i'm on a diet...or at least i try.

Going Flexitarian

2011-02-12T17:35:00.000+08:00

My blogger slash yogini friend often talks about how she has gone flexitarian.So, what exactly is a flexitarian? From what I understand (yes, based on the best information source, Google, haha), one who is a flexitarian is somewhat of a meat-eating vegan. Lemme rephrase that: they are those who follow a mostly vegetarian diet but on occasion eat meat.

In my quest to becoming healthier and to lose weight, I have found that giving up a lot of red meat and pork has helped a lot, but I don't think I'm ready or willing for that matter, to switch to a full vegan diet. However, I have seen myself become more health conscious in the way I pick my meals. When I go to the market, for example, I no longer by slabs of beef or steaks, instead, I buy fresh fish and fresh produce more.

I am lucky that fresh seafood and the like is readily available in my local groceries. For example, it might be harder to buy oysters if you were in a far off location that took a lot of time to travel to and was far from the source. Nonetheless, if you really wanted to go healthier, I'm sure you'd find ways to do that.

The common downfall, however, to switching to a more flexitarian or perhaps less meat based diet is the tendency to run out of new ways too cook these items. After all, how many ways can you dress up a fish, right? However, the internet is definitely a vast resource of great recipes to check out, so that should make for lots of experiments to try. I even came across a cocktail recipe with oysters at the ILoveBlueSea blog!

At the end of the day, however, what I think is most important is not whether you go vegan or not, but it's making sure you make healthier choices and eat in moderation.

Minute Maid Pulpy: All Natural Liquid Sunshine

2011-01-10T09:30:00.003+08:00

I just drank a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy. They say it’s got ‘no preservatives added’. Aw, c’mon…It’s bottled juice. Is that even possible? So I thought maybe... it's yet another one of those things people just say...but you know, it really is a bottle full of freshly squeezed liquid sunshine.Yuummmy!!! Being the beach lover that I am, it sure hits the spot whenever I am off for a weekend beach getaway :)

I didn’t believe it the first time I heard it’s got no preservatives added. So I read the ingredients (even the fine print) and everything checked out! It really has NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED! That means it doesn’t have ingredients that may turn out to be allergens, or worse...carcinogens! Whew! Now that’s healthy goodness that tastes so good, I... can enjoy it's yummy goodness without worrying about anything at all!

So okay, it’s got no preservatives added. That’s really good, right? Not just because it doesn’t have those icky, harmful ingredients, but it also means... it's a better alternative to sodas and those sugary powdered juices that are heavily laden with sugar...which means excess calories that will definitely work against my quest at becoming a Fat Girl no More!

So far anyone who still has a hard time believing that Minute Maid has got no preservatives added - meaning it's THAT natural, it's almost like it's plucked straight from the tree, it's just as Mother Nature wanted your orange juice to be, it's got nothing but the good stuff yes, none of those potentially toxic stuff that can harm your brain, kidneys, heart; cause tumors aargh- the list of preservatives' bad effects just go on!!! Anyway, just to prove a point on just how good Minute Maid Pulpy is 'cause it's got NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED, I'm gonna make sure I've got me some Minute Maid Pulpy Orange stocked up in my refrigerator so I can grab a bottle of my favorite liquid sunshine any time of day :)

Feels good to know about the real pulpy deal, right? C’mon show me a smile on the comment box, and you might win yourself a Really Pulpy Deal! (That’s a chance to win a Minute Maid gift pack simply by commenting. Sweet! C'mon you just might be picked as the lucky 'commentor'!)

Love,

Ria

Do you like Minute Maid Pulpy too? When I heard about this contest from Ms. Janette Toral, I knew I just had to share my thoughts on it.

You too can share your love for Minute Maid Pulpy and get the chance to win up to Php 20,000 by simply blogging about it! Drop me a comment here too and stand the chance to win that gift pack!!!

Join Lea and Be a Souperstar :-)

2010-08-27T03:42:00.000+08:00

Being a teacher, one thing my kids' parents always ask me is how to get their kids to have better eating habits.Often times, they complain about how they can't get their kids to finish their food or to eat healthier food options. They also talk about how difficult it is to get kids to eat something other than fried chicken, chicken nuggets or hotdogs.

My answer has always been the same: there are three steps to good eating habits. These are setting a routine, firmly and consistently observing this routine and being creative with what you give them. For example, getting kids to eat vegetables can be a challenge. Rather than giving them the veggies as they are, incorporate it into other dishes, such as adding shredded carrots to burger patties. Also, kids love soup on their rice, so they can definitely use this to their advantage. This is made even simpler with one of the most widely known and long-trusted soups, Knorr.

However, coming up with new and interesting recipes on a daily basis can be difficult for busy moms and homemakers. In comes Lea, who describes herself as a "domesticated Carrie". As the Souperstar of the blogosphere, she shares here experiences of trying to juggle everything a busy mom has to deal with on an everyday basis in her blog. She also shares different soup recipes in her blog. Her recipes are not only about soups, but also about how you can use the different Knorr soups in various recipes that kids will surely love.

Join Lea Souperstar in her continued quest to be the best mom she can be :-)

Homemade Tofu Burgers

2010-08-06T21:39:00.001+08:00

Because I've been trying to diet (yes, totoo na!) I tried out tofu burgers because I've been craving for the real thing in a major way! But because I am determined to lose weight, I compromised.

I must say, these burgers taste better than they look, and seem for that matter.

Before making this, I Googled various recipes for it but I ended up just making one up along the way :-) This is my recipe. However, since it was an experiment, I didn't really measure stuff.

1/2 a block of tofu (the firm type. if you're using the small squares, two of those would suffice, I suppose :-)
a handful of oyster mushrooms, diced
1 slice of bread, chopped into small pieces
1 egg
5 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Crumble the tofu in a large bowl.
2. Add in your garlic, mushrooms, and bread.
3. Mix well. Add in the egg until incorporated well. Season as you desire.
4. The mixture appears a little wet, but it holds when shaped into a patty (not as nicely as a meat patty though)
5. Fry in olive oil (regular oil will suffice).

That's it :-) Even Bubba enjoyed sharing my burger. When I share regular fried tofu with him he spits it out, but this he liked.

Some other recipes called for breadcrumbs instead of the bread that I used, and some added onions to it, but since I've been too lazy to go to the grocery, I ran out of onions!

An alternative I plan to try in the future is making it a Turkey Tofu Burger. Yum!

Happiness is a great bowl of tom yum!

2010-08-05T23:48:00.002+08:00

After swearing off food events for the past three months in my quest to be a Fat Girl No More, I broke my fast for a Taste of Thailand at the Marriott Manila last night. And boy, was it a wonderful break!

My tummy is still reeling from all the sumptuous food I sampled!

As I told Chef Thanathorn Krobsuay, Thai cuisine is by far my most favorite in the whole world. In fact, it was even what I wrote about in the Yummy contest last year. When I saw the dishes in front of me, I immediately went into "takaw" mode, but I quelled that by taking photos first.

Initially, I was a bit disappointed because I did not see my favorite dish on the table, Tom Yum Goong. Well, apparently I was wrong because it was there! The reason why I thought it wasn't there was because I was looking for the signature red broth of tom yum, but what they had was the white one (which I understand is made of coconut milk). As soon as I tasted it though, I was in heaven. Yes, happiness indeed.

There were also a host of other Thai dishes on the menu:

And for dessert:

For a Thai food lover like me, I would have to say that The Flavors of Thailand buffet at tha Marriott Hotel Manila is by far the closest I've been to Thailand while in Manila. The buffet is available for lunch and dinner daily at Php 1,350 (Php 675 for children). Sunday Brunch runs at Php 1,650.

Besides the authentic Thai spread, diners can also enjoy a wide array of other very delicious dishes. From fabulous appetizers to indulgent desserts, an evening at the Marriott Manila will definitely be a belly-filling experience!

For more larger, more detailed and higher resolution photos, check out my Flickr page :-)

On A Diet Daw turns One!

2010-04-10T23:37:00.000+08:00

I didn't realize how quickly time flies! It's hard to believe that one year has passed already since I started blogging in this domain. If only I had been more aware (or perhaps paid more attention!) I could have hosted a contest! The reason why I actually realized that my blog had turned one year old was because I was thinking of cooking up a contest and I was browsing on what merchandise to use as a prize. I wanted to do something like what the site Patay Gutom did with their key chain promo.

Anyway, although I may not use it for this particular blog, I thought about mugs or perhaps custom t shirts as promotional materials and prizes for my future contests.I liked looking through the music tshirts category because they had cute slogans and designs, but for my purpose, I probably would use something in the food or education sections. I know I don't really have a large fan base yet, or have something to really advocate for at this point in time, but I guess this can be handy information in the future. For example, my cousin Inaki, who is running for a counselor seat in his home province this coming elections, can sure use inspiration from the T-shirt Guy to come up with a catchy and effective campaign t-shirt.

The Divine Old Vine

2010-04-01T21:07:00.000+08:00

this is the long overdue part two of a pre-Valentine blogger treat sponsored by the Old Vine and Kuse restaurants, located at the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill.

Before I started my blog post on the pre-Valentines dinner for bloggers, I said the two restaurants that sponsored the event deserved two separate blog posts simply because their food was fantastic :-) And I'm not just saying that because I was invited to the event! Seriously, these two restaurants are must-try's.

I particularly enjoyed the dishes served by Old Vine. As the title of this post goes, it was divine!

For starters we had the Tessie Tomas Salad (Php 295 for the regular, Php 595 for the large), Seared Tuna Tataki (Php 220/410)and Salmon Carpaccio (Php230/420) . All three were great but I enjoyed the Seared Tuna Tataki best.

For the main course, my favorite was the Poele Lamb Spareribs. It comes with a cilantro-curry sauce with mushrooms and vegetable risotto. I liked how the curry sauce was not too overwhelmingly-curried. The risotto was also nice and flavorful.

