Make Easy and Mouthwatering Dishes with USA Blueberries + USA Blueberries Recipes

Invitation to join A Blue Christmas – a Recipe Contest 

My kids love blueberries! Blueberry pancakes. Blueberry smoothies. Blueberry cupcakes. The list goes on. I simply put some blueberries in a bowl and they enjoy them as is, too. I love how I can easily include these berries in their meals. So, yeah, blueberries are always in my grocery list!

Blueberries are definitely a healthy food. They provide essential nutrients with a wide range of health benefits. Blueberries are low in sodium with virtually no fat. It is an excellent source of immunity enhancing-vitamin C, plus vitamin K and manganese for bone health, and dietary fiber for improved digestion. You get all that healthy goodness in just a handful of blueberries!

For quality blueberries, I always go for blueberries from the USA. During the summer season in the U.S., fresh blueberries are abundant. But year-round, frozen or canned blueberries are available in leading supermarkets and grocery stores here in the Philippines. 

Here are some ideas on how you can make easy and delectable dishes using blueberries:

1. Breakfast and Snacks

Use it in pancakes, waffles, and yogurt bowls. You can also make blueberry smoothies, trail mix, ice cream, and popsicles. 

2. Sauces and Jams

I recently discovered you can also make blueberry barbecue sauce! I have yet to try this and will share it with you once I do. You can also include blueberries in recipes for pork tenderloin, meatballs, chicken, pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. It’s so versatile and nutritious! Blueberry jams, on the other hand, can be paired with your favorite bread or as a dip for your biscuits or crackers.

3. Pastries and Baked Goodies

You can never go wrong with blueberries mixed in with your favorite pastry and cake recipes. You can also use it to add flavor to your frosting or glaze. I’m not a pro in baking so I usually rely on cake mixes sold in grocery stores. I just follow the package instructions and add in blueberries to give it a twist and make it my own version.

I always have loads of fun in the kitchen when I’m prepping blueberries. So I’m sharing with you two easy recipes using pre-made mixes and USA Blueberries. Try it at home and enjoy!

USA Blueberries Butterscotch Loaf Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup USA Blueberries, canned
• 400 grams butterscotch cake mix 
• 2 pcs eggs, large
• ½ cup softened butter, unsalted

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C/350°F.
2. Cream the softened butter. Add beaten eggs slowly while mixing.
3. Mix in butterscotch cake mix until well blended.
4. Fold in blueberries.
5. Pour batter into a greased baking loaf. Top with nuts or more blueberries (optional).
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean.

photo from USABLUEBERRIESPHL Facebook page

USA Blueberries Pancake

Ingredients:

• ½ cup USA Blueberries, frozen
• 200 grams complete pancake mix
• 1 cup water

Preparation:

1. Mix water and hotcake mix in a bowl until slightly lumpy.
2. Toss in blueberries.
3. Pour pancake batter onto a pre-heated, lightly greased pan.
4. Cook until bubbly then turn to cook the other side.
5. Top with more blueberries, syrup and butter.

Care to share your blueberry recipe? Join “A Blue Christmas – USA Blueberry Recipe Contest” and get a chance to win P5,000 worth of gift certificates. Click here for the mechanics: https://bit.ly/3FsPGsi. Deadline for submission of entries is on December 15, 2021. 

This post is a partnership with USA Blueberries in the Philippines. For more information on U.S. Blueberries, visit www.blueberrycouncil.org. Like & Follow USA Blueberries-Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more blueberry fun, cooking tips, recipes, videos, and trivia.

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A Blue Christmas – USA Blueberry Recipe Contest

Get a chance to win P5,000 worth of gift certificates by sharing your unique and delectable dishes using USA Blueberries.

Mechanics:

• The contest is open to all Filipino citizens in the Philippines;  participants  must be at least  21 years of age. No purchase is required  to  enter  the  contest.             

• Post the photo/s of your USA Blueberry holiday dish using frozen and/or canned USA Blueberries on Facebook and Instagram.

• Post must include the full recipe and must mention and show the brand of USA blueberries used. 

USA Blueberries frozen brands: Farmer’s Best, Essential Everyday, and Earthbound

USA Blueberries canned brands: Duncan Hines (Comstock, Wilderness), and Michigan Made (Pie Filling, Heavy Syrup)

• Use the hashtags: #ABlueChristmas #USABlueberryRecipeContest  #USABlueberries #USBlueberriesPHL #MommyBloggersPH

• Tag @usblueberriesphl @mommybloggersph and @theprudentmama

• Participants may send multiple entries but can only win once.

• Deadline for submission of entries is on  December 15, 2021.  

