Posted in Home and living

3 Essential Things You Should Know Before Buying Your First Kitchen Knife

A lot of homeowners would agree that a good set of kitchen knives perhaps the most beloved tool in every kitchen. Without a kitchen knife, one won’t be able to experience the real joy of cooking. However, for such an essential piece of kitchenware, we actually know very little about them. There are lots of amazing knives out there that comes different features, but here we are going to talk about the three essential things you should know before buying one, especially if you’re buying for the first time.

Know the Right Knife for You
One of the many mistakes homeowners do when buying their kitchen knives is that not knowing first the right tool their kitchen needs. For most people, probably they would go for an all-purpose knife that cuts everything from trimming meat to prepping vegetables. However, it is highly recommended that one should consider buying a knife that specially made for a specific job. One must also consider their cutting style, different kinds of knife hit the cutting board differently so buying an all-purpose knife might not suit you the best. Also, think of the looks as it can significantly affect your cooking mood because surely a good looking knife adds more fun.

Know the Right Steps in Buying Your Knife
Now let’s say you already done the first part mentioned above, then the next step would know the right steps in buying your knife. There are two significant things one should consider when purchasing a knife, first is the ‘steel,’ and the other is the ‘feel.’

There are two types of steel to choose from. First is the carbon steel, and the other is stainless steel. Carbon is a lot harder and able to keep its sharpness longer than stainless steel. However, carbon steels are more prone to corrosion than stainless steels. But thanks to modern technology today, there are now carbon steels that are now resistant to corrosion.

On the other hand, the need to feel the knife is also necessary. Who would want a knife that isn’t comfortable to hold? A good kitchen knife needs to have a perfect balance when holding. We recommend choosing one with bolsters because it will improve grip significantly thus adding more comfort.

Moreover, the length of an all-purpose knife usually is eight inches. However, you won’t need this kind of length most of the time. A longer blade is best when it comes to chopping stubborn root veggies. It will be tricky to choose which one is the right knife, but we recommend to choose the one that you feel comfortable with.

Know the Right Maintenance for Your Knife
Most of the times, homeowners don’t take knife maintenance seriously. Let’s face it, after using our knives, and we immediately throw it in the dishwasher. Doing that will only make your blade dull over time. The best method that we recommend is to wash your knife with soap and hot water every after use and quickly dry it off to avoid corrosion.

3 Effective Ways To Keep Your House Clean

Maintaining a clean house seems to be one of the biggest problems of home makers nowadays. It does not matter how many kids you have or does not have but keeping the house clean is just as hard.

Is there really an effective way and stress free way to maintain a clean house? Actually there is! Simple and small ways that is actually very effective and you won’t even think of it as part of cleaning the house. You just need to get used to it and you are all set.

3 Effective Ways To Keep Your House Clean

1. CLAYGO. Ever wonder how big school are able to maintain clean environment even without that much staff? They practice CLAYGO or clean as you go. It’s a very effective way to practice in your house.

Clean as you go when you eat. Instead of leaving small dirty dishes like plate, glass, or a spoon, wash it as soon as you are done.

Your dirty clothes goes straight to the hamper when you take a bath.

Your towel to the towel rack.

Your slippers where it is supposed to be or your shoes as soon as you got home.

2. Get rid of stuff that you no longer use. This can be tricky at first because you may need to devote time and effort sorting out. How do you know it’s time to get rid of a stuff? Answer these 3 simple questions:

  1. Expired? Yes? Throw. Not expired but not using for more 3 months (or more), give it away.
  2. When was the last time you used it? 6 months? Get rid.
  3. How to use or how it is for? Can’t remember? Throw it.

3. Use storage boxes that you can neatly stack for items that you did not throw away. Label each box you wold not have a hard time looking for it when you need it.

Say Yes to a Sparkling Christmas with May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice

Jazz up your holiday spread and make every party an exciting and joyous one with a bottle of Non-Alcoholic May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice. Whether it’s a big gathering or a party of two, no celebration is ever complete without a sparkling juice! May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice is a magnificent party-starter as it can be enjoyed by everyone to celebrate Christmas with a delicious gourmet meal as everyone snuggles by the Christmas tree and liven up the holiday spirit.

May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice is truly delightful to taste, radiating fresh and fruity flavors of Belgium’s finest and carefully selected grapes. It has no added sugar and preservatives so everyone is invited to savor the sweet taste of the grapes without guilt! This way, no one will be left out as you toast to Christmas with this wholesome, non-alcoholic sparkle that also happens to be delicious. Whether it’s a refresher for warm lunch gatherings or something that you can take to your picnics, a bottle of May Sparkling is all it takes to bring joy to the occasion.

