Some Thoughts on Saladmaster

One Hello Kitty friend (way back in Pinas pa since around 2005) who is now based in California messaged me last Friday, asking me if Ford and I could spare 30 minutes to one hour to watch her cooking demo. Kailangan lang daw kasi nyang maka-pool ng 5 virtual presentations for the weekend. No pressure on sale naman daw.

I admit, hesitant ako kasi familiar naman ako sa product niya at alam ko ring super mahal ng Saladmaster noh. Pero dahil I wanted to help, sige na nga tutal eh nasa bahay lang naman kami (at wala ring mae-excuse lol). So sabi ko 3pm na lang ng Sunday, May 31.

My super bait husband, who do not cook, patiently sat with me. Noong una kasi ang sabi ko baka pwedeng ako na lang, to spare my husband of the one-hour ordeal, pero nagrequest ang friend ko na kung pwede kahit sa initial picture ay makasama si Ford. Kailangan daw kasi na mag-asawa ang manonood para sa quick decision-making on purchase (just in case). Hindi naman nga kasi birong halaga ang Saladmaster. I asked Ford to sit with me na lang din sa whole duration ng presentation para mapagbigyan na nga lang din si Hello Kitty Friend.

I won't delve na into the content of the presentation. Usual marketing na yun. Basta nagka-capitalize sila sa idea ng healthy-cooking blah blah.

Now here are some of my thoughts:

(1) Saladmaster na daw ang pinakamahal na cookware sa buong mundo. Grabe nga ang presyo! Yung non-smoke griller na nasa left ng picture, that's around USD1,200+ na plus taxes and shipping pa. So aabutin ng around USD1,400 (or CAD2,016 / Php72,800)! Kahit gaano kaganda ang quality niya, mahirap pa ring lunukin na ganun siya kamahal.

(2) Even if I have money to spare, hindi pa rin siguro ako bibili ng Saladmaster. Hindi naman nga kasi ako mahilig sa magluto. I cook lang out of necessity. In fact, I never cooked in the Philippines when I was living there, never akong nagka-interes. Kaya hindi ko kailangan ng mamahaling mga gamit pangkusina. Ok pa sa aking bilhin ang mga cute na plato, pang-Instagram haha!

(3) My friend Mylene from Edmonton, who has a few Saladmaster pieces, was convincing me to buy din nga. Maganda naman talaga at "sulit." I concede naman na siguro talagang maganda nga (virtual presentation lang kasi ang nangyari sa amin dahil sa pandemic kaya hindi ko nakita nang personal ang products at natikman ang mga naluto) pero a USD1,300-casserole won't give me joy. Bibili na lang ako ng Louis Vuitton, seriously.

(4) If a Canadian is contemplating to buy a Saladmaster, now is not the time to buy. Sadsad na sadsad ang Canadian dollar ngayon, USD1.00 = CAD1.44. Sobrang lugi ka. Antay mo na lang na tumaas uli ang CAD (Oh well, kelan pa kaya?).

(5) During this pandemic, may bibili kaya ng ganito kamahal na panluto?

(6) My Saladmaster friend was aking me for referrals, kung may kakilala raw ako na pwede nyang pag-present-an. I honestly can't think of anyone who will be willing to shell out a small fortune for a cookware.

(7) My husband just 'inquired' about the griller kasi nga mahilig siya sa ihaw. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi na namin kailangan ng ihawan kasi bukod sa outdoor grills namin, meron na rin kaming pang-samgyup at air fryer for indoor use. So aanhin pa yun?

(8) Ang sabi ng asawa ko, for lifetime use na ang mga Saladmaster na yan kaya masusulit din naman nga raw. Susko, ayoko naman gumamit ng isang kaserola na lang sa buong buhay ko. Masawain din naman ko sa gamit kaya ayos lang na hindi mamahalin ang mga kaldero ko para mapalitan ko rin sila.