I am not a big fan of dory, particularly because I don't like the texture of the fish. However, the Baked Cream Dory in Old Vine made me change my mind. It had a very good flavor that compensated for my dislike for the texture of the fish. This dish is served with angel hair pesto.

During our pre-Valentine dinner, we also got to sample the Peppered Steak and the Chef's Quarter Steak. We also got to sample some great desserts! Boy was I full!

Old Vine is located at the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig.

Summer Kitchenomics

2010-03-28T23:02:00.002+08:00

Being a part-time teacher, summertime means no salary. As such, I have paused to take stock over my financial situation and was appalled by the fact that over half of my salary goes to food. Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. Suffice it to say that everyday that I go to work, I spend about (at the minimum) Php 120.00 for meals and drinks.

Making baon is not always the easiest thing to do but I have decided that over the summer, I will try to figure out a way to make mealtimes more economical and practical. Also, I think preparing my own meals will be healthier, right?

One way I plan to do this is to experiment on quick and easy recipes that I can keep handy so when classes start up again, I will have them on hand and ready to go. I remember when I was younger, I'd grab a bunch of those Del Monte Kitchenomics recipes in the grocery by the meat or dairy sections. Most of my favorite Del Monte recipes would include pineapples and tomato sauce in the dishes. Although I dislike fresh pineapples, I seem to like it in some cooked dishes, like adobo. I haven't seen those in a while but a quick Google search led me to an upgraded version of these recipes :-) Yup, they're online! Those recipes I used to get in the past were quite helpful in teaching me how to cook, which was a good thing because my mom was never much of a cook. The online portal, on the other hand, seems like a more interactive approach compared to the past paper versions because mom's (or pretend mom's like me!) can share recipes and tips on how to make their mealtimes more affordable yet still delicious and healthy. Promos, resources, and new products can also be found in the site so this gives members a heads-up on what's out there. There are also games and articles that can help make kids aware of the importance of healthy eating.

So, come June, I hope to be more consistent in preparing meals to bring to work. Hopefully this can help cut down on my expenses and better yet, help me live up to the statement: I'm on a diet! A healthy one, that is :-)

Tea Party for Two

2010-03-17T20:06:00.000+08:00

photo by Janine

Watching the movie Alice in Wonderland recently made me think back to the time when I was still a little girl and I'd have tea parties with my dolls and stuffed animals. Now that I'm older, my tea parties have evolved, but it still is a great way to catch up with old friends. My tea parties are now in one of the local coffee shops (yes, they do serve tea!) where I get to enjoy lots of different kinds of teas. I particularly like chai tea lattes but nothing really beats dipping tea bags or tea leaves in a pot of hot water and pouring it right out of a teapot to a little matching tea cup. I remember that when I was younger, I wanted to start collecting tea sets because of the cartoon Beauty and the Beast. Remember Mrs. Potts and Chip? They were so cute!

A popular trend nowadays are the instant green teas that come in all different flavors. It definitely is a refreshing and healthy alternative to the carbonated soda craze that was the norm for most of my growing up years. Compared to sodas, green tea is known for it's health benefits that can help lower cholesterol. It is also known to be helpful for many diseases such as cancers, diabetes, and other diseases. It can also help with weight loss.

With tea becoming a popular beverage nowadays, people are surely becoming more aware not just of the benefits of tea, but also the different kinds of teas out there. There are tea stores now where you can get an assortment of leaves and the like. These are great gift alternatives, in fact. Rather than Over the holidays, my cousin made a lot of hand painted tea chests that she gave out to our aunts. It was a big hit! I kinda wish she gave me one too. I'd fill mine up with mint teas. What about you, what's your type of tea?

Taking the Green Step Forward

2010-03-04T19:54:00.000+08:00

Last night before catching the special screening of Alice in Wonderland, my blogger friend Earth and I had dinner at El Pollo Loco. It was the first time I had tried that restaurant and I was quite disappointed for two reasons. For one, I was expecting something different when I ordered the nachos but I ended up with something that was too fried/oily for my taste. To be fair, the soft taco I ordered was tasty, but not as good as I was hoping it would be. I think Earth liked the taco she ordered though, because when I finally arrived, she went to get another one. What disappointed me though was that almost everything we ordered came in styrofoam boxes. And take note: we ordred for dine-in.

Albeit, comparatively, I am not a very staunch advocate for the environment, but I have realized that each one of us has to take responsibility for our share of destruction to our environment. This is why I applaud restaurants that make an effort to make their carbon footprint impact less. For example, when I was in Cebu last week, the Taters store I ordered in had a big sign encouraging customers to not take too many tissues and plastic bags. Starbucks likewise has that sign posted by their tissue dispensers.

During the recent Superbowl, there was an ad about the audi green police and it was nice to see that even these companies are trying to make an impact on changing the habits of people around the world. Even though the ad was a bit of a caricature of the Green Police, which are environment advocates and in various parts of the world, the Audi Green Police tries to help consumers make more environmentally-appropriate choices, such as whether to use paper or plastic.

The real Green Police is an environmental task force that aims to monitor citizens of New York (there is also a UK counterpart) and their waste management habits as well as their CO2 emissions. I hope we can have something to this regard also here in Manila. I think we are a little to callous and careless about our wastes and while I do see the convenience plastic, styro and the like give us, it needs to be changed or else we will have another Typhoon Ondoy disaster in the making.

Bloggers Take on Yoshinoya

2010-02-21T21:55:00.000+08:00

Yoshinoya, the home of the famous beef bowl, recently graciously hosted a dinner for some food loving Bloggers.

some of the foodies

photo credit: Iris Camille Mejia-Acosta of pinayads.com

I had tried Yoshinoya once for take out and it was quite a pleasant experience but since that time, I never had a chance to go back, mainly because there is no branch near my place. Suffice it to say I was really glad to have gotten the opportunity to come back and sample their menu once again.

There are so many options to choose from! I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to try so I opted for one of the Jumbo plates, which is a bed of rice topped with their famous Gyudon Beef plus either Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Yakiniku, or Ebi Tempura. I tried the Jumbo C (P165), which is a combination of the Gyudon Beef and Tempura.

I enjoyed the dish a lot! It was really good. Though the beef may not look like much (partly due to my not so good photography skills!) but it is really tender and tasty. I like how there is a bit of fat in the beef, but not too much that it makes it nakakaumay.

A big hit for many of us that night was the Japanese Fried Chicken with Karaage Sauce. The yummy vinegar dip was perfect with the crispy chicken. I liked how the chicken was not oily at all, which is generally the case for many fried chicken dishes.

It was a belly-filling night for sure! I am a big Japanese restaurant fan and I love how Yoshinoya makes many of my favorites pocket-friendly AND high-quality. They definitely did not sacrifice quality for affordability.

However, for those who are watching their weight, I asked what would be the best option for a dieter. It was suggested to me that if you are on a diet, try the Chicken Teriyaki rice bowl.

It looks yummy, doesn't it? With a good mix of chicken and vegetables, the toppings are enough to fill you up.

Yoshinoya also offers Shu Mai, Yoshinoya Skewers and and several desserts. Do try the Citrus Green Tea which is simply delicious and very refreshing.

Visit Yoshinoya in the following venues:
SM Megamall Building A
Robinsons Galleria
SM North Edsa
Greenhills Carpark 2
SM Mall of Asia
Sta. Lucia East
Park Square 1

Take a Love Bite with Krispy Kreme!

2010-02-12T11:05:00.001+08:00

This Valentine's Day take a love bite with Krispy Kreme's limited edition heart shaped doughnuts.

Indulge in this sweet Valentine treat while enjoying the Krispy Kreme-approved movie for this love season: the romantic comedy Valentine's Day starring Oscar award winning actress Julia Roberts, heartthrobs Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey, Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift.

Check out the new Krispy Kreme Heart Shaped doughnut with Hershey's Kisses chocolate available only from February 8 to 14. Old favorites like the New York Cheesecake, Hershey's Dark Chocolate, Hershey's Cookies and Cream, Peanut Butter & Kreme, Blueberry Cheesecake, Snickers Classic, Chocolate Custard Filled, Sugar, Caramel Kreme Crunch and Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles also come in the limited heart-shaped edition. Take home a dozen for only Php 365.00.

Krispy Kreme is located in the following malls:
Bonifacio High Street
Greenhills
SM Mall of Asia
Trinoma
SM Megamall
SM San Lazaro
Ayala Avenue
Robinsons Galleria
Gateway Mall
Glorietta 4
SM City Annex (North EDSA)
Annex 2 SM Fairview
Eastwood
Marquee Mall

log on to www.krispykreme.com.ph to get updates on your favorite treat :-)

Rediscovering Filipino Cuisine with Kusê

2010-02-10T19:01:00.000+08:00

this is the first of two parts to the fabulous belly busting pre-Valentine feast we bloggers were treated to at Old Vine and Kusê located at the Venice Piazza Mall at McKinley Hill, Taguig.

There's really no substitute to honest to goodness Filipino food. Last week, I was among several bloggers treated to an early Valentines feast by owner Larry Cortez and by nights end, I was stuffed beyond belief! I was so full I had to pass on two of the dishes they had served us, the classic Bulalo and inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly). It smelled so good and I really wanted to eat more but there was no way I could. And that's a lot coming from me!

My favorite dish for the evening was the Fried Pla-pla with burong mustasa, balo-balo, escabeche and tomato salsa. I don't really know what escabeche is but I definitely LOVE balo-balo which is a (if I'm not mistaken) Kapampangan delicacy. It is a concoction made of fermented rice and generally has a very unpleasant smell. The one we had in Kusê, however, was not very stinky. It was perfect with the salsa and the fried fish. At first I though the fish was Tilapia and was surprised at how big it was! This dish costs Php 295.00 and for me, is worth every peso, seriously!

It also complemented their best-selling Garlic Dulong rice nicely.A bowl of this yummy fried rice costs Php 95.00 and is good for sharing.

An interesting dish I sampled that night was the Paco Salad sa Laguna (Php 165.00), which is served with kesong puti and red eggs. Paco is, as I understand it, a kind of plant that thrives in the cool climate of Laguna.

