Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Mushroom and Baby Spinach Pasta Easy Recipe

Olive Oil
Sliced Shiitake mushrooms
Chopped Garlic
3 Tablespoons Butter
1 Packed Baby Spinach
1 Lemon (Juiced)
salt and pepper, to taste
250g pasta of your choice

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat then add the oil. Fry the mushrooms until golden brown. Add garlic and butter and fry until the garlic is cooked (do not burn). Throw in the washed spinach. Add the cooked pasta. Splash lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir. Served Hot :)

Mushroom and Baby Spinach Pasta Easy Recipe 

VERDICT
ABBEY: This is another creation of my Baby Wilma. Pasta with mushroom and spinach in olive, boring? No it is not. This simple dinner is delicious and packs a lot of flavour. 

Maybe not your ordinary pasta flooded with tomato sauce and meatballs but it is good to divert from the usual from time to time. 

Next, maybe tuna or salmon can join the party.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Inferno Singapore (2016 Film) - Dan Brown

ABBEY: This is the third installation of Robert Langdon's story; the main character of the novels by Dan Brown. 

It started in the hospital where Robert was being treated. He is having trouble remembering what transpired the past 48 hours and having visions and weird dreams. He doesn't even remember the word for coffee :) But just as puzzle-solver he is and with his skills regarding the arts, he is able to decipher it and save the world. There maybe wrong guesses and interpretation of information but all fell into places before the inferno strikes. 

Like the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, this movie made me appreciate the arts more and the secret passageways on museums :)


Shaw Theatres Singapore Inferno Movie Booking Confirmation

WILL: The first book I read that was written by Dan Brown is the Deception Point. Oh! I have no intention to put it down unless my eyes screaming at me so I can put them to slumber. Haha. Then, Abbey surprised me of the boom Inferno. :) And for the second time, I watch a movie that I have read. Ha!

It just validated by imagination while reading Inferno. But I cannot help myself to smile at myself because I know what will happen next. Crazy right? 

Anyways, I enjoyed the movie!

Sunday, October 23, 2016

TEDxNTU (Singapore) 2016: Through the Looking Glass

ABBEY: I registered late for this event due to my schedule getting changed at the 11th hour. And I got a reply that I'm on the waiting list. I was hesitant to come as I know the event will be fully packed and going there and being told that there is no room for more will be disappointing. But still I pushed for it and luckily I got in. TEDx NTU welcomes walk-ins. Yey!

We were there 20 minutes early. From the start until the end, all the talks and ideas are all worth spreading. From reptiles to genes to water. What struck me the most is the talk from Raj Singh. He talked about the life of foreign workers for households and construction. They all endure the hardships, struggles, sacrifices and criticisms just to send money back to their families back home. It gave me more awareness of how they are being treated and how they should be treated.

I hope I can attend more TED events or can be the one who will stand in that red circle.

 TEDxNTU (Singapore) 2016: Through the Looking Glass Team
WILL: Be careful what you wish for...this is the best part of unrelentless praying and murmuring your wants and needs to ALMIGHTY. One prayer was granted..again. To attend a live TED talk. 

Why would I submerge myself in telenovelas (sorry I am not fond of it) when I could pick some brains of experts in their fields? TEDx was held at NTU one Saturday and Abbey's classmate send the invite for us months before. No second thoughts, I registered. 

What's the best part I have learned? From Dr. Chris Cummings, communication can break us apart. Dr. Jørgen Schlundt  verified Abbey and I thinking that people are getting sick because of the chemicals we are putting in our food and feeds given to domesticated livestocks.  Akshobh Giridharadas, "yellow journalism" is all over the web. A catchy/fear spreading title but nothing special inside. Investigative journalism is dying because of this non-sense news that lurks in social media sites. Yamini Bhaskar fear can be unlearned (okay I will work on that) and Raj Singh made my tear flow while seeing seeing his short video about workers here in Singapore. 