(9) As much as possible, kapag walang balak talagang bumili, umiwas na lang din sa mga demo-demo. Ang hirap-hirap kasing tumanggi in the end. Kung small amount lang sana, ang sarap sa pakiramdam na pagbigyan ang isang kaibigan eh. Kaso thousand dollars ang pinag-uusapan dito. Yung sulit package na inooffer nila is around CAD5,500! Kahit siguro type na type ko ang cookware eh never akong magpapabili sa asawa ko nun.

(10) Ilang percent kaya ang commission ng mga ahente ng Saladmaster? They must be getting so much kasi nga super mahal ng products nila eh. 


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PS. I have nothing against Saladmaster products ha. Opinyon ko lang po ang mga nasa itaas.

I sincerely wish my friend goodluck sa raket niyang ito. She's been selling Saladmaster for so many years now at mukhang successful naman siya. I politely told her na lang na now is not a good time nga for us to buy and true enough, hindi siya nagpilit. She just smiled and thanked me, at nagrequest na nga lang ng referrals. =)

Christmas lunch with friends

December 24, 2017.  We originally planned to hold our Christmas party at Tess' place but we decided the last minute to eat out na lang. Masyadong hassle pa ang ang magluto / magdala / bumili ng pagkain for potluck tapos magki-clean up pa after. Both Tess and Juris are so busy the past days. Tess went back to work already last November (after a one-year maternity leave) and Juris just started her new part-time job this December kaya ang hirap pagtugmain ang schedule nila. I am glad we were able to push through with our get-together bago magpasko.

We agreed to eat at Max's Restaurant since Juris wanted Filipino food. She's married to a white guy kasi and they seldom eat rice haha.

I called Max's the day before for reservation. Buti may slot pa for 6 adults and 4 kids. Their specific instruction was for the whole party of 10 to be present by 11am to avail of the table, or else they have the right to give it away.

As usual, Team Coblancs came early. We were there 10 minutes before 11am. I told the receptionist that we were a bit early and the rest of our companions will arrive shortly. They asked us if we want to sit already and order. I said yes, since the girls and I have already agreed what to order.

Before I ordered, messaged them again to make sure that they are coming haha! Baka mamaya hindi dumating eh aanhin ko ang lahat ng pagkaing inorder ko.

Our order -- 2 fried chicken, 2 pancit canton, 2 liempo sisig, 1 large sinigang na baboy, 6-pcs pork barbeque, 1 chopsuey, 2 large steamed rice. All for $181. Not bad at all. We just chipped in $60 per family.

Group photo before digging in.

Families from Surrey, New Westminster, and Langley

We were all starving. I think nobody ate breakfast that day lol.

The drawback though was that the "party" was over by 12:30nn. Walang masyadong time din for chika because we girls were busy attending to our kids (and our stomachs!). Our husbands were medyo reserved din. You see, it's a bit hard when there's a "foreigner" in a party, medyo nakakailang din. We could not converse well in Filipino for fear that he'll get offended. But though we all can speak English naman talaga, it's still awkward to speak English all the time in the presence of your fellow Filipinos. Kaya nga nagtataka ako whenever I hear Filipinos na slang pa kumausap sa kapwa Filipino (ung mga obvious na hindi lumaki rito ha). Ako kasi nang mapunta ako dito eh parang mas nagtatagalog pa ako.

After eating, we just distributed our gifts to one another tapos kanya-kanyang uwi na. Medyo na-sad nga ako kasi ang bilis lang. Kahit sina Tess biglang nadisplace kasi 2:40pm pa ang next appointment nila sa chiropractor. Nag-mall na lang kami, separately.

Gifts that we gave out.

Gifts that we received.

Hopefully next year, we could plan a better party na. Mas ok nga sa bahay na lang para mas matagal ang kuwentuhan. I am willing to host it kung may place na kami.

Baby Marco's First Birthday Party

Nathan only has three friends here in BC (and I got two) so imagine how excited we were because one of them celebrated his birthday with a party last Saturday, December 9.

Baby Marco's birthday is actually November 30 but his mom Tess was only able to get a slot at the Queensborough Community Centre (in New Westminster, BC) for December 9. They live in a townhouse so they opted for a bigger venue for the party.