For dessert, Kusê offers an different but definitely delicious sapin-sapin.

Overall, I would rate my dining experience at Kusê as excellent :-) An added bonus to dining at Kusê is that it is adjoined to Old Vine, so if you are craving for a more international flavor, you can just walk on over and order from that menu too.Watch out for my Old Vine review!

Healthier Options at TGI Fridays: Shanghai Chicken Salad

2010-02-03T15:54:00.000+08:00

One of my favorite dining places has always been TGI Fridays. Albeit on the more pricey side for everyday, going to Fridays is always is a pleasurable dining experience. However, since I have been trying to work on having a healthier diet lately, I had to think twice about what I would order from their menu. My standard favorite has always been the Chicken Fingers, which are hand battered chicken tenders, fried to a golden brown and served with a honey mustard dipping sauce. It is served partnered with a plate of fries just the way I like it: thick with the skin on. While the chicken tenders may sound relatively heathy, I think the fried part plus the side dish of fries takes away whatever healthy features it may have. So today I decided to get the Friday's Shanghai Chicken Salad (Php 440.00).

I know ordering salads can often be a trap because not all salads are technically "healthy". While the greens may be good, the add-ons plus the dressing can be heavily laden with calories. Take for example a Ceasar's Salad. Salad, but lots of calories! The Shanghai Chicken Salad, on the other hand, seemed to be better choice given what it has on it.

The Shanghai Chicken Salad is a mix of Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, Mandarin Oranges, chilled fire grilled chicken strips tossed lightly with a yummy cilantro lime dressing. The dressing is oil based as compared to other dressings which are creamier or more on the mayo side. I opted to have the dressing on the side so I can cut down on extra calories, which I did by using only half of the dressing served. I love this salad a lot because it has a nice balance between sweet and tangy. It's a refreshing and light salad, with just enough protein to make it filling and satisfying

The only downside is that their lunch size serving is no longer on the menu.While I finished the entire salad (after about three hours!), it's a little on the expensive side for an ordinary lunch date on your own.

Sun, Sand and a Minute Maid: Instant Refreshment!

2010-01-28T21:11:00.001+08:00

When Noemi of Pinoy Food and Other Cuisine posed the question about how you can best enjoy Minute Maid, I thought long and hard about it. It would be great on a picnic, as she so aptly wrote in her blog. It would make a fabulous punch with some chopped fruits for a little soiree. It could also be a fun drink for a tea party for little girls to enjoy! A Minute Maid Pulpy Orange drink could also be enjoyed after a long, hard days work or as a picker-upper when your mood starts to droop. It would be great to fight off colds and as a soothing and refreshing quencher when you are feeling feverish as the icy cool juice slides down your hot throat. There definitely are so many ways to enjoy Minute Maid but for me, the best way is to take a half-frozen bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange (or Mango Orange if you prefer) down to the beach for some well-deserved R&R.

With a Minute Maid on hand, I get to cool down after lounging in the sun and soaking up the beauty of nature! It's fresh taste and pulpy bits helps quench my thirst plus keeps my well hydrated. What's great about Minute Maid Pulpy Orange is that it's flavor is as close to nature as you can get. It doesn't have that fake orange-y taste at all. The pulp bits are plump and juicy and in abundance throughout the entire bottle.

There's something, in my opinion, very primal about sitting in the sand. It's kinda like going to the very core of my soul. The Minute Maid I am drinking is kind of like that, I'd like to think. It's like going back to the very core of nature. Why? Because of the freshly squeezed taste of that natural orange goodness plus all the refreshing and juicy pulpy bits. Every gulp is definitely cools you down, inside and out! That's how I best enjoy my Minute Maid Pulpy Orange!

I Got Sango-ed!

2010-01-23T19:08:00.004+08:00

I've read many a Plurk, Tweet and status message about how people are craving for Sango burgers but I never really had a chance to try it because it's kinda hard to access. There are only a few branches and those were only in the malls I never really frequented. However, this morning after work at Shangri-La mall, I was walking towards Starbucks when I saw in the corner of my eye the newly opened Sango restaurant. I wasted no time getting Sango-ed!

I asked the waitress what the Sango specialty was and she said it was the Sango Master Burger (Php 125.00) and the Yakiniku Rice Burger (Php 125.00). It was hard to decide what to try today because both looked good, and they've both been given positive reviews by people I know. For some reason, despite my strong craving for a good burger, I ordered the Yakiniku Rice Burger.

I was slightly disappointed with my choice, not because it wasn't good, but because I had not satisfied the burger craving! Nonetheless, the Yakiniku Rice Burger was good and very filling. The meat was tender and had just the right amount of fat that I like when I eat beef. It was also very flavorful: sweet and slightly salty but not not overwhelming. The rice was not as sticky as I wanted it, but had the typical Japanese rice quality to it.

Over all my first Sango experience was a pleasant one. The waitress was accommodating and took the time explaining the differences between their specialties. Despite having this for take-out, my burger was still pretty good even after the forty-five minute car ride. It smelled so good it took every ounce of effort on my part not to eat it while stuck in traffic!!!

Sango The Burger Master can be found at the following locations:
Rockwell Power Plant Mall, 1st Level, Makati City
Creekside Mall, Ground Floor, Amorsolo cor Herrera Sts., Makati City
Alabang South Supermarket, Alabang Zapote Road
Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 6th Level (near the Cineplex), EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City

Ensuring Clean Tablecloths with Cheap Tumble Dryers

2010-01-23T17:07:00.000+08:00

If there is one thing I cannot stand, it's seeing crumby food stains in my tablecloth. While this cannot be avoided, I always tell my companions that we should all take responsibility for ourselves and clean up after we eat. Some suggestions I've made are as follows:

1. Pick of the dropped food item with a paper table napkin or paper towel as soon as it happens.
2. If sauces or dips spill, wipe with a dampened paper towel asap.
3. Use one of the plastic placemats we have so we can avoid the hassle of having to clean up the table cloth after every meal.

To be fair, when it's daily dining, we are able to keep this in check most of the time. However, during parties or our weekly family day, there always seems to be some kinda mishap. I know it's difficult to wash and dry our tablecloths since we have a large 12-seater table so I promised to check out some Cheap Tumble Dryers to make cleaning up easier and quicker for all.

Cucumber with Yogurt Dressing

2010-01-17T18:52:00.000+08:00

Inspired by the Greek appetizer tzatziki, this cucumber with yogurt salad is an very refreshing and nutritious alternative to a green salad. There are many variations of tzatziki. Some add dill to it or even grated cucumbers but being the lazy cook that I am, I enjoy just making a simple yogurt dressing to throw over fresh cucumbers. It is also a good variation to the typical cucumber salad with vinaigrette that we Filipinos serve. Making the yogurt dressing is the simplest thing: just mix the unsweetened natural yogurt with crushed garlic, season with salt and pepper and viola, instant dressing. I sprinkle it with a little bit of sugar just to give it a sweet-sour taste. It is best to peel and remove the seeds of the cucumber before mixing this together because the seeds and the center of the cucumber kinda water down the dressing a lot. I love serving this with fried fish because the flavors mix so well. It also goes well with pork chops and inihaw na liempo or grilled pork belly. But to be honest: even on it's own, it's wonderful. An added bonus: great for weight watchers!

Scrambled Tofu: A New Way to Enjoy an Old Favorite.

2010-01-15T21:59:00.002+08:00

I have to give credit to my colleague L's mother for introducing me to the idea of scrambled tofu. The first time I heard it, I was a bit skeptical. I had never thought of cooking tofu this way. However, after trying it once, I was hooked! I can honestly eat this for days on end. What I like best about it, besides the fact that it is uber healthy, is that cooking it is so easy and flexible.It can be prepared totally vegetarian or mixed with meats or hams for those who want the added flavor. I have mixed this up with so many different ingredients and I have yet to find one that does not sit with me well. My favorite add-on to this is fresh shitake mushrooms.

This is how I prepare my scrambled tofu:

Ingredients:

2-4 squares (or 1 big block) of tokwa (I prefer the local tofu compared to the Japanese kind because it is firmer), crumbled
half of a large white onion, chopped
tomatoes (amount depends on you. I like lots of tomatoes in my dish), chopped
2 tablespoons butter (may be
spring onions (optional)

Procedure:

In a pan, melt butter and sauté onions and tomatoes.
Add in crumbled tofu. Mix until tofu is cooked, about 5 minutes.
Add in spring onions and whatever add-on you prefer.

Possible add-ons:

strips of Spam (I love the hot and spicy kind!)
fresh mushrooms, Shitake being my favorite!
cooked shrimps
ham or bacon bits
whatever floats your boat!

All Natural Homemade Yogurt

2010-01-12T22:56:00.003+08:00

For my blog readers who have been following me for quite some time, I think it would be safe to say that you know how much I love frozen yogurt. Regular yogurt is another big favorite, whether on its own or as a dressing for salads. Soon, I promise to post one of my favorite dishes with yogurt, but for now, let me share with you a new source of healthy, all-natural and freshly made yogurt.

Based in Paranaque, Nanette Saenz started cultivating her yogurt initially for home consumption but soon, family and friends began asking her to make some for them and before long, she began offering this to an extended network. When asked what makes her yogurt different from commercial ones, this is her reply:

The milk we use is from New Zealand and/or Australia because if I'm not mistaken, they do not pump their cows with hormones and unnecessary antibiotics, as other milk-producing countries are said to do. Also, we use whole milk, not powdered and reconstituted. We would be hewing more closely to nature if the water component of the milk came from the cows themselves, rather than from our water supply, well-filtered as it might be.

Unsweetened yogurt gives you the most flexibility. Toss in chopped sweet fruit, raisins, nuts & roasted oat meal and you have a delicious breakfast or snack. Those with sugar issues can sweeten it with sugar substitutes. It can be used as a base for salad dressings or as an alternative to sour cream or mayo.

The honey we use is extra virgin dark tropical honey. It contains Vitamin C, catalase (an enzyme we need) & selenium (promotes good cell function). Pinocembrin, a potent antioxidant, is unique in dark honey.

