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When the longing for authentic Pinoy dishes strikes in the U.S., Isla Grand stands ready to transport your taste buds back to the Philippines.

Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...

How to Invite in Your Facebook Page in Your Community?

You're inside and have liked Carmina Lifestyle Page you feel you would like to invite your friends click Community you will see this on the picture displayed on the portion that say's Invite Friends to Like This Page click Invite Friends in color blue . You will see this page just like the picture shown Invite People there will be a list of friends from your contact list click which ones you would like to invite or search up their names there will be blue check mark next to their name click send invite on the lower bottom of your screen. You're set and have sent your invite later it will appear in your screen those who have accepted your invite to view Carmina Lifestyle Page. Thank you for your support!     

How to Like a Facebook Page?

  Ever since I started my personal blog and linked it to my Facebook Page I realize there are among lots of people who have a difficult time to understand how to like a Facebook Page there are many people who get frustrated and want to learn but have a difficult understanding. For months I have been asking to like and to follow my Carmina Lifestyle Page I have sent invite to like it when someone will like what I have post and those who are less active will accept it on a long run and others are confused how it really works. I wish there was an explanation how to do it for those who have a difficult time so I found my way to show it to other people who have been apart of my Carmina Lifestyle I have sent it through Facebook Messenger for them to watch a video and to click like by instructing them what to do. I will invite that person to Carmina Lifestyle for them to accept it. There are a lot of people who get confused what I am telling but through patience so far it has worked well ...

Lartizan Boulangerie French Bakery in the Philippines

  I wanted to try a different bakery in the Philippines every time I would order in another bakery they would always call up to inform me that their product is no longer available and their website is not updated by their inventory. I came across to find  Lartizan  Boulangerie French Bakery which is known to be the Marketplace of Rustan's  for bread and pastries to try unfortunately most breads we're not available during the afternoon when I had placed my order through Grab Food. I was able to try their apple turnover and it taste exactly like the apple pie I eat back home in California too bad they only had one piece available. The picture shown on the top page is the apple turnover this is how it looks when it is sliced in the middle Cinnamon Raisin Crisp Forest Ham & Cheese Croissant I was able to buy their original ciabatta (whole) and slice it on my own when it arrived to place in a Tupperware to prevent it getting hardened to keep it airtight. What I wanted...

New Flavors Lychee + Rose and Calamansi + Ginger + Honey from Rite 'n Lite

My favorite fruit has always been lychee and anything that comes in the market made by lychee I don't hesitant to try new products made from different food makers. The advantages living in the Philippines when you see something new in the market you can always find it in the internet through online shopping from being lockdown I have been a smart to find good deals online when something catches my eye. By the time this pandemic ends I have tried new food and I know which ones taste the best from being health conscious we still get to appreciate other food that comes in the market. I am also found of ginger, calamansi and honey might as well try it a soda version to see how it will taste. My motive is if I cannot explore by travel why not venture through food this time around I decided to purchase food that comes out in our social media to test myself to see what they say is true in their advertisements. I have tried the lychee and Rose my outcome it taste like medicine may be for o...

Sinigang na Kunduli sa Miso Recipe

  Manang V teased me saying she is cooking my favorite it is alien our dinner is kunduli it is the family of hito in English is catfish cooked in miso soup only difference it is a white fish the hito is color black. Manang V was cooking it I asked her if she also eat kunduli she said no. I asked why she said it looks scary look like a snake. I asked her even before you have never tried tasting it. Manang V said, yes, I only taste the soup based but never the fish. I teased Manang V than that is also your favorite food since you always tease me when you’re cooking hito. Sinigang na Kanduli sa Miso Recipe: Ingredients: 2 - Fresh Kanduli Fish 1 - Sinigang Mix 1 - Onion (quarters) 4 - Ripe Tomato (quarters) 1/4 Kilo - Mustard Leaves 3 pieces - Long green chili peppers 8 Cups - Water 2 - Tbsp - fish sauce (patis) 8 Cups - Water 1 Cup - Fresh Miso Cleaning Kunduli before cooking: Place the kunduli in a bowl rub salt on the skin of the fish to remove the slimy feel on the skin tha...