An-eye opening experience. Ideas worth to think of. Ideas worth sharing! Thanks NTU for the free TEDx, free lunch and high tea (never get the chance to taste the food or drinks served, don't worry it is okay), free goodie bag! Till next year's TEDx.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Will's First Personal Finance Talk

ABBEY: Wilma gave her talk last October 1. Her topic? "How to get what you want?". Simple question with simple answer: Know what you want and get it. But do you really know what you want? And are you doing actions to get it? Watch the video and please take action.




WILL: 
"One thing at a time", that is our motto in goals we are eyeing to. After Abbey's talk last June on how to change your perspective in life, kuya Rex scheduled me for October's Finance Talk. It's time to give back. 

I do hope that I have enlightened some and have encouraged them to what I have discussed to achieve their goals. 

Abbey and I found some men that wants to invest on our future project. Yey! 'Till next time. I am looking forward to pitch our projects to qualified investors some day. :) 

Enjoy the video.



Saturday, October 1, 2016

Rev Up Singapore! - Thursday Pit Lane Experience 2016

ABBEY: We were able to secure tickets for 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Pit Lane experience. And we went there with my brothers-in-law. 

At the entrance, we were given glowing wrist straps; very cool design. Like any other Night Race eve, merchandises, food and drinks were being sold. Free temporary tattoos, podium stage replica photo ops were there also. The Koi Boys gave us wonderful performance before the circuit is open. 

The purpose of the colored wriststraps is for crowd control which is a nice improvement so people will not queue up for so long and not enjoy the live entertainment at the Village Stage. We also got a chance to take snaps of the sexy showgirls of Samba Brasil. 

What I observed is that many of the team garages were closed. So what are we supposed to do on that? They're just gray walls with the name of driver of top. We're ok even only the car will be seen as the driver's appearance is rare. But a closed garage, c'mon. 

I hope it will be better next year.



Wrist Straps Bracelet Light2016 
Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix
Thursday Pit Lane Experience
WILL: Before the roaring engines of Formula 1 cars on weekends are the laughters and handclaps of fans who won a Thursday Pit Lane Experience. :) 

Wohoooo! Now, we are together with my brothers. So what's with 2016's Rev-Up Singapore? Yay, for new wrist straps bracelet light! Yay for the Koi Band from Australia and DJ who plays songs around 80's. Yay for the Brazilian Girls who welcome us on our way to Pit Lane. Hmmm, boo to close garages. C'mon, even a shadow of F1 team's single tire cannot be seen. My excitement suddenly plunged down. 

Well, I enjoyed the performers. I am expecting next year Singapore GP have something up in their sleeves that will rocked the Little Red Dot! It is their 10th year in here and I attended 3 of those! Wooohooo! Can't wait to see the performers lineup next year! :) 

Suggestion? Can you put again a Fan Zone Contest? This will excite all the ticket holders for sure!

***
Formula 1 - Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 
Thursday Pit Lane Experience 
Stay tune here to win 2017: 
http://www.singaporegp.sg/revupsingapore

Friday, September 30, 2016

Easy Minced Pork Thai Basil Recipe

Ingredients: 
500g of minced pork
5-6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 medium onion (minced)
5-6 chilli pepper (minced)
1 cup basil
1 medium lime (cut into wedges)

Sauce ratio:
2 tbs sugar : 1 tbs soy sauce : 1 tbs thai fish sauce

Mix the ingredients for sauce and have the sugar dissolved. Set aside.

Sauté onion, garlic, then chili.
Mix in the pork until it is brown in color.
Put the sauce and let it be absorbed by the pork.
Remove from heat, put in the basil and stir.
Serve with hot rice and squeeze in the lime.

Easy Minced Pork Thai Basil
VERDICT
WILL:
Abbey will not stop until it is perfect. Haha! This is his second try. 


Abbey is so excited when I got home and keep on checking if I already had my dinner. Well, he have the reason to be that enthusiast, he pull out the best Minced Pork Thai Basil I ever tasted. I can eat that for days. Bye diet! haha!

Try this recipe! Guaranteed tasty! 