• There will  be  ten  winners.  Entries  will  be  judged  based  on  the  following: 
  • USA Blueberry as main ingredient – 50  points
  • Originality – 25  points
  • Visual  Impact – 25  points

• Winners  will  be  informed  via  private  messages  and  announced  on  USHBC-Philippines’  social  media.

• Each winner  will  receive  gift  certificates  worth  P5,000. 

• The decision  of  the  judges  is  final.  All  entries  will  be  considered  property  of  USHBC-Philippines. 

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Choose Better and Eat Better with COOP Fresh’s All-Natural and Organic Selection

Over the past year, there has been a stronger preference for everything healthy and, naturally, it has led us to rethink our standards of what is good for us. Health is wealth and it can be achieved in even the smallest ways, like the food we eat. Recognizing this uptrend for healthier and cleaner options, online specialty grocer COOP Grocer has introduced its own line of all-natural and organic products: ranging from meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and ready-made food. Aptly called COOP Fresh, each item guarantees your food is non-GMO certified and was made with no growth hormones, preservatives, antibiotics, or pesticides. Additionally, all products are locally farmed from prime agricultural sites in Cavite, Laguna, Ilocos Norte, and Palawan—and its produce is freshly harvested every week using only natural fertilizers. 

Fresh produce harvested every week using only natural fertilizers

By working directly with local farmers, COOP Grocer effectively eliminates the middleman. This allows the company to offer competitive pricing for its customers and easier access to all-natural and organic items. When you shop the COOP Fresh catalogue, customers are assured of nothing but pure healthy goodness.

“We promote the use of affordable fresh produce for your everyday meals instead of going for highly processed or instant food. We have local produce at really affordable prices as we go straight to the source, but we also offer all-natural options if you’re more conscious of what you eat,” said Meileen Chang, COOP Grocer’s Brand Manager.

Coop Grocer works directly with local farmers

Offering 100% organic or 100% all-natural selections, COOP Fresh sets a premium standard for all health-conscious shoppers who can now save time from scrutinizing the ingredients lists and nutrition charts. Certified organic products guarantee that the animals used were only given hormone- and GMO-free feed and raised in an open range, sustainable environment. Natural, on the other hand, means that products were made with only all-natural ingredients and contain no preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. Specific to its meat and seafood, all-natural assures that no MSG, additives, chemicals, or extenders of any kind were added in the preparation process. 

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Certified organic products guarantee that the animals used were only given hormone- and GMO-free feed and raised in an open range, sustainable environment

“Organic and natural products are used by farmers who practice good agricultural standards. When we eat meat filled with hormones or vegetables sprayed with pesticides, it eventually takes a toll on our bodies, leaving us more prone to sickness and diseases. That is why COOP Fresh is a welcome change for customers of COOP Grocer who have started to embrace a healthier way of eating,” added Chang.

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Healthier way of eating with Coop Fresh’s natural and organic products

Moreover, through the COOP Grocer website and app, the company eliminates the common obstacles of convenience and accessibility that health-conscious individuals face. Simply browse its wide selection of products, choose what you want, and click the checkout button at the end in one fluid and harmonious step – all from the palm of your hand. 

With just a few swipes and clicks: you can enjoy a twist to your breakfast with all-natural cheese hotdogs, add some zest to your pork and chicken with organic pineapple slices, healthfully snack on hamburgers made with organic ground beef served with side of an all-natural cherry tomato salad, and top off every meal with a refreshing fruit smoothie made with natural cold-pressed frozen coconut milk.

Enjoy all- natural and organic selection at Coop Grocer

Start choosing better by eating better with COOP Grocer and its selection of COOP Fresh products and more. Order now by visiting the official website (www.coopgrocer.com) or downloading the app from the App Store and Google Play Store. 

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Tide to Design First Laundry Detergent for Space,To Begin Stain Removal Testing on International Space Station in 2022

The Procter & Gamble laundry brand partners with NASA in a Space Act Agreement to explore how to efficiently clean astronauts’ clothing in resource-constrained environments, including the Artemis Moon missions and future Mars missions.

Graphic: Business Wire

Tide® has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to help in the development of laundry detergent solutions and technology development in space. Under the agreement, NASA may test and study Tide cleaning solutions in space. The study could have potential on-planet implications like innovative solutions for resource and environmental challenges on Earth. Aligning with Tide’s decade-long sustainability commitment, Ambition 2030, Tide will strive to bring off-planet learnings back to everyday consumer products.

