It’s Christmas Deer Knot Wrap from LUSH (Php 495)
For the practical yet fashionable mom, this reusable organic cotton Knot Wrap from Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics is ideal. With an endeeringly bright and nostalgic design, this can be used to wrap gifts or add a touch of festive charm to any outfit.
Lush has introduced Knot Wraps 10 years ago, in 2009, as an alternative reusable packaging. This Christmas, Knot-Swap, a new scheme will launch in all Lush shops. Freshen up your Knot Wrap game without wasting a stitch. Swap in your pre-loved wrap and get 50% off a Lush design of the same size. The Knot Wraps for Christmas 2019 are made from either Organic Cotton or Recycled waste bottles. Waste not, want knot! For more information, please visit www.lush.com.ph
Abaca Pillowcase in Green from ANTHILL (Php 849)
This Abaca Pillow Case from Anthill Fabric Gallery is fabulous for the meticulous aunt and can enliven any room. It is made of Abaca pinanggabol (handloomed natural textile) from the Daraghuyan Tribe in Dalwangan, Bukidnon. The handloom process creates a slightly looser weave that leaves a comfortable texture and softness that deepens over time. The Abaca pillowcase is available in 5 colors.
www.anthillfabricgallery.com
Bag of Treats from ECHOSTORE (Php 629)
Filled with Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates and variations of Malagos Dark Chocolate, this “bag of treats” from ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle is the ultimate present for the kids and the kids-at-heart!
www.echostore.ph
Bamboo Tumbler from ECO HUB CEBU (Php 720)
A nice fit for the on-the-go dad or the adventurous brother, this double-walled insulated tumbler keeps any beverage hot or cold for up to 8 hours. You can have it customized and engrave a name on the body or the lid at an additional fee of Php 50 per piece.
Order via Facebook: Eco Hub Cebu
Gifts of Comfort and Joy from HUMAN HEART NATURE (Php 509)
Give the gift of natural goodness to grandma with this set from Human Heart Nature which includes Lavender Oil and balm with Rose Bouquet Hand & Foot Salve for her relaxing and pampering needs!
www.humanheartnature.com
Glass Skin Glow Set from ELLANA MINERAL COSMETICS (Php 1,148)
Now available in a special bundle, this best-selling item from Ellana Mineral Cosmetics is an essential addition to your girlfriend’s purse! It’s skin care and a setting spray in one, which contains rose and Mandarin orange extracts.
www.ellanacosmetics.com
Lazy Boy Dry Shampoo from PARALUMAN (Php 130-160)
Perfect for the vain boyfriend, this dry shampoo from Paraluman is lightweight. It contains cocoa, patchouli and seaweed to volumize, add shine, heal, reduce oiliness and dryness, and promote hair growth. It also comes with a sleek black aluminum tub that you can reuse over and over!
www.paraluman.ph
All products featured on zee.ph are independently selected by our editors.
]]>At Seda Ayala Center Cebu, they kicked off the holiday season with Feliz, in typical Filipino fashion: a night of laughter, song, cuisine, and other holiday delights.
Simbang Gabi
Held last October 25 at the Sampaguita Ballroom, Feliz showcased the hotel’s culinary expertise through a menu inspired by the holiday season. The night started off with ‘Simbang Gabi’, puto maya with sweet mango slices and a sikwate (local chocolate), reminiscent of the warmth that one experiences after attending the devotional nine-day series of masses in anticipation of Christmas.
Next was a cream of mushroom soup drizzled with rich locally-sourced cacao syrup—all from The Chocolate Queen herself, Rachel Choa—with a tortilla chip laid across the bowl.
Noche Buena
Further into the journey was the Noche Buena, slices of glazed leg of ham served with mesclun greens in lemon vinaigrette on the side and paired with a glass of Deloach California Pinot Noir to balance it out.
Halfway through, a palate cleanser was served to the guests: a coconut sorbet that had the right amount of sweetness to refresh the palate.
Back to the mains, ‘Media Noche’, perfectly-done pan-seared salmon on a bed of mashed potatoes with a Balsamic reduction. Another bottle of wine was popped to enhance the course, a Mandrarossa Viognier Le Senie from Italy.
To conclude the journey was a decadent chocolate lava cake, with sweet, spicy, and bitter chocolates from Rachel Choa. A glass of light, sweet Jack Estate M-R series Pink Moscato from South Australia capped off the night.
Throughout the meal, musical renditions of classic Christmas songs were performed by Mandaue Children’s Rondalla, led by Anthony Buenconsejo.
From Left to Right: Peter Militant, Operations Manager of Happy Living Wines; Julian Gagliardi, General Manager of Happy Living Wines; Maria Gigante, Host and Model; Gwen de la Cruz, General Manager of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; and Raquel Choa, The Chocolate Queen
It’s clear that General Manager, Gwen de la Cruz, and Marketing Director, Frances Alfafara, along with their team, put in a lot of effort to celebrate Christmas early.