The fruit in our yogurt is canned without harmful preservatives and artificial (or, as some product labels read, "nature-identical" ) flavors. Soon, we will be producing variants with fresh fruit and dried fruit. Frankly, from a consumer's point of view, it would be best to purchase just the yogurt and add the fruit yourselves. In this way, you not only save price-wise but you also eat the freshest fruit possible.

It takes 3 cups of regular yogurt--and thrice as much time--to make 1 cup of Greek yogurt. The resulting product, however, is well worth the trouble and expense. It is eaten traditionally with honey and chopped pistachios or walnuts. An order of this, about 1/2cup yogurt served in nice stemware, costs P170 in a leading Greek restaurant in Manila. It makes an excellent base for tzatziki, the Greek salad dressing, or the Middle Eastern white sauce that accompanies shawarma.

Yogurt freezes very well, by the way, so you can stock up without risk of spoilage. Freezing the fruit variants are a great way to get the kids to eat healthy. Also, yogurt is the answer for those with lactose intolerance who need the goodness of milk. The microorganisms in it digest the lactose and convert it to lactase, which is readily acceptable to the digestive system.

The cup in the price list below is a standard measuring cup. The quantity of the most saleable supermarket yogurts is 1/2 cup or less. Do the math and you'll see that you'll be paying less for much better yogurt.

Price list

Full-cream:
Unsweetened         P42/cup
With honey            48/cup
With fruit             58/cup
Greek                   126/cup

Non-fat:

Unsweetened         P46/cup
With honey             52/cup
With fruit                62/cup
Greek              138/cup

In support of the environment, you are encouraged to bring your own containers. Any container with a good lid will do--glass, Tupperware, reusable plastic tub; the only requirement is that it be very clean and very dry. For those who prefer to purchase their yogurt in plastic cups (1/2-cup capacity) or tubs (1 1/2-cup capacity), there's an additional charge of P4 and P7, respectively.

For more details and orders please email nssaenz@yahoo.com. At present orders are exclusively for pick-up only. Do feel free to drop her a line anytime!

Happy, healthy eating, everyone!

Smoke Resto

2010-01-05T09:35:00.001+08:00

Trying to find a good yet pocket-friendly place to eat along the famed White Beach of Boracay Island is like looking for a needle in a haystack. To be fair, there are new places all around the new D'Mall that are more affordable than the restaurants on the main beach, but if you're looking for something different from what you can normally get here in Manila, try out Smoke Resto. It's a bit of a walk from the beach, but it is so worth it!

I first discovered Smoke way back in 2005 on one of my spur of the moment trips to Boracay. My cousin was still living in the island and she introduced me to the "cheap" alley where great meals are waiting to be explored! Back then, however, it was much cheaper than today. However, for about Php 80-125, meals are still cheaper than in the beachfront restaurants. It was so cheap, in fact, that one year, we ate almost all our meals there for the duration of our stay.

My favorite order is the Beef Salpicao, now priced at Php 90. It is a bowl of rice topped with tender beef strips, slightly spicy and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I love the flavor of this dish. It is not too salty nor too plain for my taste. This time however, I ordered the stuffed squid with vegetables. I would have preferred the squid to be grilled and seasoned a little more, but when dipped in soy sauce and vinegar, it was pretty good. I enjoyed the huge serving of vegetables though.

In the past few years, the menu of Smoke has grown a lot. I have yet to try many of their new dishes. I can't wait to go back to the island to do so!

Smoke Resto is located a few meters away from the Hey! Jude RESORT (not bar!).

Oodles of Goodness at Goodles

2010-01-03T21:55:00.001+08:00

One of my favorite comfort foods is pasta. Be it smothered in a garlic and tomato based sauce or thick and creamy white sauce, it surely hits the spot for me. Despite my being a big pasta lover, I tend to shy away from ordering pasta whenever I am out for two reasons: one, I cook really good pasta (I will share one of my favorite recipes soon!) and two, really good pasta, I mean with the authentic, honest-to-goodness fresh taste at an affordable price is hard to come by. However, after trying out Goodles, a new and hip pasta place down at Robinson's Galleria, I changed my mind.

Goodles offers a wide array of innovative and sumptuous pasta dishes. Even the old classics such as carbonara and pesto are given a tasty new twist. To top it off, all pasta dishes range from only Php 130 to 170 only. What makes Goodles different from just the ordinary pasta place is that it offers fast, fresh and healthy choices in easy-to-go cups. This makes it perfect for a quick and easy meal. I can even take this in with me to a movie without worrying about how I'm going to eat it!

I initially ordered the Garlic Shrip and Chorizo pasta, which is described as "a slightly spicy olive-oil based sauce with juicy white shrimps and flavorful Spanish chorizo. Tossed into liguine noodles and topped with parmesan cheese". It was delicious! There was a generous amount of shrimp and chorizo althrouout my dish and not just on top.

During the soft launch where we bloggers were invited, we got to sample many of the other special dishes goodles have to offer. Looking at the cup may give the impression that it does not contain much, but when poured into a plate, you will be proven wrong! Just take a look at this order of Chicken Vodka:

Among the many dishes we sampled, this ranked second in my favorites list. I loved how the cream-based sauce was not so overpowering and thick, and yet super tasty and yummy! The one I loved best was the Grape Carbonara. Yup, Grape Carbonara. When I first read the item off the menu, I was a bit dubious because I never thought of grapes as something I would put on a cooked dish. I mean, we all eat grapes raw and on its own right?!? However, after trying it out, I realized that this is a great variation of an old favorite.

Goodles is the brain-child of owner Shar Tan. I must admit, I never thought of packaging pasta the way she did! Many, many thanks for the invitation to a great pre-Christmas dinner treat, Shar! Thanks too to Fran of frannywanny.com for organizing the wonderful blogger dinner at Goodles!

Goodles is located at the 4th Level of Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, just a stone throws away from Movieworld.

Happy Christmas, Bagel!

2009-12-18T19:28:00.000+08:00

Before anything, thank you to all the 20 participants of the contest I had recently. My sincerest apologies for the delay in the drawing of the winner.

Congratulations Bagel! You are the lucky winner of the Haagen Dazs Gift Certificate and a Baby Cakes treat of your choice. Please watch out for my email so we can coordinate delivery of your prize!

Thanks again everyone and till the next time!!!

Cheers to Christmas!

2009-12-01T18:45:00.002+08:00

24 days to go till Christmas!

In just a few short days, one of the most wonderful times of the year will come upon us again :-) Pardon the carol-y description, but that's really what the season is all about right? Christmas time also brings out a wide array of gastronomical treats, many of which are indulgences we either try to avoid or have limited access to during the rest of the year. In my family, the major indulgence is a homemade roasted turkey with matching bread stuffing and candied yams. Even though it is a constant figure in the Christmas table, it never becomes old! Like many Filipino families, we also have fruit salad as a big favorite.

For me, I love having rich and indulgent ice creams and cakes, which I try to scrimp on during the rest of the year. Bizu cakes, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream and food for the gods are just a few of these things!

As I count down the days to Christmas, I will do so with another blog contest here! It will run from December 1-14, 2009. It's so easy to join and there are so many ways to increase your chances of winning!

All you have to do to join is as follows:

Countdown to Christmas and Win with Yapatoots!

1. Answer the question: "What is your favorite Christmas treat?" by leaving me a comment below. (required) Please leave your email address below so I can contact you should you be the winner!

2. Become a follower or subscribe to my blog via email (required). Steps 1 and 2 automatically give you 2 raffle entries.

For additional chances to win, you can also do the following:

1. For 1 extra entry, tweet about this contest! Please leave the URL of your tweet in the comments section so I know you did it :-)
2. While you're at it, for one point, follow me on Twitter too!
3. For another extra entry, plurk about this contest! Again, please leave the plurk URL here so I can verify.
4. For 5 extra raffle entries, blog about this contest! You can even just cut and paste the entry mechanics :-) Don't forget to link your entry to the contest post and send me your post URL so I can take note of it!

What's at stake? A Php 500.00 gift certificate to Haagen Dazs and your choice of one of the following Baby Cakes Treats: a 6-pc box of Date Walnut Bars, a small box of Walnut Tea Cookies, a 6-pc box of Orange Poppy Seed Muffins OR a 12-pc box of Choco Banana Muffins.

That's not it...

For a chance to DOUBLE UP your prize, leave me a comment here :-) Please note that only unique commenters from December 1 onwards qualify for the Double Up Promo!

CONTEST is open to METRO MANILA residents. However, if you are from the provinces you are welcome to join as well, provided you make your own provisions for the use of the GC's.

The WINNER will be via an online randomizer on December 15.

Yummy Christmas Treats

2009-11-28T15:00:00.002+08:00

It's just about that time of the year again and everyone is scurrying about trying to get their Christmas lists all filled out. Here's a yummy suggestion: BABY CAKES PASTRIES AND GOODIES.

*Date Walnut Bars
our classic recipe, still at it's best quality! delicious chewy bars just the way it's always been.
small (6pcs) Php 120.00
medium (12) 220.00
large (18 310.00
xl (24) 400.00

*Walnut Tea Cookies
delectable sugar coated, candy-sprinkled walnut cookies perfect with cocoa, coffee or tea! rich and scrumptious, one is never enough!
small (1 doz) Php 115.00
large (2 doz) 200.00

*Orange Poppy Seed Muffins
soft, yummy muffins with the fresh, sweet goodness of oranges...a perfect choice for breakfast, snacks, or anytime of the day!
6's Php 155.00
12's 295.00

mini muffin packs
6's Php 68.00
12's 128.00
24's 230.00

* Banana Muffins
an old favorite with a new twist. Old fashioned banana muffins with chocolate and/or walnuts.
Choco
6's Php 80.00
12's 150.00

Walnut/Choco Walnut
6's Php 98.00
12' 190.00

Sampler: 12's (3pc/variety) Php 210.00

Mini muffins
any variety 6's Php 45.00
12's 80.00
24's 135.00

Please give 3-5 days lead time for delivery. Free delivery to most areas.
Send me a comment or email, or text 09159545294 for orders and to coordinate delivery.