As a versatile drink, you can also incorporate May Sparkling Grape Juice into handcrafted mocktails! Everyone loves its flexible taste that’s guaranteed to keep the good times rolling. So who says you need booze to provide the satisfying feeling of fizz and effervescence? With its spice-tinged flavor that’s made with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, your non-alcoholic drink is guaranteed a hit.

If you are looking for a Christmas gift that is fantastic but practical, May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice is a great choice! As a wholesome thirst-quencher, adding this to your Christmas gift baskets will surely make your family and friends truly grateful.

Each serving of May reflects your every joie de vivre – the joy of being with family, the joy of seeing old friends, the joy of celebrating the season. Spread the cheer, add a festive Christmas spirit to every home, and say yes to a sparkling Christmas with May 100% Sparkling Grape Juice.

*****

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods companies in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino consumers, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes house brands and exclusively distributed brands. To learn more about Fly Ace, visit www.flyacecorp.com.

May Sparkling Juice is available in leading supermarkets, and groceries nationwide.  For more updates, visit and like its official Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/MayPhilippines.

A Multi-Cultural Afternoon Tea Experience at Le Petit Soufflé

A charming escape nestled in two of Metro Manila’s busiest malls is Le Petit Soufflé, a French-Japanese inspired restaurant that puts a twist on comfort food classics. Drawing inspiration from the kitsch and class of French cafés in Japan, Le Petit Soufflé attempts to marry the best of both cuisines into a unique and memorable dining experience… one that customers are compelled to return to, time and again. In fact, their latest offering is a multi-cultural adaptation of Afternoon Tea, re-introducing this European pastime to the Manila scene.

Having recently launched the Workshop, a bespoke bakery concept within the Le Petit Soufflé branch in the Mega Fashion Hall, it comes as no surprise that a decadent set of pastries will soon be offered alongside a selection of carefully curated teas. Pastry chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla will be using their years of experience in the hotel industry to treat customers with a one-of-a-kind Afternoon Tea experience for only Php 795.

The Le Petit Soufflé French Afternoon Tea experience includes lavender lemon tea, orange and almond scones served with homemade clotted cream and orange jam, a camembert and apple tartine, cheese profiteroles, a croissant served with butter and jam, foie gras and raspberry L’opera, a salted caramel and Valrhona Guanaja cone, and fairy floss. 

The British Afternoon Tea experience includes earl grey and orange tea, macadamia and Valrhona dark chocolate scones served with homemade clotted cream and raspberry jam, a meat and pea pie, mushroom and cheese gougères, croissants with butter and jam, sticky date pudding, a strawberry truffle cone, and fairy floss.

The Japanese Afternoon Tea experience includes a matcha genmai cha, a matcha scone served with adzuki red bean paste and homemade clotted cream, furikake, chasyu and mayo tartine, a matcha and black sesame cheese puff, a croissant with butter and jam, a matcha l’opera, a red bean and cream cone, and fairy floss.

Le Petit Soufflé’s quaint twinkling lights and al fresco inspired interiors make the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon delight. It would truly not be difficult for a customer to imagine oneself in an enchanted garden in Europe sipping on a warm cup of tea, while munching on the pastries that might as well have been flown in from France, England, or Japan.

For more information on the Le Petit Soufflé High Tea experience, LIKE Le Petit Soufflé and Workshop_ph on Facebook and FOLLOW @lepetitsouffleph and @workshop_ph on Instagram.

Stay refreshed and healthy this summer with the latest innovations from Philips

While many Filipinos enjoy basking under the warm summer sun, many too dread the scorching heat that the season brings. These latest lifestyle innovations from Philips will help you stay cool and refreshed without compromising your healthy diet.

Check out Philips’ newest slow and fast juicers for quick and convenient ways to prepare your favorite thirst-quenching drinks to help get you through these long summer days:

Maximum juice, minimum fuss with Philips Viva Collection Juicer

Everything you expect from a juicer – high juice extraction, cleaning within 1 min. Treat yourself to a healthy homemade juice on the go every day.

Beat the heat with your favorite smoothies using The Avance Collection Blender

This Philips blender can handle just about anything – from fruits and vegetables to ice. Its multi-speed function will blend, crush and cut for perfectly smooth blending and any consistency you want.

Make 10% more juice with Philips Avance Collection Juicer
This juicer extracts even more juice from your fruit and vegetables. Cleaning has never been easier thanks to the innovative quick clean sieve and integrated pulp container. Treat yourself to healthy homemade juice every day!

Philips continues to bring healthy home innovations closer to more people, supporting a holistic healthy lifestyle for the on-the-go Filipino.

To find more about Philips’ healthy lifestyle innovations, log on to www.philips.com.ph