Giving Out Suggestions to New Sellers

You come across new sellers selling in Shopee an online shopping application used on your phone or online store to purchase items to be delivered to your home. I've come across from new sellers who are new in selling items online and having it shipped out. There is one coincidence the item has leaked out and the can has a bump on the end from the being handle during the delivery. I suggested to the seller to place a card board border in between the can it will not hit each other when it gets delivered to her other customers this way the seller will not receive bad comments and will not lose any cost in her items they are selling. New sellers are new at their business I don't mind suggesting what can be done to improve what they ship out and the best part in saying what need to be changed they take it out by offering a new freebie in your next purchase in the future. I have received an item that was spoiled and it is not yet expired no matter what you to inform the seller in ord...

Food Calling

Can food really call you up to tell you to eat them? Can you control yourself when you see food in front of you? Can you resist yourself and limit how much portion you can eat once you do eat what food is calling you? Food you see and you feel they are calling you it is psychological in your brain thinking the food is calling you it is when you cannot control yourself in eating the food you see in front of you. Food calling is a disorder when you feel you want to eat more than what you're suppose to consume. I have never thought food can call you up I know you can look at food but to me I can control myself from eating something that is front of myself. Each person can control themselves when food is in front of them but there are people who cannot they feel they need to go over board until they eat too much and their stomach is about to explode. Everyone learn based on their own experience either they learn not to do it again or they repeat do it as a bad habit.

Silent Admire

You come across people who admire you from a distance these kinds of people don't tell you up front that they admire who you are but do it silently. Ever since I started my blog and it has started to be recognize by the public by my face and who I am silent admire has been popping up with comments with like and stickers sent through them. We live in a society where some people would prefer not to be known who they are we may have other people who just glance at us with no like or comment they just like to look at you or notice you have been posting a my story in your daily life. I have been promoting Carmina Lifestyle for a reason I will let you know but till this point I have come across with unique accounts that are not my like and followers they have eyeing on my story and whomever you are at least you know I exist and whenever you plan to enter my site your welcome you can exit anytime no one will control you if you feel you are no longer interested in what you see. I a...

Beef Nilagang with Native Corn Recipe

In every recipe you can change it around instead of using potato you can add corn or banana to your dish to have a different flavor in your soup. This time Manang V decided to add native corn from the Philippines in our beef nilagang in replacement of our potato. Beef Nilagang Soup Recipe : Ingredients : 1/2 Kilo Beef (cut in cubes) or Beef Briskets 1 - Onion (quartered) 2 - Pieces Garlic (chopped) 2 - Pieces Native Corn (remove from husk and cut 3 pieces) 1 - Tsp Peppercorns 4 - Tbsp. Patis (fish sauce) 1 - Small cabbage (quartered) 4 - Cup water or beef stock 1 - Beef cube  Small amount cooking oil Medium Pot Step 1: Cooking Instructions: In a medium pot add small amount cooking oil in medium heat Add onion, garlic and fish sauce to sauté Add beef and peppercorn Add four 4 water or beef stock Add corn and cabbage Let it cook for one hour in low heat. Taste it and you can add salt to your taste.   NOT SPONSORED. Subscr...

Fried Hito Recipe

This favorite fish of my family living in the Philippines to me it look like a snake in English ir is called Catfish.  Fried Hito Recipe: Ingredients: 2 - Pieces Fresh Hito (clean and slice 3) Salt Cooking Oil Prepare Hito: Cleaning Instructions: To clean the hito/catfish squeeze calamansi or lemon and drizzle juice inside the fish's cavity. Rub the calamansi or lemon with salt and rub all over the hito/catfish. Let t stand until salt has evaporated to the hito/catfish. Rinse well  Cut hito/catfish 2 inch thickness. Cooking Instruction: Step 1: Heat oil on pan place the hito/catfish cook until slightly brown on both sides.  Drain on a strainer. NOT SPONSORED. Subscribe @ Carmina Lifestyle YouTube Channel  a place to look, discover and share. Thank you for your support.  

