Tea Time with Dad

Tea Time with Dad
by Eugene Martin
October 14, 2017

(Sharing with you another bonding moment with my dad... a word of appreciation given by a loved one is so awesome! I remember this quotation (anonymous): " A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected"..... I am so inspired to do more!)

Four o'clock in the afternoon (4:00 pm). My father prepared a pot of hot water for the afternoon tea. I asked him if he would like to try the matcha choco. 

Oh, that would be his first time to taste / drink matcha . He asked me to help him prepare it. I unwrapped it and put it in a cup. He added hot water to the choco spoon in the cup and slowly stirred it. He seemed to enjoy the manner it was being prepared. The matcha choco slowly melted and the water started to turn white, then green and finally a perfect hue of light green. And the aroma..... so relaxing.....

While I was also enjoying mine, I was so excited to listen to his comments.  He is a Kapampangan and I have high regard for his comments, especially on food and beverages. He actually has choosy taste buds. 

... Still waiting for his comments, I was thinking of possible ways to adjust the 'formula' just in case he would not be satisfied. His comments were not for the fainthearted though, I have received a number of constructive criticisms from him in some of my 'experiments' which I really appreciate. I am very open to suggestions so I can improve and produce the best quality products for us and for our friends to enjoy!

@ Lucky China Town

Ok.... 
still waiting.... 

not a word yet..... 

he still continued his simple snack (bread) and the matcha....

Oh, I couldn't wait any longer.... 

"Dad?" I was so excited to hear his comments.... 

Kinder Moving up Ceremony
(Many old pictures were destroyed/lost
during Ondoy; one of the few we have saved)

And the most awaited part... TADA!

... "Ang sarap! Ayos ang lasa ah." ("It is delicious! The taste is good."), he said. 

Yehey! So happy for that comment!

I asked him if next time he would like to try the Ginger / Salabat flavor. Affirmative. Yey!

After finishing my cup of matcha, I remembered my mom...

I just could imagine the scenario of this taste testing with Nanay Etang around :-)  

He went to the ceremony after their regular Bowling Tournament (Laging winner yan.. so proud of him)

 

 

HYGGE & LAGOM: Happiness, Contentment, Moderation and Balance

HYGGE & LAGOM: Happiness, Contentment, Moderation and Balance
by Eugene Martin
October 10, 2017

My husband's minimalist lifestyle led me to understand these concepts - - HYGGE and LAGOM. While looking for inspirations for my new hobby and simple business venture (hot chocolate spoons), I have encountered these words at the right time.

...my theater buddy...

It seems that our family are practicing these even before they were recognized as words of the year.

Please refer to the following sites for more information: http://www.visitdenmark.com/hygge-denmark-coziness; 

http://www.housebeautiful.co.uk/lifestyle/g115/lagom-trend-how-to-become-a-lagomer/

The relaxing and destressing power of any hot beverage cannot be underestimated. Likened to the effect of a hot chicken soup (cooked and served by a loved one), majority of us find comfort over a cup of hot coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate - - with a drinking buddy or sometimes, surprisingly even without someone beside us.

My hubby and I are both avid hot beverage drinkers. Coffee / Chocolate / Tea drinking has been an integral part of the family bonding rituals. A hearty cup (either brewed, instant or 3-in-1) starts a great morning and completes a productive day. Interestingly, at exactly 4:00 PM, my 76-yr-old father, prepares hot water for his Salabat and usually my son, daughter and I will join him (if we are at home) and will have our own cups of either coffee or chocolate. I have always been fond of tinkering in the kitchen and usually play and experiment on different flavors and presentations. Finally, I decided to have this simple venture on something I really love doing.

During the development of the standard measurements and taste, I was also inspired to compose lines and light convo phrases to put in the packaging. It is hoped that these would trigger the smiles and little giggles while enjoying the hot concoction - - Just enough ("lagom") to break the ice and eventually, hoping to have a worthwhile moment and lasting good impression with the drinking mate ("hygge").

... my eating buddy....

Some of these statements and phrases are used in the packaging of the N&J Tsokolate, our version of the "Hot Chocolate Spoon."

1. “Yakap na hangad mo, matatagpuan sa tsokolateng ito."

2. “Tsokolateng mainit, pampakalma sa ulong mainit.”

3. “May mapait sa buhay na gusto kong inuulit-ulit...

      Tanong sa akin ng mga bes ko, bakit?

      Parang di raw ako natututo, 

nasisira na ba raw ang ulo ko?

      Eh kapag naman ang mapait e tsokolateng mainit

      walang pait-pait… Naimas.. Manyaman, Namit gid!”

4. “Alaalang mapait, nawawala sa paghigop ng tsokolateng mainit”

5. Kalma lang…. etong bagay sa iyo.. atEH… KuyAH" (Tsokolate Eh! / Tsokolate Ah!)

... my drinking buddy...

6. “Bakit ba sa tsokolateng ito ikaw ang naaalala?

      Tamis-pait… naghahalong lasa... ano ba talaga? 

      Parang pag-ibig mo na paasa.”

7. "Bes, inom ka lang…bigat ng kalooban gagaan.”

8. “Ang minamahal ko, iba ang mahal…

     Minamahal niya, ako ang mahal…

     BalicuCHAng buhay ‘to!

                                            (for the hot chocolate spoon with Balicucha topping)

9. "Pano kung wala ka na?....... Problema ba 'yun, eh di, isa pa uli..."

10. "Ano ang tawag sa lalaking malaki ang katawan?" "Macho!"

      "Eh pag babae?" "MATCHA!!!!!" 

                                            (for the Matcha Flavored hot chocolate spoon)

11. "Gusto kita nung mainit ka... Gusto pa rin kita kahit lumamig ka na."

12. "Magsilbi kang kumot sa nanlalamig kong pusong makirot."

13. "Sa mainit na tsokolate walang lusot,

      mapa Danish HYGGE o Pinoy HUGOT!"

14. #masarappagmainit       #masmasarappagmapait        #masarapparinkahitmalamig

15. "Ito ang isa sa sa pinakamasaya kong araw.. 

yung pinapipili ako kung ano ang gusto ko...

 - - kape o tsokolate."

Oh, the creative side of my brain is hyper again! :-) 

Just finishing a cup of Tsoko Eh! on a rainy Monday afternoon! :-) 

Hope you will make time for a cup or mug of N&J Tsokolate. We will be so pleased and honored to be part of your HYGGE and LAGOM.....

...prepared hot milk (180ml) in my fave mug...
... then added sprinkles...

I found enjoyment  in stirring....
feeling the chocolate melting slowly....

hmmmm... that aroma!
hmmmm....that taste!
just enough sweetness...
just enough bitterness..
This is "Lagom"!

Enjoying a cup of Tsoko Eh!
on a rainy Monday afternoon...