I improve a bit at cooking using the right seasonings

I absolutely love my time in the kitchen 👩‍🍳, but not every dish I recreate turns out very good! 🙈

Whether cooking a dish or baking 🧁🥘, for sure I have failed a handful of times and totally messed up the end product. 😅

But nonetheless, I still eat, I still crave a certain type of food, and I will still absolutely try my luck in the kitchen! 🍳❤️

Cooking is actually one of my favorite hobbies 🍽️. It has always been in my rotation of the things I love to do. At any given point, you will either see me writing a blog 📝, crocheting 🧶, and, of course, cooking! 🍲

So, this is it—my newfound seasonings that are quite pricey 🧂💸!

I really stopped myself from trying these seasonings at first because I thought: What if the taste is similar to what I used to buy before and I just waste my money? 🤔

I have bought seasonings in the past that were tasteless and clumped up easily 🥴. Even though the container was quite good and hashtag goals for a grown-up woman like me 💁‍♀️, I kept buying these junk seasonings over and over, and they seemed to fail me every time (shoutout to McCormick 🤫🙈).

Then, I happened to see these Badia seasonings at SM Hypermarket 🛒, and I thought, maybe I'll try a small container. The price was quite a big jump from the usual seasonings I bought before 🏷️, so let’s see if this will fail me again or not!

I decided to get the basic spices: onion 🧅, garlic 🧄, and paprika powder 🌶️. Once I tried them, I was happy to announce that my food's taste improved! 🎉 It turns out this is one of the things I should always have on hand to make my cooking better. 👩‍🍳👌

The ultimate test for this was when I cooked a simple fried rice 🍚🍳.

My baseline for fried rice is the one I buy outside, which always has MSG or Magic Sarap to enhance the flavor. It’s yummy, yes, but I opt to avoid MSG as it doesn't have a good effect on my memory 🧠💡.

I know many of you will agree that simple fresh garlic & fry your rice just isn't comparable to the fried rice you buy outside 🏬🍚.

So, when I put onion powder on the rice, added a little bit of garlic powder at the end, and just a pinch of salt... the taste of the fried rice was perfect! 🤤👌 I tell you, it was perfect—and knowing it doesn't have MSG or Magic Sarap is such good news! 🙌

Here’s why it’s a total win: 

1️⃣ It tastes good! 😋 

2️⃣ You have full control over the ingredients and can make sure you don't put in any chemicals you can't even pronounce! 🚫🧪

A total win! 🏆

Here are a few quick tips on how I use them:

🧅 Onion Powder: I tend to use the onion powder first because it leaves an umami taste. If you put just the right amount, it somehow gives a hint of sweet taste that isn't sugar. I loved it so much that I ended up buying a big container of it! It gets consumed very fast because it is just so good! 🪹

🧄 Garlic Powder: This one is super potent, so be careful with how much you put! For my personal taste, two dashes go a long way, and I always add it right at the end ⏱️.

🌶️ Paprika: I use paprika more for the color. The taste is really different from Spanish paprika—I feel like Spanish paprika has that biryani vibe that most Filipinos aren't as used to. I use it mainly for color without making the dish taste heavily like paprika, just something to blend into the overall flavor 🥘.

I so love Badia seasonings! 💕

I feel like spending 100 plus pesos on a small bottle of spices is totally worth it !

And that is it! 😊 These are my arsenals for cooking 🧂🍳. I am looking forward to spending more time in the kitchen, honing my skills to be a better cook! 👩‍🍳💖

Thank you for reading all the way! 📖🥰👋

                                            

Check out this Simplus grinder. I use this to grind my own beef for burger & believe me, it makes a big difference. 

Link for that grinder is here. Shopee Link 

2026 Skincare Update_ how to be put together all day

This is my 2026 skincare routine—relearning my skincare 🧖‍♀️. The reason I have to specifically say "relearning my skincare" is because I feel like I am not aging gracefully 😭💔. I am devastated and alarmed 🚨. I know I have to do something now. Now that I am in my late 30s, I can't delay this anymore! ⏳💥

You may look back at my previous post here 💆‍♀️. 🔗

 2025 Relearning My Skincare Routine in My Late 30’s

I want to age beautifully , but seeing my face look saggy, oily, and flaky all at the same time leaves me devastated 😩💔.

When I look at pictures of myself, my face looks extremely wide and my double chin is becoming prominent 📸🫣. My angles are so off, and I am starting not to love my face in photos especially 🙈.

So I need to address a few things for sure. Here is what I looked into as possible root causes:

1️⃣ Hydrogen Peroxide – on my hair and my face 🧴 I know something is off with my flaky skin. I even feel like I have dandruff on my eyebrows! 🪞 I am absolutely horrified 😱. Who gets dandruff on their eyebrows?! 🤷‍♀️

I treat my hair and face with hydrogen peroxide when I bathe. At first, I used it two days in a row to clear up any potential fungal issues on my skin, but I now only do it once a week 🗓️. Sometimes, I wipe my face with hydrogen peroxide and leave it on overnight without washing it off 😴.