Write Them Off

The friends you have that are in your friend zone does something against you or gives you stress some people write them off from their list of friendship when they feel they are giving you too much stress and don't need to add stress into their life. We come across from different terms people use when they want to disconnect themselves from our friend's list some use write them off, unfriend, banned and block them from your life for good. Did you ever look how many friends you have in your contact list on your social media account? Do you communicate with your entire friend's that is on your list? Do they follow you or like whatever you post on your social media? Are they even active? Do you ever check your list of friends and later friend out they have deactivated their account no longer have a face in their profile picture? Today, I went to look at my contact list that was in my social media I came across a lot of family and friends I no longer have connection...

Lick Ice Tea Made in the Philippines

  Mango is the favorite fruit known in the Philippines and other than eating it fresh you can drink it from a bottle from Lick Ice Tea made in the Philippines. The Island Mango Juice is not thick and rich what normally when I have tasted other mango juice sold else where it taste refreshing to feel you're in a tropical island. I had purchase Lick Ice Tea Made in the Philippines from  Food Source Ph  Online Shop Shopee Philippines for PHP 128.00 ($2.56) not including shipping and handling. Note: I am not selling Lick Ice Tea made in the Philippines. I was just curious on it's taste something I would buy and try other products.

Nut N' Else Wow Kasoy

  For the nut lovers and want to put a kick to your nuts add some flavor to it why not try Nut n Else Wow Kasoy with Garlic taste so yummy. We know garlic is healthy for us and here in the Philippines most nuts have garlic in our peanuts to eat it the healthy way of living. You cannot eat garlic alone you can eat it with your cashew nuts. I made my purchase at  Food Source Ph  Online Shop Shopee Philippines for PHP 99.00 ($1.98) not including shipping and handling. Note: I am not selling Nut' N Nice Wow Kasoy just curious of their product. If you have a Facebook click subscribe Carmina Lifestyle - Home | Facebook a place to look, discover and share.

100% Organic Coco Natura Coco Syrup

I was excited to try my 100% Organic Coco Nature Coco Syrup to eat with my pancake for breakfast I felt if it was a healthy way of eating it would taste really good.  The outcome was it tastes like a coco jam that you spread on your bread it wasn't something I had expected from the taste it was too sweet over powering when I had combined it with my pancake. It was too sweet for me and I am not into sweets. If you love coco jam spread on your bread you will enjoy it more than me. I asked Manang V and Gina to try it who knows it may taste differently to them. Manang V said she would rather put it in her pandesal than eat it on a pancake. Gina said it was sweet but she can manage eating it with pancake. Everyone really had different taste buds on how they want to eat the 100% Organic Coco Nature Coco Syrup you can see and taste it for yourself if you would like to try it for yourself. To find other products they sell you can refer to their site: https://www.facebook.com/ilovecoconatur...

Vegetari Healthy Bites Sunakku Seaweed Cracklings

  Do you love to eat seaweed as a snack? I have tried several other brands before in the past that also makes seaweed out of crackling also comes in different flavors the healthy way of living who love to munch while having a snack. So far the outcome it stays crispy and the flavor taste really delicious rather than eating something bad for you can eat crackling that doesn't affect your health and will be able to get your cravings out of the way. I had made my purchase at  Food Source Ph  Online Shop Shopee Philippines for PHP 130.00 ($2.60). This is how the package looks like and I was only able to try one flavor available during the time I had place my order. Note: I am not selling the product just curious what  Vegetari Healthy Bites Sunakku Seaweed Cracklings  will taste like and I was able to enjoy their product as my new snack. If you have a Facebook click subscribe Carmina Lifestyle - Home | Facebook a place to look, discover and share.