Tess' invite said the party is at 1 to 5pm. We reached the place at around 2pm (we were so busy that morning plus she asked me to pick the cake up from Safeway) but they were still decorating the place. The food wasn't even there yet. It was perfectly understandable because they rented the place for 1-5pm and they could only start fixing the place by 1pm. Tess also lacked manpower who could help her full-time. That's the thing here in Canada, inasmuch as your friends would want to lend a helping hand, they are restricted by their own situations din. We either have work, other appointments, some familial/household obligations, etc. Like me, I couldn't come early because I had to take a language exam at 10am. Juris couldn't come early too because they have a scheduled heater cleaning at home. Tess only had herself, her husband, and mother-in-law to fully rely on that day so it was really challenging. I am glad though that some of her other friends arrived earlier than us and they helped her arrange the place.

As expected, Mommy Tess went overboard haha! Super dami ng handa and echos. In fact, Juris' Caucasian husband was so shocked, saying that it was so extravagant. In Canadian standard, talagang bongga na ito. Juris' reply to her husband was: "This is how we Filipinos do parties."  Haha!

The place itself was super expensive na for $400/4-hours, if I remember correctly.

The food was overwhelming. Canadians typically serve pica-pica lang for children's parties. Filipinos have it all -- from appetizers, to main dishes, to desserts, to kung anik-anik pa.

Such a long table for the food.

And what's a Pinoy party without a lechon? But yeah, ganito lang ang lechon dito sa Vancouver. Roasted pork na Chinese style/tasting. It costs around $240-280 siguro.

Most of the party decorations were from Pinas. Tess and her family went home last October so they were able to hoard a lot from Divisoria.

So many goodie bags, souvenir items, and prizes. The kids were so delighted!

I am a "cake person" though I generally don't eat cakes (except for plain chocolate ones). Baby Marco had two cakes that day.

This one is nice. It's hard to find a nice-looking fondant cake here in Canada. Very pricey pa. I forgot to ask Tess where she got this.

This is the cake that we picked up from Safeway (a grocery/supermarket). It's worth $30. Ganito lang talaga ang mga normal cakes dito, mas maganda pa ang cake sa Pinas na nabibili sa panaderya sa kanto (objectively). I guess Tess bought this for dessert. The main cake wasn't sliced eh.

At around 2:30, the party hasn't started yet and the kids were getting hungry. It's good that they had green grapes, may nakain ang picky-eater son ko.

Nathan loved his party hat haha!

Feel na feel niya. Bata na talaga siya.

I am now enoying kiddie parties because of this little guy.

It was almost 3pm when the party began with a prayer. Marco's dad wasn't there yet because he went home to take a shower. Sobrang nangarag siguro. But people were starving na so kelangan ng magpakain.

Here's two of my many many plates. It was a total cheat day for me. Aside from rice, I ate a lot of pancit, spaghetti, and puto. Carbs overload talaga. I was super hungry din kasi, my last meal was just a sausage and egg mc muffin from McDonald's.

I really loved the lumpiang shanghai. I must have eaten 20 pieces, seriously. Carbs din ang lumpia wrapper kaloka. But I didn't mind. It was the first time since I was diagnosed with diabetes that I splurged on carbs. I felt that  I deserved it din because the language test that I have just taken that morning stressed me out the past week (I'll blog about it later).

I was expecting a lot of guests, given the size of the venue, but not so many came. It's really hard for all people to be free at the same time, especially here in Canada. Everybody's busy. December na rin kasi so maraming ibang events and parties. Yung ibang friends ni Tess ay humabol na lang yata sa bahay that night.

Nevertheless, we had so much fun. This little tikes inflatable bouncer was a perfect entertainer to the kids. It was lent by Tess' friend.

 

Super enjoy si Nathan. First time niya, lol. If only we have space, I would consider getting one kasi for sure masusulit sa bagets.

While eating, Tess started the "bring me contest." Nathan didn't want to participate at first but when I took him in front with me to bring the Philippine peso that was asked, ayun natuwa sa prize. Nagready na sa mga susunod pero hindi na kami nanalo uli haha.