Thursday, September 29, 2016

Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview (Lunch and Dinner Buffet)

ABBEY: We went here for lunch buffet with Kuya Iking. The buffet is still being setup but they already ushered us to our table. 

It was a seafood buffet and I reminded myself to be more cautious of the food. I think every dish that they can put shrimp into, they did. I had Hokien prawn mee and enjoyed it as I drizzle it with calamansi (palabok style). Also I got pasta, tuna and greek salads. Then I tried their tandoori lamb. It was delicious. For dessert I had chocolate and vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. To settle it all, I went for coffee. The staff keeps looking at us as we're resting and they keep on asking us to eat more. Maybe they thought that we don't like the buffet. To prove them wrong, we went again at Four Points, this time for dinner, 7 days after our lunch.

It was a lobster feast. Wilma's colleagues went with us and each one was given a half serving of a lobster. What I enjoyed the most are baked halibut, seafood rice, sashimi (I missed this when we had lunch), chicken in paper, and their fried shrimp with wasabi mayo. Definitely it was a feast. 

And to top the experience we got it for 50% off as I'm Starwood Preferred Guest member.


Half Portion Of Grilled Boston Lobster




Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview

WILL: We were the luckiest person in earth that we both availed the lunch and dinner buffet at Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton for 50% off. Yes! 50% off. Later I will tell you how. ;) 

I am expecting that they have almost have the similar variants on lunch and dinner but surprisingly they have different food served. 

What the best food I have tried on their lunch? It is their scallop dumpling. I almost finish the whole bunch on the steaming machine. Haha! Then on dinner, of course their lobster baked with cheese! Yummmm! Oh! Don't forget to get some gong gong. Deep fried coated shrimp and hot chocolate cake that is available on lunch and dinner buffet are the food that you shouldn't let passed. :) haha. 

So how we got the 50% off in this newly opened Four Points by Sheraton (Riverview)? Because we registered to be a member in here. It is free guys! You can use it internationally and gain points that you can redeem for free stays. Promotions are all over at SPG members and its free, you do not have the excuse not to be part of it. :) 

Register here to Starwood Preferred Guest!



***
Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview 
(A) 382 Havelock Road
(E) eatery@fourpointssingaporeriverview.com
(W) http://www.fourpointssingaporeriverview.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maison (Capitol Piazza)

ABBEY: We dined in Ma Maison restaurant at Capitol Piazza before we go to Singapore GP 2016 Pit-Lane experience. 

This is a Japanese restaurant and since I want to have a day free of fried things I chose ramen over tonkatsu. The day we went is Ramen Topping Day in which I got an additional egg topping for my bowl. 

The shoyu soup was flavorful and the noodle is firm. Along with it are bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, corn and egg. 

We were also able to chat with the branch manager and asked us to visit again or their other branches.


Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maiso's Tonkatsu Ramen Menu 
Rosu Katsu Set
Tomagu Soup Miso Tonkatsu Ramen
Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maison's Tonakatsu Menu


WILL: Me and my siblings are sucker for noodles, and that is why I scheduled a dinner in Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maison at Capitol Piazza, which will be few train stations away from F1 Pit Lane Experience. 

To my surprise, three of us went for tonkatsu meal and only Abbey ordered a huge bowl of noodles. 

What's the difference with this meal? Their meal comes with an enormous size of salad as their sides dish. Oh! They have this yummy mustard that is pretty similar taste with wasabi :). Imagine? Mustard and wasabi? My two favorite dip. ;) 

And. And. And! The heartwarming people who are there to fill-up the cup with complimentary cold tea. :) Their Filipina manager introduce us also on different promotions not only on that branch but also on their other stores too. 

Thanks guys! See you again!


***
Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maison (Capitol Piazza)
(A) 13 Stamford Road #B2-51 Capitol Piazza (City Hall MRT)
(F) https://www.facebook.com/mamaisonsg


Monday, September 26, 2016

BWB - Burgers, Wings, Bar - Orchard Central

ABBEY: I once heard from a seminar to celebrate your successes and yes we did. 