⚠️ Note: Please do not take this as medical advice. Since this involves chemicals, use your own judgment and consult a doctor to avoid any potential allergic reactions or skin damage. 👩‍⚕️🩺

2️⃣ I stopped using sunblock/tint all over my face ☀️❌ I noticed that my pictures showed a severe white cast if I used it everywhere 👻. So now, I just use it under my eyes—like an inverted triangle under each eye—so it acts as my highlighter ✨👁️.

I was horrified when I saw a picture of myself where my face looked like a ghost! OMG 😳🫣

This tint/sunblock is good, but you have to be aware of what it does to your face and be strategic with it 💡🎨.

3️⃣ Dr. Gil soap 🧼

I feel like normal soaps like Safeguard, Irish Spring, Bioderm, and Johnson’s Baby Soap don't do a thorough job 🚿. I still feel sticky after using them. So I tried this soap—it smells floral, and I actually feel clean after using it 🌸✨. Definitely worth mentioning in my opinion!

Along with aiming for beautiful skin 🪞, I also took a picture of the other products and makeup I use, to look put together, especially when I go out 📸💄.

• Hada Labo Moisturizer 🧴: This is the moisturizer I still use. I still have a big bottle and it is good for now. It might not be the absolute best, but I don't have any negative reactions to it, so it’s relatively okay for me to use! 👍

• BYS Lip Liner (Red Wine) 💄: This is a long-lasting lip liner that makes me feel put together. Paired with lip tint and blotting the excess product with tissue, it keeps my lips colorful so I don't look pale 👄.

• Careline Lip Tint 💋: This feels light on the lips, so I really need to pair it with the BYS lip liner (which I think is long-wear or kiss-proof). These two together make a great pair! It helps the color stay longer on my lips, so I stay looking presentable throughout the day 🌸.

• Estée Lauder Foundation 🎨: This doesn't quite match my skin tone—it’s a bit too dark. So instead, I just use it to cover the discoloration on my upper cheekbones or use it as a subtle contour. A little goes a very long way! 🤏

• HairFIX Leave-On (Keratin Straight) 💇‍♀️: I also added this hair product to my routine. Although the scent is a bit too strong, it makes my hair super smooth and shiny ✨. If I blow-dry my hair, the strong smell wears off a bit, and I just spray a little perfume to help mask it even more 🌸💨.

4️⃣ My Diet 🍔❌ I noticed that eating Jollibee at night makes my skin break out more 🍗🌋. So I try to avoid fast food and processed food whenever I can!

Still, homemade food is always best 🥘. Now that I understand my body more, I know I don't do well with MSG. I feel much better when I eat more beef and sardines 🥩🐟. I can tolerate chicken, but not every single day 🐔.

Minimizing the bumps on my face has already been life-changing! No amount of makeup or products can replace smooth skin 🪞✨.

5️⃣ Adding Exercises to My Routine (Jumping with Weights!) 🏋️‍♀️ I just tried this 2 weeks ago, and I feel like my neck is starting to become visible again! 🦒 Having a visible neck completely changes your face—it frames it so much better 🤳.

Every time I get off my chair, I hold a 10 lb dumbbell in one hand and do 10 jumping jacks to a count of 10 💥. I have a very sedentary lifestyle working from home—which I am super grateful for! 🙏—but a sedentary lifestyle is so bad. So, so bad for health and appearance 🪑❌.

I actually compared this to walking. From mid-June to mid-July, I was walking every other day with 1 day off per week, but it didn't change my body in the slightest 🚶‍♀️. I still looked bloated and uncomfortable 🙈.

So I tried doing 10 jumping jacks holding my dumbbell every time I stand up, and I feel like spread-out movement throughout the day is so much more responsive for my body ⚡. I haven't lost weight yet, but I feel like the bloating in my face goes away when I do this 👏.

I am actually excited to stick with this until December and see the results! 🗓️🎯 One experiment I will add is dividing my meals into 6 smaller portions 🍽️. I'm trying out the advice of a 40+ YouTuber 🎥. I feel like moving more throughout the day keeps my face from bloating, so let's see what 6 divided meals will do! I still have a tummy, so I know I need to keep working on my exercise and diet 🏃‍♀️🥗.

So wish me luck! 🤞🍀

Basically, the takeaway is, I am taking a much more holistic approach now with my skin and health! 🌿💖

That is it for now. Thanks for reading all the way. 

6 percent on Maya Savings_ boost interest

As of writing, the base rate for Maya Savings is 3%, and it is really enjoyable that you can see how much interest you earn in the app on a daily basis 📈. It is definitely a nice dopamine boost seeing your Maya Savings grow every single day! ⚡

And Maya have this challenges you can complete to boost that interest rate… well, why not take advantage? 🤔

To gain an additional 3% (reaching a total of 6%), here are the specific challenges I do:

👉 Paying via QR code -₱250 and ₱1,000. (You can see the 2% bonus and 1% bonus in the picture!)