Healthy Tropics 100% Natural Sweet Potato Chips

Have you notice most products that are healthy are made with coconut oil? It seem like the trend from food and other items you see in the market coconut is one of my favorite fruit as well I love eating sweet potato which is known for kamote in the Philippines. Normally kamote is eaten with no flavor but most have been adventures to make into chips to add the potato texture and thinly sliced to make it normal potato chips you are use to buying at the store to eat with your sandwiches. You can eat a healthy sandwich with a sweet potato chips to put on the side. Healthy Tropics 100% Natural Sweet Potato Chips comes with two flavors Barbecue or Sour Cream. I am a fan of any chips in flavor barbecue but both of these sweet potatoes can taste each flavor and it doesn't over power the taste of the sweet potato.  The texture of the sweet potato is not hard and it is slice thinly no one will know you are eating something healthy by the look of it. I had purchase Healthy Tropics 10...

Healthy Peanut Butter Made by the Basics in the Philippines

Just like anyone into healthy products most of the time you see almond butter now you can buy peanut butter made with roasted peanuts, coconut sugar, olive oil and sea salt. Every health video I have watched on the internet carry brand of peanut butter made in the United States I wanted to find a substitute to be able to eat healthy but buy products made locally from the Philippines. I came across this product online at Food Source Ph  Online Shop Shopee Philippines. I have always bought from them and able to find items I want to try having shipped out to your doorstep. Just a lot of us want to try new items and we don't want to be the first one there are people who prefer reading reviews before they even try a new product. Or we have read or watch review but out of curiosity we want to try it for we everyone has different taste buds what we eat may taste delicious to you but to other people it may taste differently. Outcome: You will not notice the difference it taste exactly like...

Bayani Brew Farm Fresh Tea Made in the Philippines

To live healthy is to drink something healthy that doesn't have too much sugar with no caffeine when we reach an age we cannot drink a beverage that makes us stay awake late at night our body doesn't function how we use to be in order to find a drink that has tea is to discover a new change for us to enjoy the flavor be able to appreciate the taste. I have seen the Bayani Brew floating in my feed in social media and became curious to find out what it really taste like there are some sellers who sell it inexpensive and expensive depends on who is selling it. Of course there is shipping fee for the delivery cost in our situation everything comes delivered to our home but it doesn't stop us from buying something new that we see in the market. Finally, I was able to purchase the Bayani Brew Fresh Tea it comes in three flavors Lemongrass Turmeric, Lemongrass Ginger and Lemongrass Pandan the sound of it is all healthy this is what had drive me to try this tea. I love drinking tur...

Father Figure from Mom's Friends

Everyone in their life has a mother and the mother has guy friends who would like to connect to you not someone to date but to be a Father to you. Sometimes we come across men who date your Mother once they become single and when that time comes we do the same steps when we're young how our parents screen to see who we are dating. My mother is single and available there comes a time in life with no age matter when someone likes my mom and she will come to the turning point by introducing you to them. I have come across meeting a lot of her male friends in the past some resemble the same features of my Father and I use to tease my mom. Others have the same personality as my Father and I would tease my mom. You narrow it down everyone is all different based on their appearances and personality just when you glance at a person to get to know who they are they all becomes different later as you get to know them all. I see all of them as a Father figure and there was a time ...

Not Taking Words Out of Consideration

Not taking words out of consideration to other people you tell happens a lot when you're talking to someone and inform you that they will stop smoking, drinking alcohol, to change the way they eat and call you back once they are done with whatever they need to do. Have you come across someone telling you something that they want to change? I have friends who have told me they will stop smoking after talking to them the next day they are doing the same thing and you give that look ask them I thought you said you will stop smoking they tell you they will do it gradually or they are doing it only socially when they are with someone. Too many excuses is all I hear and I tell them it is their life and what they want to do to harm their body when you're older you will see the difference on the way you look. I have friends who tell me they will minimize their alcohol intake later you see them posting pictures drinking by themselves or with someone. I learn not to say anythin...