Currently, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) wear clothing several times before replacing with a new set. Clothing is delivered to the station through resupply shipment opportunities. The limited cargo capacity makes the practice of replenishing the clothing supply challenging for deep space missions, such as Artemis Moon missions and a crewed roundtrip Mars mission. Without a laundry solution, 160 pounds of clothing per crew member per year are launched to the ISS. Human roundtrip missions to Mars could be two to three years in length.

Major challenges for off-Earth laundering include ingredient safety and compatibility with NASA life support systems, and the limited amount of water available per wash load and the requirement that the wash water be purified back to drinking-quality water. To combat these challenges, Tide has developed a fully degradable detergent, specifically designed for use in space to solve malodor, cleanliness and stain removal problems for washable items used during deep space missions, while being suitable for use in a close-loop water system.

Onboard a 2022 cargo launch to the space station, “Mission PGTide” (P&G Telescience Investigation of Detergent Experiments), teams will test the stability of cleaning ingredients under microgravity conditions and exposure to the radiation levels experienced in space in partnership with the ISS U.S. National Laboratory and SEOPS. In addition, the stain removal ingredients and performance will be tested onboard the ISS through experiments with Tide To Go Wipes and Tide To Go Pens.

“The ISS National Lab is excited to work with the P&G team once again as they push the limits of their research and development onboard the orbiting laboratory,” said Dr. Michael Roberts, Acting Chief Scientist for the ISS National Lab. “Through private-sector utilization of the space station, companies like P&G can conduct investigations in ways not possible on Earth to develop new consumer products, enhance existing products, and better understand processes that further business models both on the ground and in low Earth orbit. We look forward to this first investigation of Tide in Space and hope that many more will soon follow.”

In addition to testing onboard the ISS National Lab, NASA and Tide researchers may study how an innovative combined washing and drying unit utilizing the special-formulated detergent could potentially be integrated into planetary habitats that may be used for the Artemis Moon and Mars missions under low-gravity surface conditions. There are also a unique set of challenges that present themselves for a crewed Mars mission. Future missions to and from Mars expect to span multiple years, and these long-duration flights will require laundry solutions designed for extreme space-based environments and varying gravity conditions.

“This partnership was created to rethink cleaning solutions – forcing us to rethink innovations for resource-constrained and challenging environments like the ISS, deep space and even the future of our home planet,” said Aga Orlik, Senior Vice President, P&G North America Fabric Care. “We are eager to apply our learnings from our partnerships with NASA and the ISS National Lab to Tide on Earth, developing a low-resource-use laundry solution for everyday use while meeting consumer demand for more sustainable products.”

Tide’s Stain Removal Testing on International Space Station starts in 2022

The news of Tide’s space exploration to innovate low-impact laundry solutions comes on the heels of Tide’s Ambition 2030 commitments, announced earlier this spring. Included among Tide’s Ambition commitments were actionable goals to find resource efficiencies in energy, water and waste across the laundry lifecycle – from manufacturing and packaging to consumer use phase and end of life – to reduce the environmental impact of a load of laundry while increasing the impact of clean clothes.

“Humanity has reached a pivotal point where on one hand, we’re on the exciting cusp of space colonization, and on the other, facing a critical period where action must be taken now to save the planet we all call home,” said Orlik. “The collaboration with NASA and the ISS National Lab are particularly exciting because it allows us to push the bounds of resource efficiency to its absolute limit, uncovering learnings with practical applications for both the future of laundry in space and here on Earth.”

To check out more information on Tide’s overarching sustainability ambitions, please see here.

5 Dirtiest Spots in Your Home and How To Clean Them

We are spending more time indoors now than ever, and as we retreat to our sanctuary, it is vital to keep our indoor environment clean and hygienic all day long. However, germs have mastered the art of hiding in some areas—and they are usually not the easiest to clean! This includes our hard-to-wash fabrics which are always vulnerable to deep-seated germs and viruses we call Germumus, or germs, bacteria, and pathogens that appear invisible, but are already stealthily living in our hard-to-wash items.

When was the last time you cleaned your couch? Six months ago? Last year? Never? Bring on the power tools! Here are some ways to keep them clean and what you can do in between washes to keep common trouble spots around the house germ-free.

Couches and Sofas: We all love being couch potatoes but lounging on a dirty sofa is a no-no. Did you know that the average sofa has 12 times more bacteria than your toilet seat? As they can easily trap dirt, allergens, and bacteria in their soft fibers, experts recommend having them professionally cleaned every 6 months. At home, you can use a hand vacuum to clean debris and dirt from the sofa’s surface. Be sure not to forget the crevices where dirt can accumulate!

Curtains: Cleaning your curtains might be included in your low-priority tasks but they actually accumulate a lot more grime than meets the eye. Just like the couches, curtains can also trap dust and dirt. Schedule to wash your curtains twice or more a year with cool or lukewarm water and mild detergent.

