Top 5 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products Worth Investing In

 

It’s often said that nature made a healthier comeback during the pandemic, but it only really showed how much work we still need to do to enjoy a healthier environment in the decades to come. While the idea of reducing our impact on the planet seems daunting, an ideal place to start eco-friendly practices in your own home is in your kitchen, which is regarded as a heavy-use area.

Living a friendlier life towards the environment can start with small things like reducing your waste and changing out a few single-use disposable products you use to more sustainable and eco-friendly ones. To get started, here are a few kitchen essentials that could double as sustainable options:

·       Reusable kitchen towels

Paper towels in the kitchen can be convenient, but they can easily build up into a big pile of trash. Reusable kitchen towels are just as effective in cleaning up spills and kitchen mishaps without creating nearly as much waste as disposable towels. Reusable paper towels can be made of bamboo and cotton, cellulose sponge, or microfiber, which often require fewer raw materials. 

·       Beeswax food wraps 

If you’re the type to prepare meals to-go or store leftovers, you can trade single-use plastic cling film or aluminum wrap for beeswax food wraps. These self-adhesive and reusable pieces of fabric, made of organic cotton coated with beeswax, jojoba oil and resin, can be used to wrap sandwiches, cover bowls, or simply wrap half-cut ingredients. With regular use and proper care, these food wraps can last for at least a year. 

·       Non-disposal coffee makers

Switching to eco-friendlier coffee brewing methods, such as French press, stovetop espresso maker or AeroPress, can help reduce waste as they don’t need filters. If you still prefer pour-over, you can also switch out your single-use disposable filters to reusable cloth filters. Leftover coffee grinds can then be added to plants instead of being thrown out since they double as good fertilizer.

·       Compost bins

A great way to round out a kitchen’s sustainability is to be able to turn your leftover food waste into enriching food for your plants in the form of compost. If you find the idea of composting too intimidating, the bokashi bin is a beginner-friendly step. It is ideal for compact spaces, works with more food wastes, including fats, meat, bones, and dairy, and gives off less odor unlike its traditional counterparts. 

·       LPG kitchen fuel

The fuel you choose to use for cooking may not seem like an important sustainability choice but every little step to reducing waste and energy consumption can make a difference. LPG is regarded as a clean cooking fuel as it emits less carbon dioxide and is considered a more sustainable fuel substitute than kerosene, charcoal, or fuelwood. 

LPG brands like Solane LPG have also invested in ways to make their products more sustainable, such as creating the Bioseal, the first of its kind biodegradable LPG seal in the country. Unique to authentic Solane LPG products, the bioseal only takes five to 10 years to decompose compared to the 500 to 1,000 years common LPG plastic seals take. Only trusted LPG products like Solane LPG also produce a blue flame, which indicates that gas is being burned efficiently and without waste.

While these changes may seem small, when done together, they can impact how much you reduce waste or energy consumption. Sustainable practices do not have to come in the form of sweeping changes -- realistic ways to make your kitchen eco-friendly can go a long way in your journey of being kinder to the earth. 

To order verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline (+632 8887-5555), send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe). Customers may also place their order through the Solane Web Ordering platform (order.solane.com.ph), the Solane Facebook page (http://m.me/solane.ph), or place their orders through the Solane LPG app, available on the App Store or Google Play.

 

Here are five appliances and home equipment you should prioritize purchasing as you get started on your new life milestone

You’ve found the perfect place; you’ve fully paid your deposit and you’re excited to start living independently… but how do you start filling your new space? Whether you’ve just graduated from school and about to start working in a new place, or you’ve just tied the knot and savoring marriage before starting a family, you might feel a mix of excitement and some jitters when moving out of your childhood home.

With limited budget and the urgency of finally settling in a bare apartment or condo unit, the thought of buying appliances and furniture for your new place can be a bit overwhelming. However, you can survive the first few months of independence by learning to prioritize which appliances and tools to buy. 