The Evolution of M&M's.

2009-11-16T22:38:00.001+08:00

In the past month alone, I have come across two new variants of the popular chocolate candy M&M's.

Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M's

The first one was the Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M's variant. It was an interesting blend of sweetness and saltiness all wrapped up in that famous candy shell that melts in your mouth, not in your hand. Being a big fan of peanut butter and strawberries, I definitely enjoyed this one. It took a whole lot of willpower not to gobble these all down (especially since the bag was my neice's!).

Orange M&M's

This afternoon when I dropped by my local grocery store, I saw this on the shelf. Interesting, huh? I don't know if it's a special Halloween flavor (the color kinda suggests Halloween, don't you think?) or if it's just coincidence. Anyway, it says limited edition on top so I don't know how long this will be around. I happen to enjoy the mix of chocolates and oranges, but this, I'm not such a big fan. The orange flavoring comes across as a little too artificial for my liking. To be fair, however, it does have an interesting flavor.

It's amazing to see how much M&M's have evolved since it first came out in the market. I remember how thrilled I would be back then when the Blue M&M was introduced, but now, there's more than just the colors to choose from. While the brown bags of milk chocolate M&M's and the yellow bags of it's peanut counterpart are still the front-runners, there are so many other options out there. I personally love the Dark M&M's that come in purple bags and the Peanut Butter ones that come in the orange bag. There's also the Crispy M&M's one. That's so-so for me :-) However, whenever I go see a movie, my favorite silver screen treat is still a bag of popcorn, iced tea, and a bag of Milk Chocolate M&M's.

Good Eats at the Good Earth.

2009-11-16T22:07:00.003+08:00

fter a brief hiatus, The Good Earth Tea Room reopens at the 2nd level of Greenbelt 3 with a revamped look and a spruced up repertoire of authentic Asian dishes. To mark it's reopening, an eat all you can buffet awaits diners. It's sure to be a pure gastronomical treat, what with 12 sumptuous dishes to indulge in for only Php 299.

Good Earth has been known for its fusion cuisine. Described as a merging of Chinese with Western influences, Chef Henry Cheung's dishes are sure to give diners a modern taste of traditional Chines cooking. One of their most popular dishes is the Tunaquitos, which is made from raw tuna with spring onions served in a taco shell with white sauce and wasabi. The Duckquitos, also a big favorite, is The Good Earth's version of the Tex-Mex taquito made of roast duch with white sauce and black sesame seeds in a traditional taco shell.

For dimsum lovers, there is also Lily on the Pond, a delectable steamed dimsum made of a mix of vegetables and prawns in a spicy curry and while coconut cream sauces. Other dishes to choose from include the Crispy Chicken Pao and Duck Siopao.

Beef and pork specialties offered at the Good Earth include Spicy Nanking Beef, Beef in Oyster Sauce, Spareribs with Mandarin Sauce and Crispy Pork. If you're looking for healthier choices, try Popoy's Delight, which is a delicious harmony of steamed fish with ham. Other seafood dishes to choose from include Crab Claws with Tamarind Sauce, Pan Fried Lapu-Lapu with Mango Sauce and Lobster Ball. If it's chicken you go for, try the Sauteed Chicken with Pine Nuts and Lettuce, Drunken Chicken with Centrury Egg, Shantung Spicy Chicken, and Crispy Peking Chicken.

The Good Earth Tea Room is located at Greenbelt 3, Makati City
For inquiries and reservations call tel. no. (02) 757-4561 to 62.

The Lunch Box Project

2009-11-09T12:45:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote in one of my blogs about my realization that my daily take-out lunches is my way of contributing to the destruction of our earth. Because I am always in a rush, I often find myself buying lunch from a food stall outside the school. The meals are packed conveniently in a styrofoam box. I said that I will make a conscious effort to bring a lunch box or reusable container everyday so I can stop adding to the trash and non-biodegradable wastes that are piling up all over the world.

A few days later, I came across a fan page in Facebook called The Lunch Box Project. They describe themselves as "a bunch of people ask that their fast food & jolly jeep orders be placed in their lunchboxes instead of styro containers in an effort to shrink the toxic trash pile" and their mission is to "save the world from the styro monster". Cool huh?!? :-)

I will admit that I have not yet gotten into the bandwagon completely with this. I still forget every now and then to bring my container. Today, however, when I ordered my food from Ate Ems, I was pleased to see that she has switched from a styro box to a paper bowl. Yey! While there is still waste with this, at least it's better than the styro, right?

Filipino Flair at Sentro 1771

2009-11-08T00:51:00.003+08:00

When dining out, I often make it a point not to go to a restaurant that serves Filipino fare. It's not that I do not appreciate our cuisine, it's just that coming from a household of good cooks, I get my fill of our our own flavors. From tinola to sinigang, kare kare and dinuguan, I get to savor most of these at home so when I eat out, I look for something else.

However, during the 8 to Educate dinner, my fellow bloggers and I were treated to a sumptuous Filiino feast with a flair at Sentro 1771. Known as the First in Modern Filipino Cuisine, Sentro definitely gives the classic Pinoy a fresh new take. Since it's opening in 2002, it has wowed both local and foreign diners.

Sentro 1771 is one of the 8 restaurants participating in Virlanie's 8 to Educate Campaign. By ordering their Fried Chicken Cutlets or the Catfish Adobo Flakes you dontate to educate a child care of the Virlanie Foundation.

Although I was not able to sample these popular dishes, I finally got to sample their house specialty, Sinigang na Corned Beef. I can see why this is a big favorite. The tender and tasty corned beef definitely gives the classic sinigang a unique flavor. The broth was sour enough to my liking. I had heard a lot of raves about this dish and I can definitely say it is well deserved.

They also served the ever popular Crispy Pata and several other dishes, whose names, unfortunately, I was not able to glance at the menu to see what they were. What I enjoyed most was the appetizer they served: Fresh Smoked Fish Spring Rolls. I loved the flavor of the tinapa that worked well with the freshness of the vegetables.

Sentro 1771's other house specialties include Sizzing Tofu, Tomato Kensong Puti Salad, Catfish Sentro Style, Rated GG (Galunggong), Sentro Roast Chicken, Spinach and Glass Noodles, and for dessert, Halo Halo.

Sentro 1771 is located at Serendra (across from Bonifacio High Street), Taguig and at the 2nd level of Greenbelt 3. Sentro is a member of the Chateau 1771 Group of Restaurants.

Note to My Diet: Do Not Disturb!

2009-11-06T01:16:00.007+08:00

Next to my food I eat in secret, ice cream is probably one of the things I eat in the privacy of my own room. There's something about scooping spoonfuls of this cold, smooth and creamy treat right out of the pint that is just so comforting. This is exactly the message conveyed by the three act show presented to the media and Bloggers, as well as special guests, during the launch of Haagen-Dazs in Robinsons Place Manila. The show, slyly captioned Do Not Disturb, Slow Melting in Progress, highlighted snippets of the lives of three very different ladies, each going through their owns ups and downs in life, and in the end, whether in comfort, as inspiration or in celebration, one thing is common: savoring spoonfuls of sweet indulgence straight from a tub of slow-melting Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream. These definitely are moments of solitude to be relished!

The event marked the formal opening of Haagen Dazs in the said mall and was graced by American Ambassador Kristie Kenney, who, along with Robinson Land Corportation Business Unit General Manager Mr. Cornelio Mapa, cut the ceremonial ribbon. Ambassador Kenny also gamely scooped up the first scoop of ice cream together with Haagen-Dazs Philippines General Manager Ms. Tess Panganiban.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney poses with the
crew of Haagen-Dazs Robinsons Place

As I mentioned, I love my ice cream straight out of the pint. Strange as it may seem, I enjoy it more on a cold rainy day while curled up in bed while watching my favorite shows on DVD.

What about you? How do you enjoy your ice cream best?

Haagen-Dazs is located at the Ground Floor of Midtown Mall in Robinsons Manila

It's Coming!!!

2009-11-02T20:04:00.004+08:00

Today I came across the best news! I was blog hopping and I dropped by one of my new favorite blogs to read, dessertcomesfirst.com, and I was greeted by a post about the infamous Starbucks Red Cups...not just that: this year, my favorite Peppermint Mocha Frap is going to be BACK!!! Yup!!! Back!!!

Being a Starbucks collector, this news that this years planner is going to come in three designs is BAD BAD BAD...for my pocket that is! To top it off, my best Starbucks buddies (Janine and Grace) have left so who's gonna help me with my stickers now?!?

Not So Jolly at Jollibee.

2009-11-01T21:50:00.006+08:00

One of my most favorite things to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon is to get some take out at Jollibee with Bubba. However, lately, I've been getting more and more disappointed with the service I am receiving from the drive through counter, particularly here in BF Homes.

I have made several complaints to the manager on duty, but I don't know if it's gotten any attention. My main complaint with the drive through here is that there are always people loitering around the drive through counter. Sometimes, it's kids selling sampaguita. Sometimes, it's worse. It's someone the counter person knows and is chatting with while you try to give your order. They (the "guests") even have the audacity to complain when you drive in. My worry is that one day one of them gets sideswiped by a car or something and it will be the drivers fault.

Another drive through nightmare I had recently was in Jollibee Santana Grove, which is a 24 hour branch. I drove in at around 3:45 am to get some fries for Bubba and a breakfast for myself as I was heading home from a long night. When I got to the window, there was no crew on site. When I peered in the window, I caught them monkeying around on the floor. The crew who was to take my order was busy pulling on the foot of the counter cashier. Yes, she had her hands around the shoe of the other girl. So I placed my order and to my dismay, she did not bother to wash her hands after holding on to that shoe before scooping up the fries! I was not able to react anymore. Add to that, when I got home with my Beef Tapa, it frustrated me that the girl forgot to put utensils in the bag! Then again, given that she didn't wash her hands, pwede na yun.

