Strawberries

This is what happens when you forget to use macro mode. I tried a flash photo but it was washed out as usual. I don't know what to do to get my phone cam's flash to work well.

Whoever picked these strawberries didn't know the right technique and cut the stems way too long. You're supposed to cup the strawberry and put the strawberry cap between your fingers and gently pull. Also they picked some that I would have considered under-ripe. But when you're battling the ants and the birds, you gotta get 'em while you can.

Magnolia Best of the Philippines

I was pleased when Magnolia started making ice cream again. I like to support Philippine brands whenever possible. Unfortunately, and probably because dairy is so expensive here, most ice creams sold are "mellorines", which don't use butterfat but usually coconut oil. I heard that the vanilla flavor of Magnolia is still a true ice cream.

I tried the strawberry (Baguio) and coffee (Batangas) flavors and they were both ok. The mango-mangosteen (Davao?) was bleech. The mangosteen swirl tasted chalky and not at all like mangosteen to me. I also didn't like the butterscotch (Iloilo).

My favorite BOP flavor so far is the caramel cashew fudge (not sure where. Based on the cashews it could be Antipolo or Palawan).

I also like this flavor from Selecta but I think all Selecta "ice creams" are mellorines.

Walker's Toffee Duo

I have a sweet tooth and after chocolate, I love toffee, the chewy kind.

I don't see toffee sold often so I grabbed this when I saw it at the supermarket. It only occurred to me to post the photo after I'd eaten the side with Brazil nuts. I'd have preferred other types of nuts but at least they're not peanuts!

I don't know why there's a check for "just good ingredients" when it has emulsifier, and palm oil instead of butter but well...

Custom Magnum Bar

I went to the pop-up store at SM Aura and got myself a customized Magnum:
Vanilla ice cream
Dark chocolate dip
Chopped pistachios
Roasted almonds
Freeze dried raspberries
Milk chocolate drizzle

I'd have wanted to try one of their restaurant offerings but there was nothing I could eat by myself so I had to settle for a Magnum. It was pretty good, but for Php120.00 once is enough. I'd prefer to pig out on a pint for that price.

Red food

Yummy, vine-ripened cherry tomatoes and a few strawberries from my dad's garden.

I only get to taste his produce around once a year, but I try to eat it every day I'm home in the province.