Bed Sheets: Ideally, you should change your bedsheets and pillowcases at least once a week as they can have a buildup of oils, dirt, and sweat from daily use. Compared to the average toilet seat, a one-week-old bed sheet contains 29,000 more bacteria. To clean, check the care label and wash with the hottest water temperature setting indicated.

Carpets: Dirty carpets not only look bad but they’re also full of pollutants and grime. Experts recommend having them cleaned by a professional at least once a year or every quarter if you have pets or kids. If you can’t schedule a pro, use a sponge or soft-bristle brush and work a cleaning solution into a lather.

Area rugs: Unless your area rug is extremely delicate, cleaning your area rug is something you can easily take on yourself. High-traffic area rugs should be cleaned at least every 3 months to not only extend the life of your rugs but also to make sure dirt is regularly removed. Thoroughly vacuum the rug on both sides or take the smaller rugs outdoors and shake them off as much as you can.

Other Hard-to-Wash Fabrics: Any area of your home with high traffic and surfaces that get touched a lot is basically a germ bank. This includes your bags, shoes, pet bed, and even office chairs! You can clean them by vacuuming to remove loose dirt or running the covers through the washing machine (if possible) using the warmest appropriate water setting.

Regular laundering of fabrics and cleaning soft surfaces with soap and water will go a long way. But if you’re grossed out by all of the germs and bacteria that might be lurking in your home, you’re probably wondering what you can do in between washes to make sure these germ-laden spots are cleaned every day. Unfortunately, you cannot simply shake and pound out deep-seated Germumus. It helps, sure, but it’s definitely not enough.

As told by our experts, bacteria and viruses grow exponentially in these hard-to-wash fabrics and ordinary punas, pagpag, or vacuuming is not enough to remove them. “We come in contact with bacteria and viruses every day and millions of these linger on fabric items such as mattresses, sofas, rugs, and curtains, and the like,” said Prof. Joel C. Cornista, current President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc.. “Dusting or vacuuming every few weeks may be helpful but bacteria and viruses can still grow in these items in between your general cleaning days. Exposure to these bacteria and viruses may lead to infections and trigger allergies, and so it will be wise to degerm these items daily.

Fortunately, you need not worry anymore! The NEW Downy Antibac Fabric Spray is your quick and easy solution for the germumus in your hard-to-wash fabrics. It penetrates deep into fabrics to remove 99.9% of germs and eliminate odors, making our homes germ-free and smelling fresh instantly! Use this on your bed and mattresses, sofas, curtains, and even on your shoes and bags!

Say goodbye to Germumus with the NEW Downy Antibac Fabric Spray.

Using the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray is so easy that anyone at home can do their part in eliminating germumus. Complete your cleaning routine with the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray that gets rid of the dust and bacteria left behind after dusting and vacuuming. Simply turn the spray cap on, position your hard-to-wash fabric 20-30 cm away from the spray, and spray until the fabric is wet. Let it air dry after so you can fully experience the 99.9% Antibac freshness!

Photo Credit: Megan Young

Level up your cleaning game by including the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray to your daily cleaning routine to ensure your home smells fresh and is safe from germumus all day, everyday! Together, #LetUsSprayAndProtect with #DownyAntibacFabricSpray!

BLIMS HOLIDAY SALE (Nov. 8 – Dec. 31): Up to 50% OFF on Selected Items

BLIMS is the furniture store that defines lifestyles and shops the world for the latest and most elegant collections of furniture. Holiday is just around the corner and your home needs to be holiday ready. BLIMS is having a Holiday Sale and enjoy up to 50% off on selected items from November 8 to December 31. They also offer 6 mos. 0% interest and Buy now pay 2020 on selected major credit cards.

BLIMS is the furniture store that offers choice to customers. Each BLIMS store houses some of the best collections in the country. BLIMS offers a complete variety of furniture, which are categorized as follows:

Living Space – take your pick from an wide collection of sofas and dining sets.
Sleepshop – BLIMS is equipped with a wide array of bed frames and mattresses that will give you quiet serenity and peaceful slumber,
Recliners & Loungers – indulge yourself and bring home a seat you can just sink into.
Office World – find the items that allow you to take charge.

To see more furniture pieces perfect for your home, visit their website: BLIMS Fine Furniture (https://blimsfurniture.com.ph/blims-holiday-sale-2019.html)

Check their Facebook Page: Blims Fine Furniture (https://www.facebook.com/blimsfurniture/)

or simply drop by on one of their 19 showrooms nationwide.

Have a happy furniture shopping day ahead! 😉

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