A friend of mine also share her own not-so-jolly story:

Almost 9 in the evening of Wednesday last week (Oct. 7) , I decided to have a late dinner at Jollibee-Katipunan. I ordered their beefsteak meal and looked forward to eating it since I was very hungry. However, as soon as I sat down to eat, the lights went off. As I sat in the dark, I waited for the branch’s emergency lights to kick-in but there were none. I waited for their generator to start. But after a few minutes, I knew this was not to be. I looked at the dark counter and waited for the crew to bring out candles for us customers but more minutes went by and no one approached us. I waited for portable lamps to be brought out to light our dinners but again, nothing happened. It was only after several minutes of waiting that I realized that I was supposed to eat my dinner in the dark!

Tired and hungry, I picked up my tray and carefully walked in the dark to the counter. There, I asked the crew with the supervisor present why there were no lights. The supervisor said that they had no generator. “Why not candles?” I asked. She replied that they were not allowed to have candles. “E paano na lang kaming mga customers ninyo?” I asked. The supervisor said that the customers can stay as long as they liked. “But how about me who has not eaten yet? How am I supposed to eat in the dark?” I asked in exasperation. This time, the supervisor had no answer. “Pasensya na po, Ma’m” the crew member who converted my meal to take out said.

But no, I have no "pasensya" to a fastfood chain that does not care about its customers. It is just simple customer-service-logic to bring out lights (portable lights if candles are not allowed) so that their customers can still enjoy their meal during a brown-out. The message by Jollibee to me that night was – “I got your money for the meal that you bought. I don’t care how you eat it in the dark! Bahala ka na diyan!” Salamat po, Jollibee, for this experience. It really has left a bad taste in my mouth.

We all know that Jollibee is one of the biggest fast food chains in the metro. I hope that this fact does not supersede the fact that customers deserve good service all the time.

Say it with me: I Ate To Educate!

2009-10-31T20:27:00.004+08:00

Eating out is one of the few luxuries my college friends Che, Monsi, Angie, Cathy and I love to indulge in. Whether it is in a fast food chain or a nice new restaurant, splurging for good food and enjoying each others company is definitely something we still value. I think we value it even more now, especially since we barely get a chance to see each other as often as we'd like.

Over the years, we've developed some sort of a criteria for choosing restaurants we go to. For example, for a brief period of time, we boycotted Jollibee because of environmentally un-friendly practices they were reportedly doing. Up to now, we avoid using plastic straws whenever we order drinks because of the same reason. Other things we consider would be food quality (of course), serving size, service and quality for money.

From October 26 to December 31, 2009, 8 great restaurants and food places in Serendra and Bonifacio High Street are on my list to watch out for, mainly because of one good reason: by simply ordering a specially marked dish from their menu, you get to say "I Ate To Educate!".

The 8 to Educate project aims to raise support for the Virlanie Foundation, a private, non-sectarian instutution that cares for street and abused children. They do not just offer a roof over the heads of these children, but they aim to empower them by educating them to work for a better future.

You can also support the 8-to-Educate project by pledging an amount or sponsoring a child for Php 800.00 a month for one year. Donation envelopes are available when you dine in the partner restaurants. In the next two weeks, I will review each of the partner spots with with a blog post dedicated solely to them. I hope you look out for them!

Remember: check out the specially marked dishes in ArAma, CAV, Chelsea, Cupcakes by Sonja, Fu, The Healthy Kitchen, Sentro 1771, and Xocolat and say you ate to educate!

A Refreshing Way To Burn!

2009-10-28T17:46:00.002+08:00

When the ad campaigns of Del Monte's Fit 'n Right first came out, I quickly dismissed it as yet another marketing ploy to get you to buy something you don't really need to begin with. I thought, how can a juice drink (especially since I had previously been told juice drinks are sugar loaded and unhealthy) can actually help you lose weight.

However, after being invited to the Fit 'n Right Bloggers Launch last week, I changed my mind. Fit 'n Right's unique blend of L-Carnitine and B Vitamins 1, 6, 12 are scientifically proven to aid in weight loss. This was proven by a study conducted by the University of the Philippines headed by Dr. Leonora Panlasigui. Results of their study showed that when combining diet, exercise and recommended servings of Fit n' Right, participants lost of as much as 16.7% body fat in a six-week period.

The secret behind this breakthrough drink lies in the L-Carnitine which helps turn fatty acids into energy by transporting these acids to the body's mitochondria, which is known as our cell's powerhouse. As such, fat is burned more quickly. The Vitamins in Fit 'n Right also help speed up one's metabolism. If taken 2 hours before a workout, you maximize fat burning potential thus aiding in weight loss.

Fit 'n Right is available at most leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide. Flavors include Blueberry and Grape, Apple, Pineapple, Pine-Orange, Grapefruit and Four Seasons. Fit 'n Right is available in either 300 mL or 1 L bottles.

Yummy Baby Cakes Date Walnut Bars

2009-10-26T18:43:00.002+08:00

Hand's down the best Date Walnut Bar(also known as Food For the Gods) recipe I've tried! Rich, buttery and chewy, these scent of these bars baking mark only one thing for me: the Christmas season. You see, every Christmas my cousin and I roll out our cutting mats and baking pans to get ready for our 3 week baking marathon. Among our favorite and best-selling recipes is this handed-down top secret recipe. It's so secret that we only have pre-packed mixtures of the ingredients for us to work with!!! Nonetheless seeing the packs of walnuts, dates and the stacks of butter all lined up always elicit almost instant salivation. I personally like my FFG kinda overdone because it makes it more chewy (or makunat to be exact).

Okay, you might say I'm a little bit biased with my statement that this is the best FFG. Then again, many of our loyal customers can attest to our claim on this delectable treat! For inquiries about Baby Cakes Date Walnut Bars (Food For the Gods) and other products, please call or text 09087568789 or email yapatoots@gmail.com.

More Yummy Yogurt Madness.

2009-10-25T17:18:00.005+08:00

I've written several entries about frozen yogurt before but I think I found the best one yet...Red Mango. A lot of my blogger friends have been raving about it but because it used to be only available in Eastwood (which is SO far from me) I've been putting off trying it. Finally, a branch opened up in Greenbelt 3 so last week, while waiting for the special screening of the Informant, I decided to give it a try. It was well worth the wait!

I ordered a large frozen yogurt with mangoes, bananas and crushed graham. I loved the yogurt a lot. It was very creamy and had a good tart flavor to it. The crushed grahams weren't too fresh for my taste, though. It wasn't old what-not, but it just had an aired out quality to it. I personally would have preferred to if it was not crushed so much that it was kinda powdery. Nonetheless, the deliciousness of the yogurt well compensated for that.

I love how yogurt, whether the frozen type or those sold in the market, is slowly becoming a popular fare for the Filipino taste buds.

A Lethal Fruity Mix.

2009-10-23T13:04:00.006+08:00

Losing weight is really such a struggle. Sometimes I wish there was an easy answer to my weight woes. In fact, I have been tempted MANY times to try one of those supposedly "tried-and-tested" diet fads such as the oatmeal and hard-boiled egg diet, the 3-day diet, South Beach diet, Cabbage Soup diet, and even the Grapefruit Diet. These are just a few of the many lose weight quickly plans that have been popularized.

However, because I am taking medication for a health condition, I have to think twice about trying one of these fads. Apparently, some of the food items we take can counteract with medications we are taking. I had no idea, however, that grapefruits would be one of them. Because it is a fruit, I assumed it would be healthy and safe to take no matter what. After all, it comes from nature, right? Who would think that fruits when consumed in tandem with prescription medications can be a lethal mix?

According to CBS news something in the grapefruit juice causes a negative interaction with some drugs which can result in dangerous side-effects. AOL Health also explains that something in the juice which still is a mystery to scientists latches onto an enzyme in the intestine which breaks down the drug thus more of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This is harmful when you are taking statins or cholesterol lowering agents because it can cause abnormal high blood levels which can cause liver damage. Other medications that can have a negative interaction with grapefruit juice are certain antibiotics, cancer medications, allergy and cough medicines, and even drugs like Zoloft and Cialis. No wonder in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, a patient made a comment about delaying taking her contraceptive pill for about half an hour because she had just consumed a glass of grapefruit juice! I just dismissed this as a quirk of the patient but now I know there is so much more to it after all. As always, before trying out any diet and going on new medications, consult your physician about what you can or cannot take together.

photo from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/20/health/webmd/main668105.shtml

No Diet Tomorrow!

2009-10-10T21:40:00.004+08:00

I am not a big fan of Krispy Kreme.

Yeah right!

Seriously, one of my biggest Waterloo's in my diet is walking past a KK store and not wanting to stop in and grab a doughnut. The problem is, I often end up with more than just one!

However, tomorrow, October 11, 2009, I have the perfect excuse for breaking my diet: it's for a good cause. Yup, it's for a good cause indeed!

By indulging in one of the sweet delectable Original Glazed Doughnuts, I get to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy as Krispy Kreme Philippines pledges all proceeds to Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter and the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya foundation.

Come join me and get one tomorrow. Diet starts again day after that!!!

Yapatoots meets The Sandwich Guy.

2009-09-19T19:57:00.004+08:00

One of my most favorite restaurants ever is Subway. However, for Philippine standards, it's kind of high-end even though it is large and worth the money you pay for. Lucky for me, I was introduced by a friend of mine to The Sandwich Guy.

TSG offers a wide array of freshly made sandwiches ranging from Php 55.00 to 110.00 only. This is a great deal! I like how the sandwich is well-filled, and not like other sandwiches that are all bread and mayo and a little itty-bitty piece of something stuck in the middle. With TSG, it's a pretty good size. Like in Subway, the sandwiches are made as you order them, so you can be sure of its freshness.

My friend and I ordered two sandwiches the day we went to the McKinley Hill branch of TSG. We tried the H.B.L.T (or the Ham Bacon Lettuce and Tomato) and the Crabstick and Mango sandwiches. I liked them both, although I would have preferred a slightly crunchier texture to the bacon. The crabstick one was great! It came with some wasabi mayo on it and it had a good kick to it.

