Too Much Love Can Kill You: A Hard Lesson from My Bonsai Journey

Losing a plant is never easy, especially when you’ve poured so much care and love into it. My bonsai was more than just a decorative indoor plant; it was a symbol of patience and growth, something that brought me joy during the quiet moments of quarantine. Unfortunately, my eagerness to nurture it led to its untimely demise. I overwatered it, believing it needed constant hydration, and added too much fertilizer, thinking it would make it thrive. Instead, I unknowingly overwhelmed its delicate system, and now I’m left reflecting on the hard lessons it taught me. 

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As a Plantito, the quarantine gave me ample time to immerse myself in indoor gardening. My small living space transformed into a haven for greenery, with the bonsai as its crowning jewel. However, I’ve learned that plant parenting requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands balance and restraint. Plants like bonsai thrive on just the right amount of care. Overwatering can suffocate their roots, and excessive fertilizer can burn them. I now understand that less is often more when it comes to nurturing these beautiful, living artworks.

In loving memory of my bonsai, I want to share this experience with fellow plant lovers. Mistakes are part of the journey, and every plant lost is an opportunity to learn and grow as a gardener. To my bonsai, thank you for the lessons of patience, balance, and resilience. To all Plantitos and Plantitas out there, let’s remember that sometimes, giving space and allowing our plants to adapt naturally is the best way to help them thrive. 🌱

A Sour Yet Satisfying Adventure: Mukbang with Green Carabao Mango and Sautéed Shrimp Paste

There’s something about the tangy kick of green mangoes paired with the savory goodness of sautéed shrimp paste that ignites the ultimate Filipino craving. This combination is not just a snack—it’s a sensory experience that takes you back to childhood days under the summer sun, savoring the perfect balance of sour and salty. In this blog, I’m sharing my delightful mukbang journey featuring green carabao mangoes and sautéed shrimp paste. It’s a feast for the taste buds and a throwback to the simple joys of Filipino cuisine. 

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The Star of the Show: Green Carabao Mango

The green carabao mango, known as Manggang Kalabaw, is a Filipino favorite. These unripe mangoes are famous for their sharp tanginess, making them an ideal partner for salty dips like shrimp paste or rock salt. For this mukbang, I chose perfectly firm and vibrant green mangoes—each slice a promise of a mouth-puckering burst of flavor. As I took the first bite, the sourness washed over me, creating an intense yet incredibly satisfying experience. I savored every bite, embracing the sharp tanginess with pure enjoyment.

The Perfect Pair: Sautéed Shrimp Paste

What’s green mango without its faithful companion, bagoong alamang? The sautéed shrimp paste I prepared was rich, slightly sweet, and savory with a hint of spice. It’s a condiment that carries the essence of Filipino culinary heritage. The process of dipping each mango slice into the warm shrimp paste and taking a bite was nothing short of divine. The flavors complemented each other perfectly, creating a harmony of sour, salty, and umami that left me craving for more with each bite.

Mukbang Moments: Relishing Every Bite

As I filmed the mukbang, I found myself completely immersed in the flavors. The intense sourness didn’t make me laugh—it made me savor and enjoy the moment even more. Each bite was a delightful challenge to my taste buds, and I couldn’t get enough of the nostalgic blend of green mango and shrimp paste. Sharing this culinary journey with my audience was a rewarding experience, showcasing the beauty of simple yet iconic Filipino food.

This mukbang was more than just a food adventure—it was a nostalgic journey filled with flavors that reminded me of home. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly encourage you to grab some green mangoes, whip up a batch of sautéed shrimp paste, and dive into this sour-salty delight. Trust me, it’s an experience your taste buds will thank you for!

What’s Your Favorite Mukbang Combo?

Do you have your own food pairing that takes you down memory lane? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag me in your mukbang adventures. Let’s celebrate food and the joy it brings!

Finding the Perfect Office Chair: My Adventure from All Home to Mandaue Foam

The day had finally come—my beloved office chair, a companion through countless work hours, had retired. Its wear and tear were beyond repair, so I decided it was time to find a new one. With excitement and practicality in mind, I set out on a journey to find the perfect office chair that could keep up with my work-from-home lifestyle. My first stop was All Home at Starmall. 

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Exploring All Home

All Home, conveniently located at Starmall, seemed like the ideal starting point for my hunt. The store had a decent selection of office furniture, but I quickly realized their options were limited and on the pricier side. While I appreciated their stylish pieces, none of the chairs felt like “the one.” Disappointed yet undeterred, I decided to explore other options. Instead of giving up, I hopped on a jeepney and headed to Mandaue Foam along Shaw Boulevard, hoping for better choices and deals.

Mandaue Foam: A Four-Story Furniture Haven

Stepping into Mandaue Foam was like entering furniture paradise. This massive four-story building was filled with an extensive range of home and office furniture. I was impressed by the variety of designs and the quality of the items on display. However, there was a noticeable downside—the lack of sales staff available to assist customers. I wandered around the ground floor, trying to locate someone who could help me navigate the sprawling building.

Eventually, I found the customer service desk at the lobby, where a staff member told me to go to the fourth floor where office chairs were displayed. When I arrived, there was only one salesperson, already busy with another customer. Without assistance, I explored the floor on my own, spotting several options that caught my eye. Then I found it—the Orson visitor chair, a stylish and functional piece originally priced at ₱5,000 but marked down to ₱3,000 with a 30% discount. It was the perfect balance of comfort, quality, and affordability.

A Satisfying Purchase

After deciding on the Orson chair, I headed to the cashier, finalized my purchase, and booked a Grab car to take me and my new chair home. Once I got home, I eagerly unboxed and assembled it, and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. This experience taught me the value of exploring multiple options and being patient when shopping for something as important as a chair that will support hours of productivity.

Whether you're furnishing a home office or simply upgrading your workspace, I highly recommend Mandaue Foam for its wide variety of options. Just be prepared to navigate the store on your own if it’s a busy day! This journey reminded me that even mundane tasks like buying a chair can turn into mini-adventures filled with lessons in perseverance, resourcefulness, and smart shopping.

This small but meaningful purchase marks the start of a new chapter in my workspace in my home office. It’s amazing how much a well-chosen chair can impact your comfort and efficiency. So, here’s to the Orson chair—a sturdy partner for many productive days ahead! If you’re on a quest for the perfect furniture, don’t settle for the first store you visit; the best deals might be waiting just a few blocks away.