We went to Burgers vs Wings + Bar at the 11th storey of Orchard Central. Chat got promoted and we got US visas. I got their recommended classic heavyweight burger. The works? Angus beef patty, fried egg, tomato, bacon, chilli con carne, onions, cheese where in between the buns. It is huge and I need to take it down. The chilli con carne gave a unique taste on the burger. We also have hickory-smoked barbecue wings. Don't be fooled by its reddish color which you think it is so spicy. They are sweet and has a bit of spice. I think it is not Burger vs Wings. They teamed up to knock me down. Haha.


BWB Burgers, Wings, Bar (Orchard Central Branch) - Promotion Menu

BWB Burgers, Wings, Bar (Orchard Central Branch) - Menu

BWB Classic Heavyweight Burger

Hickory Smoked BarbecueWings 

Handpressed Burger With Cheese (with Fries) 

Celebrating Promotion and US Visa Approval :) 

WILL: We are on a habit to celebrate even to the smallest accomplishment we are achieving and when we dined at Burgers, Wings, Bar (BWB) at Orchard Central, we are there to merry-make about Chat's promotion and our Tourist US Visa Approval

This restaurant is located at 11th floor and when you just make few steps at the elevator, you will be awed by the sight of new and old buildings around the area. 

Back to the BWB food. I went for its lunch promotion (it is still available even on holidays) which is Handpressed Burger with Cheese for $11.90. (comes with fries and drinks). We requested for all well-done patties. It is tasty and you can distinguish immediately the taste from fastfood burgers. 

Well recommended. This is a beautiful place specially on night time, perfect for romantic dates. Wink-wink! Haha!



***
BWB Burgers, Wings, Bar
(A) 181 Orchard Road, #11-03/04, Orchard Central, Orchard Central
(F) https://www.facebook.com/BWBSingapore
(H) 12PM - 10PM

Friday, September 23, 2016

FREE Useful Travel Itinerary Template

FREE Useful Travel Itinerary Template by Abigail Lapuz-Austria

Planning your travel is a necessity. In this, you can avoid as much as possible any hassles that can be experienced while you are on your dream vacation in Singapore.

This Travel Itinerary Template is very detailed. From the budget that you need to save for the said trip up to toiletries, medicines and gadgets paraphernalia that you need to pack.

THIS FREE! Hoping that this template will help you in your intensive planning in touring Singapore.

See you soon!


Thursday, September 22, 2016

Ben & Jerry's Singapore Core Line-Up - (Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Core / Brownie Batter Core)

ABBEY: Ben & Jerry's have two new flavors for their core series : brownie batter and cookies & cream cheesecake. First time I saw them, I planned to get them for Wilma. After spoiling her night, nothing beats two pints of ice cream to say sorry. 

They were delicious. But I like the brownie batter more. It is gooey and chocolatey. Every spoonfol of that sweety goodness is an indulgence. Make sure to drink water after. 

Worth every calorie. Haha.



WILL: I am well-known to be notorious in delaying gratification but Abbey is all out on spoiling me. Here ye! Here ye! After almost a year of my "next time..next time" Abbey bought this Ben & Jerry's Core Line. 

I do not like the cheesecake core. The taste is not close to cheesecake. The brownie batter core is way too sweet (Abbey loves it). 

This Ice Cream Line is of course more expensive than the simple flavours, but I rather go for simplicity. 

Anyways, thanks Abbey for letting me try this!



***
Ben & Jerry's Singapore
(A) 20 Pasir Panjang Road, #06-22 Mapletree Business City Singapore 117439
(E) contact.uspl@unilever.com
(W) http://www.benjerry.com.sg

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Chicken Liver Curry Recipe

Ingredients:
300-400 grams of chicken liver (cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces)
2 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp chicken 65 or chicken tikka powder
1 medium tomato (finely chopped)
1 onion (finely chopped)
1 tsp turmeric powder
Few leaves of coriander
Few leaves of curry leaves

Sauté onion, tomato, coriander and curry leaves. Once tomato is already melted, put on ginger-garlic paste, chicken 65. Put on the liver along with a cup of water. Cover with lid.
Simmer until the sauce thickens.
Top with fresh coriander and fried curry and serve with rice.