TSG is now one of my favorite sandwich places, although I must be honest...Subway still tops my list. Comparatively, however, while Subway has more veggie options, I think TSG is a better choice in terms of dieting because of its portion control. With regular sized wheat bread over a six-inch wheat sub, you definitely will not be tempted to eat more than you should!

You can try TSG at the following locations: McKinley Hill and Total Corp. Bldg at the Fort, Cybergate Tower at Pioneer, Sun Plaza Building at Mandaluyong, Standard Charter Building at Makati City. They deliver too! Check out www.thesandwichguy.com for delivery numbers and menu.

Kain Na!!!! (Let's Eat!!!)

2009-08-13T18:36:00.002+08:00

Isa sa aking pinakapaboritong pagkain ay pizza. Kahit saan, mapa-3M o Greenwich, Pizza Hut o Yellow Cab, basta pizza, siguradong swak na swak sa akin yun. Ito ang aming tinanghalian noong isang linggo...ang napakamurang promo ng Gourdo's pizza! Bihira ako magpakuha ng litrato na naka-wacky mode, pero sa sarap ng pizza, di ko napigilan!

Pizza is by far, one of my most favorite things to eat. No matter where it comes from, be it 3M Pizza, Greenwich, Pizza Hut or Yellow Cab, pizza's are definitely a sure win for me. Last Friday, my co-teachers and I decided to have lunch out and try the Gourdo's pizza promo. I read it in my friend Rowena's blog, Animetric's World. Imagine this: 3 gourmet pizzas all for the low price of Php 499. That's about the equivalent of one from most pizza chains, and at some, not even their large pizzas.

There were four variants to choose from, but I personally liked the vegetarian one best. Even my co-teachers, who aren't big fans of veggie pizzas, enjoyed it a lot too. On the other hand, the Hawaiian, which was incidentally the most expensive technically, was a bit disappointing as the ham they used wasn't so good. The Margherita pizza was quite good too.

Overall, it was a good deal that we got at Gourdo's! Would I try it again? OF COURSE! We were so full we weren't even able to try the gelato!!!

I'm sharing this shot as my Litratong Pinoy for the week. Come see more LP's here!

Healthy Options from the Backyard.

2009-07-27T20:14:00.004+08:00

Many Filipino households have malunggay growing in their backyards. However, not every one may be aware of the health benefits this miracle vegetable can bring. However, cooking malunggay leaves tends to lessen it's potency. A solution: CHRIMI Malunggay Products.

I may not be the most healthy eater, but given my fervent desire (but admittedly lack of effort) to lose weight, I didn't hesitate to sign up for a health and wellness event featuring the health benefits of the moringa or malunggay plant. I initially thought products like this would be limited to nutritional supplements but I was amazed at how many products the company has been able to create with malunggay. Products now available include the following: coffee, hot choco, dalandan orange juice, and malunggay health soup.

To be honest, I was skeptical about how something like this would taste but I was surprised that the coffee and choco drinks were quite yummy. I didn't really like the soup much, but I think if used as a base for a pasta sauce, it would make a tasty sauce.

Aside from food items, CHRIMI also offers malunggay supplements, whitening soap and body lotion. Amazing!

Other health benefits of malunggay include the following:
7 times the vitamin C in oranges
4 times the calcium in milk
4 times the vitamin A in carrots
3 times the potassium in Bananas
2 times the protein in Yogurt
Anti-aging
Lowers cholesterol
Balances metabolism
Memory enhancer
Anti-oxidant
Strengthens the body's immune system
Improves mental alertness
Enhances nerve tissues

During the launch, the founder of the product explained to us that CHRIMI malunggay products are more than just a business venture, but a mission. I am impressed at how thier operations go beyond providing a means for personal wealth, but that they aim to provide jobs and opportunities for people and industries around them. As their advocacy goes, we have a bountiful nation, why leave the Philippines?

Read more about CHRIMI and their products at Malunggay Republic

*photo from Rochelle Sy Chua of rochellesychua.com

Sicilian Express Disappointment.

2009-07-26T17:04:00.005+08:00

I don't always blog about complaints with my orders in restaurants because I figured, if I am not happy with a dish, that's not always the restaurants fault. For example, if a dish is a little too salty for my taste, that's on me, not them, right? However, when you find something that's not supposed to be there, that's another story.

Last Thursday, July 23, 2009, my friend and I went to McKinley Hill to grab a sandwich from The Sandwich Guy (it was good...watch out for my post on that soon!) However, as we walked towards the stall, I chanced upon Sicilian Express. Being the pizza lover that I am, I couldn't resist but get one for take out, especially since McKinley Hill isn't so easy to go to. I also checked out the list of other branches and since there was none in the Paranaque area, I figured reheating it the next day, albeit not as great as fresh, would be good enough to give me a taste.

The next morning I heated myself two slices of the pizza, stuck it in a ziplock and got in my car to go to work. After taking two bites, I was shocked to feel a sharp pain suddenly in my mouth. I had bitten into something sharp and hard in the pizza. After spitting out what was in my mouth, I was appalled to find a chicken bone in my pizza. My white cheese pizza. I emphasized the white cheese pizza because there's supposed to be no toppings at all, what more a frigging chicken bone!!!I was disgusted by it and couldn't eat the rest of the pizza. I don't know if that bone had come from another guests' dish or what, but regardless of whether it was "clean" or not, it is unacceptable to have food waste on your order, right?

So at the end of the day, I can't say if the pizza was yummy or not. All I remember is that I was sorely disappointed by a pizza place I was so excited to try.

To be fair, however, I did receive good service from the waitresses and when I called the resto to inform them of my complaint, the manager Bhel was attentive to my complaint.

TGIF...even on a Thursday!

2009-06-25T21:30:00.003+08:00

TGI Fridays has always been one of my favorite restaurants. From the tender and yummy Cajun Chicken Fingers, to my all time fave, the Shanghai Chicken Salad, there's always something great to have in Fridays. Though somewhat pricey, the dishes are always good to share. Today I tried something new. Because I'm trying to make healthier choices, I tried the Tortilla Crusted Fish. It was delish! A little spicy, but good nonetheless. It came with rice through, so my no rice dinners was a fail hehe.

To top off my Fridays dinner, I was able to claim a prize I won recently! A Mocha Mudpie :-) Okay, not a very good dieters choice...but I shared it with my friends anyway so I didn't eat it all! That should count for something!!!!

Wanna win your own Mocha Mudpie?!? Click here!!!

A Perfect Start and End to Any Day!

2009-06-24T21:10:00.007+08:00

I'm sure we've all been told at one point or another that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. However, as times have changed, so has our so-called important meal of the day. Enter brunch!

While many may do brunch in the spirit of rushing, the phenomenon is slowly becoming trendy as many of Hollywood's elite start their days mid-morning with a brunch. Remember that infamous Bass Brunch in Gossip Girl? Yes, brunch is indeed the new "it" meal.

Recently, bloggers were invited to Brunch and Desserts with World Asia Café Star, Bobby Chinn.

photo courtesy of Azrael Coladilla

We, too, can now enjoy brunch in the cozy interiors of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. With selections such as their Brek O'Day, Salmon Scramble (which I heard is really yummy!), assorted muffins and Eggs Ben, weekend mornings can definitely be an event to look forward too. Let's not forget the wide array of Tea Lattes and Ice Drinks CBTL has to offer.

Brunch, and any meal for that matter, would not be complete without dessert. I am a sucker for dessert, seriously. I've said time and again I can go without a full meal so long as I have a great dessert. And great desserts I got! We were treated to a whole bunch of delectable treats.

Choco Fudge (uber yummy and chocolatey to death!!)
Lemon Squares (yum. yum. and yum)
and Triple Berry Coffee Cake (served warm wih coffee, good, not a personal fave though)

My personal favorites: A Chai Tea Latte, Camembert Oreo Cheese Tart
and Chicago Cheesecake

Truly, CBTL offers you a perfect way to start or end any day!

Sushi with a Twist: Terriyaki Boy's Crazy Rolls

2009-06-23T19:35:00.002+08:00

I am a big fan of sushi. In fact, I'm willing to give almost any kind of sushi/maki a try, at least once. I used to love going to those buffets in Saisaki because of all the sushi! The other day, my friend J asked to have dinner in Terriyaki Boy. It's been a while since I've indulged in Japanese food so I agreed.

I had my mind set in ordering a dish of Agadashi Tofu or Tofu Steak, after all, I'm trying to watch my weight, right? However, I got tempted by their Crazy Rolls. Even though it is rice based, I decided to go ahead and try some. It took me a long time to decide which one to try because there a dozen varieties to choose from. Finally, I decided to try the Firecracker Roll. I chose this for two reasons: first, it was made with salmon (others were made of chicken) and second, it was had the best photo appeal! I know the second one was kind of an airhead reason for choosing a dish, but I went with it.

The Firecracker Roll is described as "a display of color and various flavours. Minced fresh Norweigan salmon smothered with chili oil with our very own chili dressing rolled in green fish roe and black sesame seeds, topped with shoestring wanton" and was served with their crazy dip. I didn't particularly like the dip much, but the sushi was delish! I liked it better with soy sauce and wasabi. The Firecracerk Roll sells at Php 240.00.

Taking it Seriously.

2009-06-01T18:49:00.004+08:00

Okay...so this time I will try to take my diet a wee bit seriously. Its about time. Haaaaayyyy....I know it's not gonna be an easy journey but like my friend told me, it needs some internalizing. So I am tapping into my inner motivation reservoir and saying I will make this work.

I have decided to take it slow, however, mainly because I can't afford to buy Xenical or Reductil or any of those diet pills in the market. (hint hint to med reps and researchers...need a sample for a study, I'll volunteer!!!). For now, I am committing to doing the following in an attempt to lose at least 10 pounds by the time the first term of classes end:

1. I will not park closest to the entrance anymore. Not a big step, but one towards the right direction, I think. By parking farther from the entrance, I guess I'll be forced to walk.