It was Nathan's first time to join party games. Clueless talaga siya haha.

But he learned fast!

I am glad that he has overcome his anti-social behavior. Though still a bit shy and reserved, hindi na siya takot sa tao, especially to those who he sees often.

His favorite part of the party was the blowing of the cake's candle. He enthusiastically sang the happy birthday song for Marco.

Kuya Nathan and the birthday boy. Nathan sincerely cares for Marco and treats him like a little brother.

Mommy Juris, Mommy Tess, Mommy Ces. I am glad to have met and made friends with these two.

 After much eating, time for endless selfies!

My face looks so thin haha! Anggulo lang yan. I naturally have malapad face and even though I've lost a couple of pounds already, malaki pa rin talaga in person.

Juris took this photo. It is very rare that there's someone who can take our family picture. Medyo pangit lang ang lighting that day.

We stayed until the end. We helped in the clean-up. This is actually the most difficult part of throwing a party here, you'll be the one to clean the mess. Walang waiters or waitresses, walang helpers. Kaya mostly disposable ang gamit -- from utensils to table cloths, etc.

Buti na lang we didn't have to clean the floor and fold the tables. Yung centre na raw ang in-charge dun.

I felt sad when they started bursting the balloons. Nakakapanghinayang. Ang daming bata sa Pinas ang gustung-gusto ng lobo. Though I am now living in a land of plenty, where kids are very much privileged, I still can't help but think of my less-fortunate kababayans in the Philippines. Ewan ko ba.

We were able to bring home a lot of food, sobrang dami nga kasing natira kaya lahat kami sangkatutak ang uwi.

The boy was so happy with his loots. He particularly liked the McQueen plushie.

I loved the Goldfish crackers naman. Ang cute! Sakto, hindi nako bibili nito pambaon sa Pinas.

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Thank you for inviting us, Baby Marco! I am sure that this is just the first of your many birthday parties that we'll be attending! =)

Birthday with the Stroller Mommas

I went out with my new mommy friends last Thursday (September 7) for my post-birthday celebration. Kinulit kasi nila ako haha, pero na-touch naman ako kasi nga sila ang nag-initiate.

We've been here in BC for almost a year now (though Nathan and I went to Pinas for 5 months and 1 week) and I am glad to have found two new friends who became my ka-gimikan and ka-chika the past months.

Meet the Stroller Mommas

I actually met Juris (the girl in white) at Taipei Taoyuan Airport during our flight layover last April. Pabalik na kami ni Nathan sa Canada noon, ganun din sila ng family niya.

Sobrang layo papunta sa gate ng connecting flight namin (may train ride pa) tapos medyo parang scary na yung mga areas na dinadaanan kasi kokonti na ang tao (alanganing oras na rin kasi). The worst part, all the elevators were not working kasi may pending construction yata. Imagine me and my 2-year old son trying to figure out how to go to the next floor without an elevator. Eh me stroller ako at maraming handcarry.

The first two escalators, nalampasan namin. Medyo mababa lang kasi ang escalator, una ko munang inihatid sa taas ang anak ko tapos I instructed him to wait for me kasi bababa ako to get the stroller. No choice eh, walang ibang tao sa paligid (creepy nga eh). Pero at a very young age, my son naman knows na how to follow instructions saka hindi siya magulong bata. Takot din siya sa stairs so hindi siya bababa nang walang kasama. I just made sure na nakikita nya pa rin ako habang bumababa ako para hindi siya magpanic.

Yung last stair ang problematic kasi sobrang taas. Kapag nasa taas na si Nathan, parang hindi na niya ako makikita sa baba. I was worried kaya hindi ko talaga alam ang gagawin ko. Walang katao-tao talaga sa paligid.

Then after a few minutes, dumating si Juris, her Caucasian husband, and two little kids. Juris nicely asked me: "Anong matutulong ko sayo, Ate?" I was so thankful, sabi ko kung pwedeng pakitingnan lang saglit yung anak ko sa taas kapag inakyat ko para makuha ko yung stroller sa baba. They couldn't help me kasi with the stroller dahil ang dami rin nilang dala.

