slower feet and an ab (singular form for abs). My I-am-a-superhero mantra as a child rekindled when I recently watched arguably the best superhero flick of the decade, The Avengers.

I want to join cosplay competition and costume party again.  But I think I need to shop for a new outfit since my super tummy won’t fit my old size 30 Chuck Norris Karate Commando pants (yup, stuff like these did exist).

While surfing the net for costumes, I stumbled upon ZALORA, an online shop that I consider as out of the ordinary. I will “spell out” the great features of this website to explain what I meant.

Zoom. Where else can you shop for well known brands such as Folded & Hung, Dolce & Gabanna, Europak, Gucci, Holster, Crocs, Cole Vintage, DC, Jansport, Kipling, Bayo and more and have it delivered to your door step the very day you ordered it.  Order a Gucci from ZALORA and a box of pizza from your favorite restaurant and you’ll be an Italian in an instant.

Anytime-of-the-day shopping. What’s good about online shopping is that you can just sit back and relax in front of the computer, browse all you want 24/7 and never complain of leg cramps, long line in front of the cashier and salesclerks who follow you everywhere you go.  Shop at your most convenient time, even in your boxers. Btw, ZALORA sells cool underwears, too.    

Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo, saan ka man ay halina tayo” It’s a line from the theme of a popular TV shows in the country which suddenly played in my head while reading the FREE nationwide shipping feature of ZALORA.  So the next time I'll go out of town and I forgot my swimwear again, I can just order online and have a pair delivered in my room.

On delivery payment. Some people still fear to transact online especially if the amount involve is a huge sum. But what if the only way you can get the item you’ve been dreaming of is through the internet? ZALORA accepts all major credit cards, GCash and Paypal and (drum rolls please)... cash on delivery!  Now if this still can’t convert you to be a online shopper, I surrender!

Return policy.  Within 30 days upon receiving the products, you can actually return the item that you bought from ZALORA if you are unsatisfied with it (which is highly unlikely).  But of course, due to hygienic reasons, panties, women's swimwear bottoms and men's underwear are not accepted for returns or exchanges. Yes, even if you have flawless porcelain skin (which is highly unlikely).  

Awesome deals.  Who doesn’t like bargain and discount offers. ZALORA is one generous merchant that has under P999 items, branded apparels and accessories on sale and special promotions whole year round.  The good thing is that you don’t need to wrestle for an item in the bargain bin against other shoppers that usually happens during mall-wide sales. No more body pains or whatsoever.  All you have to do is click the item and it will be yours. (Now, if your finger got injured by doing so, I surrender!) 

ZALORA just made me more excited to shop online.  With the wide-array of apparels, gears and accessories, I actually found some wonderful items that I can use as a getup for an up-and-coming superhero character that might be the next big hit since the Hulk’s nose job on Loki. Here is my ZALORA Wishlist:

1. Gold Star shirt by Rex Clothing. I just love the small prints on black. The gold star print looks like a hero emblem.  The simplicity of the design silently shouts awesomeness! 

2. 101 New York Chinos pants with striped waistband. This pair will give me a casual geeky look ala Peter Parker.  Easy to match with any short sleeve top just in case I need to costume change.

3. Inov 8 Race Elite bag. A man who loves an action-filled day should have a utility bag where he can put a lot of stuff that will be helpful in times of McGyver moments.

4. Timex Camouflage. Heroes should always be on time and in style whenever a call for help arises. This wristwatch has a very unique and cool design that fits my extra-ordinary ways.

5. Vibram Fivefingers (Classic). This is perfect for people with active lifestyles. I can ran, jog, climb mountains or lift weights in the gym without the hassle of changing my footwear every time I go to one place and another. 

Once I get these great items, I’ll borrow some things from my wife’s closet and son’s toy box and viola! I am Shopper Man!  I also have a couple of volunteers I call The Chaperons--  Credit Cat and Super Sale. Together, we dream of forming a super team we’d like to be known as The Scavengers (The Bargain Bin Hunters).

How about you? What are your dreams? Make your own wishlist today!

http://www.ZALORA.com.ph

Got a biz? Multiply!

  
If there is one bible verse that will fit good as a mantra for every businessman, I think it would be "Go forth and multiply!"

One better way of taking it literally is by maximizing what technology and social media is offering today to every entrepreneur is by joining the Multiply marketplace.

I have just launched my very own Multiply store called Bargain Ben with the promise of quality products at less cost. Thus, my battle cry is Less Price, Let's Buy!  Please like Bargain Ben Facebook fan page for more updates. 

Of course, before putting up the said store I made sure that I have checked others store first to have a grasp on how the dealings would be like.  It was fun browsing to the many nice-looking shirts under Multiply Store Philippines which is one of the many merchants  that offers payments via BDO, BPI, GCASH, and PayPal and shipping options through Courier (Philippines) and meet-up or pickup between seller and buyer.

But what caught my attention that I end up buying an item is the store Check in Joy with it's various brand of perfumes at cheaper price.  It's very easy to buy a product. Please see the step by step procedure below on how I bought a Paris Hilton Pink 100 ml. for my wife.
  

Step 1: Choose the product you want to buy and click the BUY NOW button

Step 2: Click the PROCEED TO CHECKOUT button 

Step 3: You will be asked to log in to your Multiply account

Step 4: Choose your payment mode

Step 5: You will be redirected to your Paypal account (in case this is the one that you'll be using)

Step 6: A confirmation message will be sent to you and the merchant

Now, all I have to do is to wait for the merchant to contact me on how we can arrange the shipment of the product that I ordered. That simple, that easy!

You can contact Multiply marketplace through the following:

Telephone: (+632) 655.0937
Globe: (0917) 813.6171
Smart: (0947) 393.3671
Sun: (0923) 967.2875
Email: csph@multiply.com
Inquiry Form: http://multiply.com/info/contact