I have always practiced paying myself first by putting money into Pag-IBIG MP2 🏦, so I just pay it through the Maya app. By doing this, I hit two goals at once! 🎯 

• 💳I pay MP2 payment  which I always do anyway for many years now- for my future 
• 📲& I got the QR code that is required for the Maya challenge to boost the interest - then I pay it via Maya App.

That's simple. Log out of Maya App then log back in and see your Interest rate boost to 6 percent.

Note: you have to do this on a monthly because the boost resets on a monthly basis.

I have a video posted on the blue app showing the step by step :) Link 

Just to be clear, this is simply a share on how I personally get the 6% rate on Maya Savings. Please don't treat this as a form of investment advice—as we know, Maya can change their terms at any time 💡. Think of this purely as a simple guide on how to maximize the rate!

⚠️ Quick heads-up: Make sure you are selecting the right challenges! Look for the ones starting with the word "Bonus." If you see Maya Easy Credit, that is not what we are after.

😊

🎁 First time using Maya? You can use my referral code  @easyrefer to get ₱50 for free! 

Lastly, there are additional 2% + 2% bonus rates if you pay ₱25,000 and ₱35,000 via QR code, but honestly, as a simple salaryman, that is way too much for a monthly bill 😅. So if you avail that 3% interest boost plus additional 4% interest boots that adds up really high. If you are a business owner, that could be a huge advantage to utilize!  

Anyway, that is it for now. Thanks for reading all the way :)

Maya referral code  @easyrefer

foods that I've been loving lately ~ real food.

You all know I am a terrible cook. 🙈 So if there are a few dishes that come out perfect — chef's kiss 😘👌 — of course I will repeat those all the time.

1. Ground Beef 🥩

I did not believe other people when they said to grind your own beef. Like, who has time for that? & who would have a meat grinder sitting around the house casually? That would make my overhead huge, since a professional meat grinder costs a bit. 💸

But time after time, I was disappointed by the meat quality I see in the market. There's a "ma- anggo" taste that just stays there- gamey unpleasant aftertaste, also, another complain I have is that although ground, it is tough when reheated. 😩

But whenever I watch videos on the cheapest, tastiest way to eat carnivore, ground beef is always on the list. I know beef is nutrient dense, so I really wanted to add this to my menu. But the tasty part always failed me.

Then I gave in. I bought a 600 peso food processor and used it as my meat grinder. 🛒 I bought the freshest beef I could find in the market — Batangas beef — trimmed the "labot" (silver skin) and sticky fat, because I noticed it gets caught in the blades, so I just remove it. Then I grind it — not overground.  Definitely not over 1 minute, because I've done that once and the meat became mushy — not the texture I'm used to. By the way, this grinder is small, so just over 500 grams fits, and that's perfect so the motor won't overheat.

To save time, I put garlic, onion powder, fresh white onion, paprika powder, sometimes bell pepper, and white pepper in one grind. 🧄🧅

Then I shape it into balls, cook it patiently one by one so I get the perfect crust, flip it, and make it a little bit undercooked, then put salt after. I find that's the key — put the salt after — and my burger is perfect even when reheated. 🍔. My burger stays Juicy and yummy, paired with caramelized onion and I add sprinkle of salt when needed, chef's kiss. 

I feel like the possibility is endless when I have this based ground beef. Imagine what other dish I can make.

I can cook;

• smash burger
• burger steak with yummy beef gravy sauce
• ground beef cheese steak
• make a meatball for spaggetti 

Photo not mine, credits to the owner. 

Photo not mine, credits to the owner

Link for that grinder is here. Shopee Link 

2. Sardines (Canned Mega Sardines, Spanish Style) 🐟

What I do with sardines: I split it in half, scrape the bones and innards aside, bring out the kawali, put 2 tablespoons of oil, and toast the sardines.

Paired with caramelized white onion and rice, I get 30 grams of protein per can, easily — very easy! It's a simple meal, packed with nutrients, and it's tasty. I love the combo of sweet onions and toasted fish, and it doesn't upset my stomach. 😋

Pro Tip: I open 4 cans at a time, toast them at once and keep the rest in a tight container. It will last for 3 days in the fridge.

3. Veggie Okoy 🥕🍤

I really love lumpia togue, but I find it very greasy and it upsets my stomach.

So I tried veggie okoy instead. I put togue (mung bean sprouts), thinly sliced white onion, squash, green onion, sweet potato, and carrots.

For the batter: achuete for color, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, flour, and cold water. (I'll try the version with ground sticky rice and flour and let you know how that goes — apparently it results in a much crispier okoy!) 🍚

Get some spiced vinegar with fresh sliced cucumber, and that's the best combo with the fried okoy.

This version still has a lot of oil — maybe 3 tablespoons — but I feel it's comparably better than what I buy outside. That's just one downside of it. But overall, it tastes really good. My craving for togue and crispiness is met, and I have the best meal ever. 🎉

Well I hope you enjoy my current meal line up. 

That is it for now, thanks for reading all the way.