Nagkahiwalay na kami after that and we saw each other again sa may play area malapit sa gate namin (same flight kami). That's when I learned that they are from Langley.

Hindi rin kami gaanong nakapagchika because she was very busy attending to her kids. Nagkita na lang uli kami sa Vancouver airport na while we were waiting from our baggage in the carousel. That's when she asked for my number, ang sabi ko wala na "yata" akong phone number kasi more than 5 months ako sa Pinas, tila pina-disconnect na ng asawa ko kasi nga magbi-BC number na rin naman ako later on. Add nya na lang kako ako sa Facebook.

Since the, we became chatmates na sa FB. Then she invited me to her son's first birthday last June 25. That's where I met Tess, her best friend in high school. Tess is currently on a one year mommy leave from work. She has a 9-month old son and they live in New Westminster.

These two girls are so gala, hindi sila mapakali sa bahay. Juris' husband works on a one-week-work-one-week-off basis (sa mining) so kapag wala ang husband niya, talagang pinapasyal niya ang mga kids nya kung saan-saan. Si Tess naman every Sunday lang off ang husband niya kaya naiinip din at laging umaalis ng bahay. These girls are so madiskarte, kabisado na nila ang pasikot-sikot sa Metro Vancouver haha. Through them, natuto ako mag-bus at mag-train kasama si Nathan.

Lagi nila akong inaaya kapag lalabas sila (to meet with their other friends din) pero madalas hindi ako sumasama kasi nga exhausting for me ang magcommute tapos ang init pa. Saka they normally meet early eh ang late gumising ni Nathan kasi nga late na rin matulog. Alanganin.

Kaya for my birthday, ang sabi ko puntahan na lang nila ako sa 'terrritory' ko -- sa Surrey. No problem daw.

Because they like Sushi and Korean food, I brought them to Il Uk Jo, an eat-all you can Japanese and Korean restaurant na madalas naming kinakainan ni hubby.

I admire this girl kasi ang hirap nang may karag na dalawang toddlers ha. Ang liit ba babae pero very strong.

Juris with Zoey and Jack

I admire Tess naman kasi talagang ang patient niyang mag-alaga ng baby. I don't remember being that hands-on with Nathan haha. Kasi palagi kong kasama si Ford, siya ang in-charge kay Nathan tuwing umaalis kami.

Tess with Baby Marco

We feasted on a lot of food grabe. Busog na busog ako lalo na sa bbque. Oops, ang sugar! I make sure that I eat very little rice/carbs. As in less than a cup lang. So far, ok naman ang blood sugar level. Nakakaya ng gamot lol.

I was so surprised when then handed me their gifts after eating. They didn't have to, parang nahiya naman ako. Pati si Ford binigyan din ni Juris ng gift. I was thankful. At least me na-receive akong gift sa birthday ko haha.

(Note: Ford, until today, is insisting that we buy a gift for me. Parang di siya mapakali. Pero sabi ko wala naman akong gusto saka madami nakong nashopping the past weeks. Saka nag-Victoria trip naman kami kaya gift na rin yun).

After lunch, we proceeded to Guildford Town Centre (the mall across our apartment) so that kids could play at nang makalakad-lakad na rin.

I am happy kasi may constant kids na sa life ni Tantan - sina Baby Marco, Zoey, and Jack.

He's now comfortable being with them. Hindi na siya nahihiya, at home na siya. Gusto nga palagi kaming nakabuntot sa kanila while walking sa mall.

Indeed, I am grateful kasi nga I found good friends na rin dito. By the way, Juris is/was a nurse in Pinas and she's been very helpful sa mga health concerns ko ngayon. Tess is also very supportive. Nakakatuwa talaga. I hope we could be friends forever.

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Eto pala ang gift nila. Haha, the chocolate will definitely go to Pinas kasi nga bawal na sa akin (buti matagal pa ang expiration).