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Bottlegreen drinks

Last week I’ve piqued on two flavors from Bottlegreen. While Cox’s Apple tasted like Cali’s Apple drink, the combination of elderflower and pomegranate as a drink came a little weird for me. Maybe it’s because I’m not oriented to floral flavors. Few days ago I got another two bottles of Cox’s Apple, while I almost never wanted to finish my pink drink. Until I read the article titled 11 Best Foods that You Are Not Eating Well.

Of these 11 best foods, only the folllowing are in my general consumption:
(a) Cabbage. Should be eaten like Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.
(b) Dried plums. I’ve eaten one ages ago, ack!
(c) Pumpkin seeds, the most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium (yay!)
(d) Sardines, should be packed in olive or sardine oil.

Well, that’s 4 of 11. The rest include beets, swiss chard, cinnamon, pomegranate juice, turmeric, frozen blueberries and canned pumpkin (weird!). So, there’s no more reason for me to drop the bottle of pomegranate. That makes it 5 of 11.

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Sosi Streetfood, Mall of Asia

I am writing this with no offense to the streetfood vendors and patronizers.  Occasional eating of squidballs sold in Ayala Ave. is actually one of my simple pleasures.  The last time I craved about it was last month that I took this photo:


Fronting People Support Building, Ayala Ave.I cooked some at home but it is not at par with those in Ayala’s despite that I matched it with the yummy ready sweet and spicy sauce/s from SM Supermarket.  What’s the secret?  The dust in the street? Hehe. 

 

I also wanted to try these big guavas but I only eat those which are freshly picked in Laguna:

And this tempting shawarma at the stall near LRT Station.  But no thanks!  I think I’m safe with the one from SM Megamall. :D

Rarely I also eat “tokneneng” (coated quail eggs) at Balut Eggspress in Ayala MRT Station or in Robinson’s Pioneer.  Lately, I have tried these also from Dr. Kwek Kwek Eggspecialist in Mall of Asia (MOA):

And here’s the heart of this post:  are you fond of eating fried squid/calamares selling for PhP2.50 or less per piece in the streets?  This explains why the vendors can leverage on its cheap pricing which is way different from Tokyo Tokyo’s Nakamura meals and prices by Squidster in Mall of Asia:


Squidster, Mall of Asia.  Haven’t tried these.

For those who didn’t catch the November 17 airing of Imbestigador, they did an expose about the source of these frozen squid being used by the streetfood vendors in coming up with their marketable calamares.  

In Ayala
Calamares sold at Ayala Ave. 

These are imported from Korea, Spain and China by (some authority that we do not know) and are warehoused in VIFEL-2 in Navotas, which is temporarily closed as of the moment.  According to the warehouse personnel, there are several companies who are patronizing these produce/stocks.  Per Fisheries Administrative Order Number 195 , Section 2, retail selling of these is prohibited in the Philippines.

It is not being maarte.  But let us al be cautious.  And it is not all about making a living.  But be a fair entrepreneur – whether you’re a street vendor or not.  How sure are we that some of the establishments are not sourcing from these featured frozen squid?

These imported frozen squid are selling at PhP60/kilo, while squid locally grown in the Philippines are at PhP250/kilo.  A street vendor claimed on national television that they profit at PhP2,500/day on the average.  And the horror of this:  the frozen squid bears Yeast and Mould count of 2,500.  Isn’t that eeeeeew?

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Sugarnot, SM Megamall Branch.

I  missed going to the mall.  After the mall mayhem on October 19, it was only yesterday that I resumed my interest and found courage to go inside a mall, which also has a possible poopoo saturation level issue that would be blasting sooner or later.  Well, I’m not singling out any establishment, not being a pessimist also, but it is human to feel extracautious after an untoward incident.

After a visit to a client based in Ortigas, I went to SM Megamall to do my last minute shopping in the spirit of Halloween/ All Soul’s Day which traditionally I observed in Laguna.  I bought a combination of stylish and simple candles, spooky toys, pumpkin jar containing pumpkin marshmallows and other candies, etc.  These are distributed/shared to my younger nephews and nieces while at the cemetery.  This is one of the few occasions that give families and relatives a chance to spend candid time with each other.  At the cemetery, I got to see long lost dear ones also – former elementary and highschool friends, and many others.

After the tiring long queue at the cashier I wanted some quietness and decided to dine in Sugarnot.  I found the perfect time to try the low-fat, low-carb, sugar-free food that Eli Beltran (the owner) offers.  



Pumpkin soup, PhP78.

Well, nothing so unusual with the taste.  It was pretty like pumpkin (laughs)!  I like the top.  Surprisingly, this is the only spooky food they prepared.


Pasta arrabbiata, PhP158.They say that this is sundried, mixed with tomato and spicy red sauce.  I rarely appreciate pasta.  But, I am pleased this time.  This really tastes good!  I think the bread was not a garlic one.  It brings no after-taste, so I wonder what they put here.  It is like they made a difference by matching the pasta with a non-garlic on the side.

 


Ultimate temptation, PhP158.  One of the newest flavors.This is a belgian chocolate cake with truffle filling and drizzled with caramel and white choco frosting.  There is plenty of cake flavors to choose from.  I learned from the reviews that their Tiramisu is very good but I was intrigued by the cake’s name, “Utimate Temptation” because there is also one named “Last Temptation”.  Hence, the choice. 

 


Good choice.  Loved this till the last bite!

Branches:
*Westgate Alabang
*5F SM Megamall
*5F The Podium
*Labaire Building, Makati
*3F The Block, SM North

For franchise, call them at +63 2 8893427.  Email at info@sugarnot.com.ph.  Website:  www.sugarnot.com.ph
 

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