Of course, the celebration doesn’t stop there. For the rest of the holiday season, guests will enjoy the hotel’s Christmas Tree—soon to light up on November 18th. On Christmas Eve, a special buffet menu will be available at P2,000, and a Christmas Lunch buffet for P1,250.
On top of these, there’s also a dazzling getaway room package, room countdown party package, and holiday sweets and treats at very affordable prices.
To ring in the new year, the New Year feast features a dinner buffet, countdown party, dinner and countdown party—the ultimate way to welcome 2020, all on Dec. 31.
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‘Tis the season again to celebrate the happiest and most wonderful time of the year—and it will always be linked to spending it with our families, friends and loved ones, at home or elsewhere in the world.
We gathered up few of our friends again and asked them how and where they’d be spending their Christmas.
One way to celebrate Christmas is simplicity, as long as it is done correctly and in order to connect in the most special way with a loved one. Xyla ‘s plan is an example of how she simply and intimately celebrates it with her boyfriend.
“I’m agnostic so I don’t really celebrate Christmas but since it’s an international holiday, I’d spend it in my partner’s place because he won’t have work that day and we made homemade dinner plans to have a date plus the kitchen looks nicer than my studio unit.”
–Xyla Dishan
Because of how busy we are, sometimes we forget the people who have been with us since we were born, our family. For example, Vincent has always been busy with his student life and ends up missing important events, and he will make sure that Christmas is the best way to spend it with them.
“This Christmas, I plan to spend it wherever my family should. Be it in the mall, out of Cebu or even at home. It’s because these past few weeks, I’ve been leaving home early and going home late and that leaves me with nearly zero time for bonding the family. I figure that this Christmas break would be the perfect time to catch up with my family and to find out how they’re doing.”
-Vincent Dior Villanueva
Speaking of busy lives, we salute people who still choose to be with their families despite thriving and studying for their dreams. Risa chooses to juggle both, no matter how challenging it is, because her family is also her strength.
“I’m going to spend time with my family in Zamboanga City while I study for my board exam this coming January. My mom usually prepares everything, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have another perfect Christmas with them. I usually receive gifts every year but not this year because I asked them to not give me anything until I pass my board exam which I hope I will. Also, I’ll make sure to give more and receive less, Merry Christmas!”
–Risa Ai
Christmas at home with parents is one of the most fulfilling time of the year, away from stress and work. While making the most out of it, we might want to celebrate it with relatives as
a reunion and have those hearty conversations. Archie wanted the traditional way of reunions as he plans to spend the Christmas season with his parents.
“I’m pretty old school so I’m spending my Christmas at my parent’s house in Talamban with my family. Share gifts, songs and cook some really good food and enjoy the healthy laughter.”
–Archie Abong
Exploration is also another way of celebrating the holidays with an appropriate budget. We rarely have the opportunity to celebrate it outside the country and Hana wanted to make a new discovery rather than a Christmas celebration.
“This year’s going to be a different because it’d be my first time not to spend Christmas at home with my loving family. I am hoping though to achieve a merry Christmas in Thailand. While Thai food is undeniably tasty, Bangkok is also known for cheap shopping experience. Perhaps my Christmas is going to be more of a food trip and shopping galore.”
–Hana Sala
It is indeed a celebration of food, travel or all the fantastic things we receive each year, but no matter how we celebrate Christmas, let’s not forget the essence of the holiday in which a child was born saved us. Love, forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation and joy are some of the important things this yuletide season. How will you spend your holiday?
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ROASTED TURKEY
1 stick unsalted butter
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 turkey
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme
1 whole lemon, halved
1 Spanish onion, quartered
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (Celsius).
Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add the zest and juice of the lemon, and the thyme leaves to the butter mixture.
Take the giblets out of the turkey, and wash the turkey inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers, and pat the outside dry. Place turkey in a large roasting pan, and liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, halved lemon, onion and garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string, and tuck the wing tops under the body of the turkey.
Roast the turkey for about 2 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Place the turkey on a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil, then rest for 20 minutes.
Slice the turkey and serve.
QUINOA STUFFING
2 cups quinoa
4 cups vegetable broth
6 cups finely diced sweet potato or butternut squash
1 large shallot, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
2 teaspoons dried sage
1 teaspoon dried cinnamon
1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt and pepper
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
Add quinoa and broth to a large pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 10-15 minutes, until all the broth has been absorbed. Removed from heat, fluff with a fork, adn allow to cool.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (Celsius).
Toss your diced sweet potatoes, shallot and garlic in a large bowl. Add spices, and salt and pepper, then drizzle with oil. Toss to combine. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Assemble stuffing by combining cooked quinoa, potatoes and pecans in a large mixing bowl. Stir together and add apple cider vinegar, rosemary and thyme. Toss to combine, and taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle magazine October 2017 edition.
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