Here are five appliances and home equipment you should prioritize purchasing as you get started on your new life milestone:

·       Electric fan

An electric fan is a non-negotiable in a humid country like the Philippines, even if your place has lots of windows. A stand fan is good for ventilating wide spaces, but if you have limited room, you could consider tower fans as they fit in tight spaces. Desk and floor fans are portable enough to be placed anywhere, while ceiling or wall fans could help you save floor space. But if you have the budget, investing in an air conditioning unit will provide extra comfort and help get you through the scorching summer days. 

 

·       Refrigerator

If you want to save time and money by cutting down on food delivery fees or dining out, a refrigerator is a must-have. In choosing your first fridge, consider your kitchen space and your food consumption habits. If you’re living alone and prefer cooking, a 3.5 cu. ft personal refrigerator with a freezer would be enough to store frozen goods while giving you enough space for your weeklong meal prep. If you would only like to keep your beverages cold and store minimal leftovers, a mini fridge might do.

·       Electric Kettle

An electric kettle is worth buying if you often need hot water for coffee, tea, chocolate, or even instant meals such as oatmeal and cup noodles, as it is a simple yet energy-efficient way to heat water. Electric kettles are usually made of food-grade plastic, stainless steel, or borosilicate glass. Basic yet functional ones allow you to just ‘switch it and forget it’ while other modern models have features like a clear water level gauge that allows you to check how much water is left, a cord storage and winder, and even a temperature controller. 

·       Vacuum Cleaner

A sturdy broom and dustpan might work for everyday cleaning, but a vacuum cleaner is a must-have to ensure you get rid of dust, debris, and other allergens, especially if you have a carpeted place or if you’re bringing a pet with you. A smart robot vacuum cleaner is the perfect hands-free companion for busy bees, while upright vacuum cleaners are lightweight and space-saving. There are also handy portable vacuum cleaners that are light enough to carry so you can reach difficult corners without dealing with long cords.

·       A gas stove

Moving out doesn’t mean you only have to settle with instant dishes and canned food. Enjoying a fresh, homecooked meal is possible if you invest in a quality stove, such as a gas cooktop, which heats up fast, is durable, allows better temperature control and does not rely on electricity. 

When buying a gas stove, it is also important to consider investing in a trusted kitchen fuel to ensure that it weighs correctly as advertised, lasts as intended and is guaranteed safe to use. 

If you have limited kitchen space, Solane Sakto, a mini-LPG tank containing 1.4 kg of kitchen fuel, is perfect for you. Aside from being a space saver, it is priced for as low as PHP 150 per refill, making it a safer alternative to dangerous fuel sources such as LPG-refilled butane canisters. One tank of Solane Sakto can last up to a week of cooking for the typical family of five, or up to three to four days for heavy cooking. 

Solane Sakto is guaranteed to have gone through proper safety checks to ensure the safety of your household. Fake or illegal LPG tanks that are usually dilapidated and rusty are prone to gas leaks that might cause explosions or fires, endangering the life you’re starting to build in your new home. 

As an added safety measure, Solane also conducts the 7-point Safety Check, an exclusive service provided to all Solane LPG home delivery customers nationwide, to ensure that your LPG is safely installed and make sure that your burner produces a blue flame to maintain the quality of your gas appliance.

 

Starting over in your new place might be difficult and heavy on the budget, but investing in quality equipment will help you save money and energy in the long run so you can upgrade your humble home. You don’t have to sacrifice safety and quality for cost with a trusted LPG like Solane. To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline (+632 8887-5555), send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe). Customers may also place their order through the Solane Web Ordering platform (order.solane.com.ph), the Solane Facebook page (http://m.me/solane.ph), or place their orders through the Solane LPG app, available on the App Store or Google Play. 

 

Solane wants to make sure that more Filipinos enjoy their meals and celebrations without breaking the bank

Solane has been a trusted companion of Filipino households when it comes to cooking for over 50 years, may it be simple #LutongSolane meals at home or grand and festive celebrations and get-togethers. This Christmas, Solane wants to make sure that more Filipinos enjoy their meals and celebrations without breaking the bank, even if they want to enjoy festive meals outside the house.