Chicken Liver Curry Recipe
Chicken Liver Curry
VERDICT
WILL: When we were at the Banana Leaf Apolo, I saw one dish at their menu and because we may not finish all what we ordered, I just requested Abbey to cook it for our next week’s dinner. That is the Chicken Liver Curry.

Abbey surprised me with basmati rice and papadum on the side. Well, what can you expect on Abbey’s cooking? Yummy! Our house was filled of curry’s aroma! 

Try to cook it too!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Sotanghon Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
7-8 garlic (some chopped / some minced)
2 chicken breast (boiled and shredded - do not put salt when boiling and set aside the broth)
2-3 stalks of spring onions
1 medium onion (chopped)
sotanghon
annatto (atsuete) seeds/powder (soaked in hot water for coloring) 
chicken cubes

Fry the chopped garlic and then set aside.
Chope the spring onions and set aside.
Soak the sotanghon to hydrate.
Sauté onion, garlic, then chicken.
Put the chicken broth and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Put the chicken cubes upon boiling.
Filter the sotanghon and put a portion in the bowl.
Soak it with the soup. Garnish with spring onions and frid garlic.

Sotanghon Soup Recipe
Abbey's Sotanghon
VERDICT
WILL: Sheng Shiong gave us a free item! Yey! A pack of rice vermicelli! Then an idea came to me why not use it to cook Sotanghon. I suggested it to Abbey and on instance, he made it for me to satisfy my cravings. 

How good it is? It is like home! Chicken broth surfaced and gave a magnificent taste in totality. Tasty! 

Now I am wondering, is there any food my husband cannot cook for me? Hmmm...

Monday, September 12, 2016

Marché Mövenpick Singapore - 313@somerset

ABBEY: I remember the first time I went to Marché. I was totally confused. Maybe amazed of how the system works and there are lots of options to choose from. So when we visited their branch at Somerset I am now focused. I circled the whole restaurant. They have sausages, steaks, paella, crepes, etc. 

What I got is roasted chicken (half) with baked potato. It was delicious. The chicken is moist and no blood. Every spoonful of baked potato with sour cream and bacon bits is sumptuous and this made me full after dinner.


Marché Mövenpick Singapore - 313@somerset
Marché Guest Card 
Marché Mövenpick Singapore - 313@somerset
Roasted Chicken Crepe

Marché Mövenpick Singapore - 313@somerset
Roasted Chicken with Baked Potato

WILL: This is the third time to eat at Marché Movenpick and I am asking myself and Abbey why we do not have a recorded journal on this on our blog. I wonder why. Well, moving on. This time we visited their 313@Somerset branch. (We ate before at VivoCity)

After our unforgettable facial at Spa Symphony, we went to first floor of 313@somerset and shocked to found out how long the queue is Barrio By Mex Out. Then we decided to skip that idea and dine at Marché. Around 3minutes we were guided to their restaurant which is located underground (interesting right). 

It is like space travel because of the restaurant's ambiance. As if you were teleported in an instant at Switzerland. 

We were given a card and you will use it to order your food. :) 

I went for roasted chicken crepe. Its bell pepper sauce is amazingly good. In honesty, this time I do not want to share even a bite to my husband (sssh) haha! That's how good it is.

People working in there are very positive that they transmit it to their dining customers. No wonder many people keep on coming back in here even there are new restaurants keep on sprouting everywhere. Way to go Marché and its staff! 