2. Increase the pace of my typical walk. I think I walk too slow nowadays. I guess it's an offshoot to having a heavier butt harhar!!! Seriously though, when I was very huge years ago, I never realized how heavy it was to lug around my weight. But when I lost a huge chunk of it then gained some back, I realized that it is indeed a heavy load to carry. So now I will try to walk at a quicker pace, after all, they say that exercise can be done in bursts, right? So walking to and from class at a quicker pace should be a good start.

3. No more softdrinks, even diet sodas. This is one thing I really became lax about after losing weight. After a carbonated drink fast for two years, I started having it on occasion then now it's back to almost everyday...and every meal. Enough of that!!! Now iced tea...well....limit will do!

4. One cup of rice a day for now. When I first lost a lot of weight, I completely swore off rice. As in 100%. Pasta too. I'm probably not ready for this at this point, so 1 cup at lunch time and thats it.

5. Stock up on chicken, fish and veggies. I will limit pork and beef intake for now. During my rice-less days, I also went almost 100% vegetarian. Maybe by October I will explore this again, but for now, chicken and fish stay!

6. Walk with Bubba at least once around the village park as much as possible. Given that it's the rainy season, it would be difficult to commit completely to this. In lieu of walking, half an hour of hula-hooping should suffice.

7. Sweets and treats in strict moderation. I've tried to give this up, but everytime I deprive myself I end up indulging. So I will honor the urge when it comes, but only enough to give it a taste. No more pints-of-ice-cream-in-one-sitting or giant slices of cake.

8. Monitor the numbers. Much as I am inspired by iMom and her fitness project, I am not yet comfortable writing those numbers in my blog. It's going on my calendar though :-)

That's it for now, I suppose. Wish me luck!

Frozen Yogurt Delight.

2009-05-07T21:50:00.005+08:00

Obviously I love ice cream. Who doesn't?!? But when you're trying to go on a diet, ice cream can be your worst enemy.

Enter frozen yogurt!
This is one of the many new (or relatively new) yogurt places around. I've tried. I got this at the Greenhills branch. I didn't like the fact, however, that it was inside another store so they did not have places to sit, although there was a food court right outside, so that made up for it. The frozen yogurt was worth it though, in my humble opinion.

Because I am attempting to lose weight, I opted for the more healthy toppings as opposed to the chocolates that were available. This is a strawberry and cherry blend, too bad there was no kiwi available. I would definitely try that next time!

Brighten Up Mom's Day with Red Ribbon

2009-05-01T19:43:00.010+08:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Just in time, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, the country's premiere bakeshop, launches a sweet treat that's definitely going to brighten up her day!

To celebrate our dear Mothers, drop by any Red Ribbon branch and take home a feel-good, bring-you-back-to-your-childhood Cookies and Cream with Oreo cake. With a layer of oreo cookies between layers of chocolate and vanilla chiffon cake, made even more yummy with luscious layers of creamy cookies and cream filling and icing, topped off with our favorite Oreo cookies, it sure will bring a smile to mom and kids alike!

For kids (ok, ok...those who still feel like kids!) like me who are trying to watch their diets, don't worry. While mom enjoys her Cookies and Cream with Oreo Cake, I will delight myself with a no sugar added mamon!

Thanks to Red Ribbon and LetsGoSago.net and for an early mothers day treat for my mom!

An Indulgent Treat.

2009-04-21T19:19:00.003+08:00

Nestled in the hustle bustle of the metro is a cozy little café that offers a wide array of indulgent dishes....not a great idea when you're on a diet, but how can you resist something like this?!? Looking at the dessert assortment alone is enough to make you gain ten pounds!

amaretto cake

I personally preferred their tiramisu, but this was quite good too. Indulgence Deli Café offers a cake and coffee combo at Php 100.00 only. Much lower than many of the more popular cafés around. I also tried their hungarian sausage and must say it was well worth it! At a little less than two hundred pesos, I had a great meal.

For the more health conscious, however, not looking at these indulgent delicacies is highly advisable. This doesn't mean, however, you can not have a good meal here. Aside from desserts, Indulgence serves pastas, pizzas and rice meals. A friend of mine tried the pesto pasta and said it suited her liking well, unlike other pestos which have too much of an herb-y taste.

According to Leirs Pagaspas, manager of the resto, they also have salads, soups and more low-calorie pastas. Their specialties, however, definitely don't fall under that category! A must-try is their Pizza Pinoy, which offers a unique Filipino blend to the typical pizza.

Indulgence Deli Café is located at the ground floor of Mayfair Mansion, 116 Perea St., Makati City.

Cool Summer Treats at Bizu.

2009-04-15T17:17:00.009+08:00

A patisserie or pastry shop may not be the wisest resto choice for a dieter...but who can resist the call of Bizu Patisserie?!? It's inviting store decors and set-up alone is are enough to lure you in...

Thankfully, this summer they are featuring a new item on the menu: cool summer sorbets. We often think "sherbet" when hearing the word "sorbet" and for the most part, perhaps the most commonly available flavors, especially here in Manila, are buco and calamansi or lemon. In Bizu, however, Chef Sander was whipped up a batch of delicious and cool sorbets for you to enjoy on a hot, summer day. While it may not be 100% guilt-free, it definitely is a way better choice over ice cream...

My personal favorites was the mango and passionfruit. It had just the right blend of sweet and tangy. It was definitely quite refreshing! I was also looking forward to the green apple and mint variant, but it was not as good as I thought it would be, despite it still being good nevertheless. It just seemed to lack a wee bit sweetness for my personal taste. Chef Sander said his favorite was the raspberry and merlot, and I can see why. It was indeed a special blend.

To satisfy the sweet tooth, try out their new Yoga Cake. Their new masterpiece, as they'd like to call it, is describeas as "a blissful union of tropical passion fruit and hearty yogurt, spread with just the right amount of lemon custard ,placed in between layers of moist sable and genoise sponge". Yes, it is still a cake but for someone who is looking for a lighter and yet just-as-filling option, this is definetely a welcome treat!

I enjoyed this cake a lot, despite it missing the requisite chocolate in desserts :-) The combination of fruits, yogurt, lemon custard and moist sable and genoise sponge cake was hit the spot just right. An added bonus of getting a Bizu cake is that it is available in those mini cake sizes, that way I am portion controlled, even if unintentionally :-)
Bizu is located in many malls in the metro, including Greenbelt 2, Greenhills Promenade, and Alabang Town Center.

Hoop to Fitness.

2009-04-12T20:36:00.004+08:00

Today I dusted off my treadmill and stepped on...and lasted a good ten minutes. I remembered why I hated it...but because I need to find a way to get back in shape, I decided to try my old favorite: the hula hoop.

Boy, did I have fun!!

In a span of 15 minutes, I was dripping with sweat!!! Not only that, I was feeling quite good...as they say, exercise triggers a rush of endorphins which makes us feel happy.

In trying to lose weight, I think an important factor to getting one to exercise is the fun factor of it. Perhaps if we find it more fun, we'd be more consistent with it, don't you think? I have this friend, for example, who loves tennis and because she kept on doing it (and continues to) she has lost a ton of weight and she is loving it.

I heard (and saw!) that the Wii has a hula hooping game. I wanna try that!!!!

In trying to lose weight, I think an important factor to getting one to exercise is the fun factor of it. Perhaps if we find it more fun, we'd be more consistent with it, don't you think? I have this friend, for example, who loves tennis and because she kept on doing it (and continues to) she has lost a ton of weight and she is loving it. Of course, there are also hospital beds occupied by people who had not exercised in many years and had decided all at once to exercise to excess. So be careful not to make this mistake.

photo credit: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/image/942009.html?gs=1

Summer Treats.

2009-04-09T12:30:00.000+08:00

There is nothing better than a big scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day. From popsicles, to ice cream cones, parfaits and banana splits, there is no doubt that in some form, shape or way, ice cream will make a cameo during the summertime.

Where does that leave us dieters?!?

Well, while browsing the ice cream freezers in the store, I came across a healthier option!

Nestlé has a new variant for the health conscious: Fruit Selections Yogurt Ice Cream. If you like their fruit selection yogurt cups, then this is something you definitely will enjoy! I used to buy the regular yogurt, stick it in the freezer and wait for it to harden then eat it like ice cream...but not anymore! The yogurt ice cream comes in two equally delicious flavors, strawberry and mango. What I like about the yogurt ice cream over the yogurt that is frozen is that the ice cream has the consistency of real ice cream, unlike the yogurt which sometimes is not as smooth as real ice cream.

With only 85 calories per serving, this is definitely a treat one won't feel guilty indulging in! Nestlé Fruit Selection Yogurt comes in three sizes/styles: ice cream on a stick ( approx. Php 15.00), single serve cups (Php 25.00) and pints (Php 135.00). It is a bit difficult to find in the typical grocery, however, but it is (supposedly) exclusively available at Mercury Drug store.

Another alternative is this:
A O% fat, no sugar added ice cream by Nestlé as well. I got the vanilla flavor because it was the only one available then, but I think there are other flavors like mangoes and cream and ube. To be honest, however, I did not like it so much. There was something different about the consistency of the ice cream, which I suppose is due to the fact that it was fat-free. It seemed to have lost its smooth, creamy ice cream quality. However, I used it as a base for my banana smoothie, and it was great.

So here's to a cool, yummy summer with less calories!

Diet Diary.

2009-04-08T14:47:00.000+08:00

I have probably been a small, medium, large and extra-large at one point or another in my life.

To be honest, I have always struggled with weight ever since I was a little girl. Maybe its the lack of willpower to really go on a diet, or perhaps because there is really just too much good food out there, but whatever it is, I always maintain that I'm on a diet. Or at least I try.

As such, this is my attempt to be more than just a food blog. This is my attempt to go on a diet, chronicle it online and present to you, my readers, good food, places to eat, and hopefully a glimpse at more-figure-friendly-food in the menu. But then again, sometimes they may not always be figure friendly!