Solane is unveiling Solane Sakto, its mini-LPG tank holding 1.4 kilograms of kitchen fuel, perfect for budget-conscious households, students, small families, and small businesses. For the more adventurous types, Solane Sakto is also a great addition to cooking equipment to bring – no more canned food for camping!

It’s the same safe, sustainable, and quality kitchen fuel Filipinos have known, but in a sakto size! 

“We have long cultivated Filipinos’ passion for cooking and celebration by providing safe and quality kitchen fuel over the decades through Solane LPG,” said Jose Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Isla LPG, the company behind Solane. “Through the ‘tingi’ version of our trusted Solane LPG, we want more Filipinos to have access to affordable and quality kitchen fuel without compromising safety.” 

To show how Solane Sakto is the perfect companion for celebrating food outside the house, Solane hosted the ‘Saktong Salu-salo with Solane’ event. Guests were treated to mouthwatering dishes while enjoying an energetic chitchat with cooking enthusiast and proud long-time Solane user Suzi Entrata-Abrera. 

Chef Mark Joseph Bartolome, known as Chef Marky on Tiktok, demonstrated how to cook simple yet filling chicken fajitas, showing how the Solane Sakto is easy to install on existing LPG or canister-fed cooking stoves.

Chef Marky unveils the content of the mystery box he received from Solane

Guests also sampled best-selling dishes from some of the trendiest small businesses in the metro: Kahatea, Airballs 320, and Hungry Homies.

Guests took turns guessing the weight of Solane Sakto’s LPG content.

Solane Marketing Manager Kathy Mendez Cabisada and Solane Product Manager Gilbert Roque join Suzi and Chef Marky in exploring the new Solane Sakto LPG.

Swak Benefits in a Sakto Size

Solane Sakto’s saktong laki and saktong gaan makes it perfect for limited spaces and kitchens, such as condominium units, student dormitories and compact apartments. 

Designed with a collar handle for better grip, Solane Sakto is also portable enough to take anywhere, and can be used outdoors, perfect for out-of-town vacations, picnics, and camping. 

Priced at PHP 150 per refill, Solane Sakto is affordable and is a safer alternative than charcoal fuel wood and other dangerous fuel sources such as LPG-refilled butane canisters. It is the only small LPG SKU that is safe and compliant with the Department of Energy for indoor use. 

One Solane Sakto tank can last up to a week of cooking for the typical family of five. During unforeseen situations or emergencies, it can be used as a backup LPG tank, lasting up to 3-4 days for heavy cooking.

Like Solane 11 kilogram AS and POL tanks, authentic Solane Sakto cylinders also carry the important markings that certify their registration, the specific standards used, the date the cylinder was tested, as well as the tare weight in kilograms which is around 4.1 kg. Genuine Solane Sakto LPG tanks also come with a white biodegradable seal.

To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Solane Hatid Bahay Hotline +63 2 8887 5555 (Metro Manila) or place their orders through the Solane mobile app or through the Web Ordering Platform. For inquiries, they may also text or call +63 918 8875555 or +63 917 8977555 or send a message to Solane’s Facebook Messenger account.

Here are nutritious meals first-time parents can easily prepare

For first time parents, nothing beats the excitement and joy of seeing their new bundle of joy. However, first-time parenthood also means exhaustion from the erratic feeding-crying-sleeping-changing, dealing with a whirlwind of emotions, and adjusting to the trial-and-error nature of raising a tiny human.

Amid all the chaos of navigating a new life milestone, it’s important to stay well-fed to be able to have the energy to deal with the needs of a newborn, on top of taking care of other household duties.  

But who’s to say that new parents should settle for fast food deliveries? Here are nutritious meals first-time parents can easily prepare:

·       Wraps 

Handheld meals are best when you’re up and about, scrambling from one room to another. Parents who have their hands full will appreciate a quick bite when the new boss of the house is asleep.

To make a basic wrap, heat up your tortilla wrap, put the savory filling of your choice – it could be as simple as reheated beef, pork, or chicken or canned tuna, then add some greens and vegetables. 

Explore different fillings and flavors of meal wraps here.

·       One-Pot meals 

One-pot meals make sure you get your fill of grains, vegetables and protein in one go – no need to figure out how to mix and match dishes, devote hours of cooking separately or wash lots of pans and plates. 

Perfect as a weeknight dinner, one-pot meals such as rice bowls, pasta or casserole dishes, are surefire ways to enjoy your meal while still cutting down on chores.

Be inspired by these one-pot meals.

·       Heat-and-Eat meals 

Enjoy homecooked meals while still saving on time and energy when you do the practice of meal prep once or several times a week.  

You can cook your favorite ulam on a weekend, divide them into several portions good for one meal, then store them in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, simply pop in the microwave! 

Explore the basics of meal prepping here.

Aside from exploring easy and filling recipes, equipping the kitchen with appliances and tools that help cut down on prep time and cleaning will greatly help first-time parents. As first-time parents begin their parenthood journey, baby-proofing the house also extends to the kitchen. 

With so many things happening all at once, having a safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG gives first-time parents one less thing to worry about. Make sure your LPG is verified Solane because copycats and illegally refilled tanks are at risk of leaking, which may cause massive fires and endanger your home and family. Verified Solane LPGs go through the Timbang Challenge to guarantee that you get what you paid. They are also subject to stringent safety standards from the plant to the time they are welcomed to your homes to ensure that they are not a threat to your growing family. 

Spend more time cherishing moments with the family when you’re confident about the safety of your kitchen. To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline - (02) 8887-5555, send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe) or the Solane Facebook page, or place their orders through the Solane app.  Customers may also place an order through the Web Ordering Platform.

A Beginner’s Guide to Tipid Kitchen Hacks

 

If you’re someone who just transitioned to the ‘adulting stage’ by moving out of your home, perhaps you’ve heard of the term ‘meal prepping.’ 

You might have imagined moving out as being able to cook delicious dinner after a day’s work. But chances are, there will always be days when you’re already too tired to think of a recipe to whip up and you end up getting fast food instead.

Enter ‘meal prepping,’ the concept and process of planning, preparing or cooking meals, dishes or ingredients ahead of schedule. 

Meal prep is particularly popular for busy people as it saves time and energy. Devoting a few hours over the weekend to plan and prepare ahead means no longer having to think of what to cook thrice a day for the weekday.

Because it also involves a lot of planning, it can be a sulit way to stick to your budget – which means less impulsive food deliveries or drive-thru. If you're health conscious, meal prep allows you able to control portions and choose your ingredients – after all, healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive.

Where do I start? 

Meal prep takes commitment and careful planning for it to work. Here are some basic steps in starting out:

·       Find a method to organize your meal plan

To make your meal prepping manageable, you can download a smartphone app or write down your meal plan in your personal planner. For easier visibility, you can also opt for a whiteboard that can be attached to the fridge or anywhere in the kitchen. 

·       Get reusable, airtight food storage containers 

Invest in meal prep containers that can keep your food fresh inside the fridge while considering your lifestyle. Clear containers will help you see the contents in one go while some glass containers are microwavable- and oven-friendly. You can also opt for BPA-free food-grade silicon storage bags instead of single-use plastic when freezing meals or ingredients.

·       Invest in safe and reliable kitchen essentials 

Meal prepping is fun, convenient, and sulit when you can also rely on your kitchen essentials. To make your meal prep easier, invest in the right kitchen tools. A chopper and dicer with interchangeable blades will speed up ingredient preparation while an egg and vegetable steamer will cut your cooking time and enable you to multitask. Investing in non-stick cookware will also make it easier for you to clean up.

Being a ‘legit adult’ also means knowing which products are safe and will give you your money’s worth in the long run. 

Be confident about cooking on your own by choosing only a safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG. Make sure it’s Verified Solane because copycats and illegal refillers are never safe and are not worth the price. Only Verified Solane LPGs go through the Timbang Challenge so you’re guaranteed to get what you paid for!

Adulting in the kitchen is fun when you’re confident that your meal prep and cooking won’t endanger you! To order Verified Solane LPG for a safe home, send a message to 0918-887-5555 or the Solane Facebook page, or place your order through the Solane app.