***
Marché Mövenpick 313@somerset
Level 1, Discovery Walk, 313 Orchard Road
(E) 313somerset@marche-restaurants.com
(W) http://www.marche-restaurants.com/en

(H) Monday to Thursday: Restaurant 11:00 – 23:00 / Bakery 07:30 – 23:00
    Friday: Restaurant 11:00 – 24:00 / Bakery 07:30 – 24:00
    Saturday: Restaurant 10:00 – 24:00 / Bakery 07:30 – 24:00
    Sunday: Restaurant 10:00 – 23:00 / Bakery 07:30 – 23:00

Friday, September 9, 2016

Banana Leaf Apolo – Since 1974 (Little India)

ABBEY: Before heading to LTA Gallery for our visit, we had our lunch first at Banana Leaf restaurant at Race Course Road. 

The place was almost full and the staffs were busy attending to guests need. We placed our order via their interactive menu (iPad). Since it was packed, the order was delayed for a couple of minutes. Good thing the soda came early. 

I had chicken briyani. For the price, the serving is small compared to other Indian restaurant I've been but it is full of flavor. We also had another bowl of papadum for 2SGD. I think the restaurant will appeal mostly to foreigners and visitors of Singapore.


Banana Leaf Apolo – Since 1974 (Little India) Chicken Briyani
Chicken Briyani
Banana Leaf Apolo – Since 1974 (Little India) Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala
Banana Leaf Apolo – Since 1974 (Little India) - menu
Receipt at iPad
WILL: After my Saturday work, we took our lunch at Banana Leaf Apolo. It is one of the most popular Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Singapore. But the question, is it the best? 

All seats are almost occupied when we reached around 1:30PM. Not more than 10 minutes when they guided us to our seat. 15 minutes after we gave our orders, the food was served. 

Anything special on their food? As my memory and taste buds serves me right..none. Maybe it is famous because it is one of the oldest/first. 

'Till our next food hunt! Thanks for visiting our blog!


***
BANANA LEAF APOLO
Race Course Road Branch:
54 Race Course Rd,
(E) enquiry@thebananaleafapolo.com
(W) http://thebananaleafapolo.com/

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Singapore Land Transport Gallery

ABBEY: The Land Transport Gallery exhibits how the transport system in Singapore evolved to what it is now. 

We hop on to the "train" and go back in time. The first phase shows the early public vehicles used for transport. It includes old models of buses and taxis. 

The next phase gave us a glimpse of the tickets given by the conductors and also the driver information cards. Then the works began on the next phase. As there is scarcity in space, Singapore dug tunnels to cater expressways and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).  With this, the traffic flow is more manageable and efficient. 

We were guided to an auditorium where we were shown situations that need our opinions in terms of votes. Would you rather build more roads so less traffic or build more playground and malls for people to use? Would you prefer MRT to be built near your home where there will be noise or ride a bus before you're able to get to MRT? Would you rather take public transportation where seat is not guaranteed or drive your car and not have guaranteed parking spot on the place you're going to? These are the same situations Singapore considered when developing the system. There is no right or wrong answer. It only shows that there will be trade offs if you take one of the steps and everybody should accept that to move forward.

Singapore Land Transport Gallery Different EZ-Link Cards
Different EZ-Link Cards
Singapore Sample Car Plates
Singapore Sample Car Plates
Singapore Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Singapore Land Transport Strategies
Land Transport Strategies
WILL: One of Singapore's pride. The way they develop their public transportation over the years. To learn where to go in future you need to acknowledge the past and that is the reason we visited Land Transport Gallery. 

Guided tour is FREE for everyone. Like other tours we have encountered, it is fun and educational...oh, there is an exam before you go out of the gallery. So better listen! :) 

Videos are not allowed inside but photos are permitted. Well, what I can say with LTA? They are doing their job in a fast-pace! 

Till the next inauguration of new MRT line LTA! Cheers! 



***
Land Transport Gallery (Singapore)
(A) No 1 Hampshire Road Block 1 Level 1
(H) *Mondays to Saturdays: 9am to 5pm (Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)
(W) https://www.lta.gov.sg/ltgallery/index.html

For Booking: Send email to ltgallery@lta.gov.sg with the following details.
Name of Organisation (if any):
Preferred date of tour:
Preferred tour time:
Number of pax:
Name of Coordinator:
Contact Number of Coordinator: