• Consume foods rich in antioxidants to boost your metabolism. Berries, green and leafy vegetables, red beets, dried fruits such as dates, apricot and peach, beans and nuts are some of the foods that you can consume daily to increase your metabolism.

• Drink a lot of water (and green tea). Water is a great tummy-filler. It also washes away toxins as well as help to increase your metabolism by aiding your digestive system in breaking down food. It is also recommended that you drink green tea rather than coffee as green tea is high in antioxidants.

• Increase your intake of foods rich in protein. These are lean meat, low-fat dairy products, turkey and skinless chicken. You should mix these with foods high in fiber content. Include fish in your diet for a well-balanced healthy meat. It is best that you eat small amounts of food several times a day instead of consuming large and heavy meals three times a day. This gives your body the chance to digest and use the energy before you become hungry again. Be sure not to miss breakfast and include non-fat dairy and cereals in your breakfast fare.

• Consider your body temperature. Metabolism is also increased by the temperature of your body. Excessive heat and cold can help to raise your metabolism. This is one of the reasons why people who want to lose weight frequent the saunas. You can lower your body temperature with cold water once in a while to raise your metabolism.

• Keep an active lifestyle so that your muscles will keep moving and boost your metabolism. Resistance training and aerobic exercises will not only trim and shape your muscles; these exercises will keep your heart rate up and raise your metabolism to help burn down calories. Aid this by keeping hydrated by drinking water and/or sports drinks. Take the time to move around and do some simple exercises when you are in the office. This will help to increase your oxygen intake and keep the blood flowing freely.

• Add spices to your food. Spices can help raise your metabolism faster. This may take some getting used to if you are not fond of spicy food. Adding red or green chili peppers to your food or using chili flakes can increase your metabolism by up to fifty percent.

• Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. They can also help boost your metabolism. Good sources of healthy fatty acids are fish such as sardines, tuna and salmon. Include fish in your weekly menu. These types of fish increase the leptin levels in your body which help increase your body’s metabolism rate.

Altering your diet and adding more fresh fruits, green and leafy vegetables, cereals nuts and lean meats and fish as well as consuming more water will raise your metabolism faster and keep you trimmer and healthier. Eating smaller meals several times a day is better for your body than getting hungry before eating a large meal. An active lifestyle will also ensure that your metabolism is at its peak.

Because I found this:

In 2007, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association in the United States, whose members include Hershey, Nestlé, and Archer Daniels Midland, lobbied the Food and Drug Administration to change the legal definition of chocolate to let them substitute partially hydrogenated vegetable oils for cocoa butter in addition to using artificial sweeteners and milk substitutes. Currently, the FDA does not allow a product to be referred to as “chocolate” if the product contains any of these ingredients.

In September 2008, MSNBC reported that several Hershey chocolate products were reformulated to replace cocoa butter with vegetable oil as an emulsifier. According to the company, this change was made to reduce the costs of producing the products instead of raising their prices or decreasing the sizes. Some consumers complained that the taste was different, but the company stated that in the company-sponsored blind taste tests, approximately half of consumers preferred the new versions. As the new versions no longer meet the Food and Drug Administration‘s definition of “milk chocolate”, the changed items were relabeled from stating they were “milk chocolate” and “made with chocolate” to “chocolate candy” and “chocolaty.”

So, this is the reason why Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s Bar, Kissables, Mr. Goodbar, and Krackel have tasted–somehow differently, somehow lacking in umph! in freshness, somehow notches lower than how they used to be. They no longer melt in my mouth the way they used to–rather crude or grainy I would say. And they’re crumbly–not as smooth.

Hershey’s Kissables Milk Chocolate is now called Hershey’s Kissables Chocolate Candy. Whoa!

Replacing cocoa butter with cheaper vegetable oil–to cut costs? Maintaining the size and weight instead of making them smaller and lighter? (at the same time keeping the packaging the same).

And they’re not telling! They would have at least informed us and explained to us that the taste would still have been the same (?)

They’re Hershey’s Chocolates no more! They’re Hershey’s Mockolates as coined by many.

I love Hershey’s Chocolates–I truly do. Now? Hershey’s Mockolates? So sorry, it’s like giving me a poor substitute. They’re just candies, as their very heart and soul–cocoa butter is there no more. From “milk chocolate” they are now “chocolate candies”, “chocolatey”, and “made with chocolate”.

This must be the reason why nowadays I buy more of The Kit Kats, the Meiji Macadamia Chocolates (still a favorite), the Ferrero Rochers, the Toblerones, the M&Ms, Snickers, and the Cadburys. Or have they also reformulated?

And not to forget our very own Choc Nuts!

photocredit: here and here.

Luxuriate in its chocolate mousse, moist brownie fudge loaded with chopped walnuts, and Hershey’s dark chocolate in the form of chocolate ganache, long curls and sprinkles. I did!

And we’ll be having it again in the New Year!

also found here

The reason I am writing this is because I got this message in Facebook from a former office mate, who asked:

Subject: are you OK?

hi dine. are you OK? been hearing rumors about you being ill.  hope you can find time to reply and confirm it’s not true….here’s wishing you well…

love, L

Thanks, L, for the concern.

Before my family members, especially my kids, and friends hear it from other people, and before they become unduly apprehensive, if they hear this rumor from other people, I felt that I have to speak out. The nation may not care, but my family and those who love me do care for me.

Yes, I have been to the doctors, twice in early May for a minor eye surgery (actually, it was a procedure done with my eyelid) and I was hospitalized last May for which I shared a post I am Alive! Praise God! I also had complete workouts–pathological (meaning blood chemistries, routine and special tests), cardiovascular (ECGs and 2D Echo), x-rays and ultrasounds. Kidney function tests and adrenal gland tests gave normal results. Admittedly, I am 51, and these tests are taken just to make sure, yes, just to make sure that everything is ok, should be ok, if they are not, should be addressed.

My last visit to the doctor was last Saturday–blood pressure has been within normal except for a few times that it has risen again and blood sugar which has climbed up from the high normal to more than normal has now been maintained to comfortable levels. All the other expensive and special tests have yielded negative results (thank God!). Except that, hear this, EXCEPT that, my potassium level is still low, despite the potassium pills that I have been taking and the tons of bananas and oranges that I have been eating, which they say are the best sources of potassium. Other sources of potassium include  cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew melons, molasses, oranges, prunes, tomato or prune juice, and potatoes.

At least, the level is maintained–it does not drop further. As I mentioned earlier, potassium is that mineral which when in deficit causes hypertension. Tomorrow, I go again for another round of blood tests to check on my potassium level (and calcium, and sugar–again), and I do really hope that the potassium level increases, even if very slowly.

And I want to thank my family for taking care of me–hubby has been extra attentive waking me up late at night if he sees that I have not taken my meds. The boys have been my drivers, my little one has been keeping me company, to the extent of making kulit (he is on a 2-week vacation, hello A(H1N1)) reminding me to eat my bananas (gosh! I am having an overdose of bananas already). My girls have been very attentive, too (ain’t it fun to have as much attention as I want to?) And my mom has started to cook and serve healthy food now. And now, my friends–their concern.

There, I have shared with you the state of my health. I am alive, and not dying, THANK GOD!

Life is too short–there are so many things to celebrate and be happy about! So many reasons to live and love

Here’s me and Vince in a happy pic taken on Pia’s birthday a few days ago.

I was wondering why this had to happen in succession. So, I asked the doctor why. He said that my body’s resistance to infection must have been very low. This is why, I am prone to infection. Could it be, he asked me, that I have not been sleeping properly?

Bull’s eye–the past few months, since February, have been rather hectic, with the setting up of the new virtual office, negotiations with clients, providing consultancy work to a call center, and settling down with the new projects. These activities have all been exciting, not really stressful–but time bound.

I didn’t realize that yes, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. I have just come from St Luke’s Hospital–got one of the best ophthalmologists in town to take care of my eye. He has prescribed antibiotics, gave me a list of things to buy for tomorrow’s minor surgery as an out patient.

I heard him say, “Bring iPod”, to which I said, “Doc, I lost my iPod two months ago”. I thought he wanted me to bring an iPod to distract me from the surgery. He said, again, “Bring sterile eye pads.” Apparently, he wanted me to buy sterile eye pads to cover my eyes after the surgery. Yes, this is a true story–am sharing it with you to keep my spirits high and to bring some humor. In truth, today, I see an ugly face (ugh!), but what the heck! What is important is the heart within. I am apprehensive about tomorrow, apprehensive about the pain, and who knows–scarring? I have always considered my eyes as the best parts of my face.

Anyway, taking charge of our health is a choice. It is an option. This is why from now on, I will keep my sleeping hours, even it it were during the day. I will delegate work that can be delegated to the professionals. I will continue to trust my children in their work–some of them have been in my payroll since the start of summer. I will drop some jobs that keep me away from the house for a longer time, like those requiring commute.

And I will continue taking healthy food–continue to shun away from soda and alcohol, but take a bit of the favorite chocolates–they give me a high,  walk in the park, run with BA, Vince, Chato  and Mucci. And pamper myself with spa and massage. Enjoy my family, enjoy my grandchildren (another one coming up very very soon!), and enjoy being in touch with my friends. And enjoy God’s bountiful blessing sand continue praising and thanking Him!

Life is short–make the best out of it, and BE HAPPY.

In between the kids’ summer activities in school, theater, gymnastics, swimming, etc., there are so many things in summer for the family to chill. In the meantime, sorbetes anyone?

When I got the invite from Misty Belardo for a “Journey of Taste” in behalf of their client Wrigley, I did not have second thoughts about attending, even if it meant traveling from Quezon City to the Fort in Taguig on a Tuesday trafficky evening. The word “Wrigley” sparked memories of old–dating back to 32 years when I first met my soon-to-be hubby, now the father of my 7 children. He used to work with Wrigley at that time, and it must have been the 2 boxes of Wrigley’s Spearmint and Doublemint gums that he gave me to have made me agree to exclusively date him only after 4 days of having met him. Dinner in a Wrigley sponsored event, I thought, could be a reason to relive the days of my young marriage with hubby’s employment in Wrigley for 5 years.

Orbit with Xylitol

But this time around time, it was not Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit, Spearmint and Doublemint gums that were the event’s highlight. It was Orbit with Xylitol. Still, it was all right, as my kids are Orbit kids. I have seen them too often to carry Orbit in different packaging in their bags and in their pockets. Daughter Monica is the Orbit addict. Depending on her budget, she would carry with her the one in a plastic cannister or the smaller packets. One of her OC-ness is carrying a bottle of alcohol or alcogel to keep her hands clean all the time and a pack of Orbit to keep her teeth clean all the time. With the other kids, they buy Orbit every now and then, though it is not priority for them, as they have their gimmicks to save money for.

Here are interesting facts about Orbit:

• Orbit helps prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth. Xylitol helps stimulate saliva production to wash away plaque-causing food residue, reducing the risk of tooth decay.
• Orbit is natural and healthy. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in fruits and vegetables. It does not form acid in your mouth, keeping your teeth healthy while you enjoy that great Orbit taste.
• Orbit has been proven to have dental health benefits according to the FDI, the world’s leading healt organization.

Orbit with Xylitol comes in 3 flavors: peppermint, melon, red watermelon

My personal experience

Based on personal experience, among all the other breath fresheners I have used so far, Orbit is still the best. During my 15 years of traveling, I never left home without breath fresheners in my bag. I have tried almost all brands, from the hard candies to the soft candies, gums, and tiny tablets, and they worked well to serve their purpose, though with certain effects, like some were too sweet, some clang to the teeth, others gave an acidic effect, while others just spread mint to the mouth and the effect gone to soon. Orbit helps clean the mouth and take away the residues after every meal or snack, good to the next brushing of teeth.

Seeds, breath fresheners from the Subcontinent

During my regular visits to the Subcontinent, I have developed a taste for those seeds (can be aniseed, fennel seed, coriander seed, sesame seed, dried mint leaves or a combination, spiced up with ginger, licorice, chamomile, parsley seed, and sunflower seed) that are served traditionally after eating spicy meals and curries. They are used both to freshen the breath and to aid digestion. A small amount is taken in the palm of the hand, chewed to release the flavors, and can be safely swallowed. I have offered my gums, mints and soft candies to the locals, most of the time Orbit, and they agreed that they are indeed the counterparts to their seeds.

In fine dining restaurants, I have seen the Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Indians, serve candies, mints and gums side by side with the seeds to give patrons a choice.

Journey of Taste, a pampering experience

The 7-course dinner was a bonus, more than what hubby and I expected. It was a pampering culinary experience, “7,100 Tastes”–a myriad of flavors of the country’s 7,100 islands, whipped up by three of the country’s best chefs:

• Chef Rolando Laudico, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, NY, and owner of Bistro Filipino, where he serves modern Filipino dishes, elevating the Filipino cuisine notches higher.
• Chef Myrna Segismundo, host of the Foodie Cooking Show on Lifestyle Network, a part of the Philippine Kulinarya Team, a founding member of the Manila Ladies Branch of the International Wine and Food Society, Managing Director of ABS CBN’s exclusive 9501 Restaurant, and editor-in-chief of the Foodie Magazine.
• Pastry Chef Jill Sandique, who has earned the highest grade in Peter Kumps New York Cooking School, garnering near-perfect scores in the Career French pastry and baking programs and was awarded a Blue Ribbon. She is also an apprentice under Nick Malgeri, executive pastry chef at Windows of the World.

Bistro Filipino is located in the ground floor of Net 2 Ericsson Building, 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, (tel no: (632) 856-0634, (632) 856 -0541, Website: cheflaudico.com.ph, Email: cheflaudico@yahoo.com).

Watch out for pictures and more of the pampering experience at my food blog, Dine-a-Bite.

Note: Sans for dinner and samples of Orbit with Xylitol, this is not a sponsored post.

While in the car on our way to Chocolate Kiss in UP, we were singing Christmas carols, with Pau adding a twist to The Twelve Days of Christmas, with her siblings as the main characters instead of the partridge, turtle doves, swans-a-singing, etc., and the crazy traits of each one to spice up the song.

Then they started to sing I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, but could not say the right words nor complete the song. I was then surprised to learn that at age 17 and 15, Angela and Pauline, and Monica when she was more than 20 years old, didn’t know what the song was all about. It was cute for Mommy to kiss Santa, Pau said, anyway, he is Santa Claus.

When I explained to them the true meaning of the song, it was only then that they realized that “Santa Claus was Daddy”. And Angela thought aloud, “I was thinking there was something wrong all the time, and I was wrong. It was simply Mommy kissing Daddy!”

Not that they are naive, it’s just that they did not know the full lyrics of the song, or did not have any interest or chance in the past to know the lyrics nor sing the song. Ask your kids, and find out if the case is the same.

For desserts we had a slice each of Devil’s Food Cake (Pau), Carrot Cake (Mox), Dayap Chiffon Cake (mine), Kahlua Butter Cake, Blueberry Cheesecake (Angela), and Date Walnut Cake (BA). Sans Rival, Vince’s favorite, Prune Cake, Sour Cream Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Texas Square and Pound Cake would have completed the list. We brought home the delicious Choco Chip Cookies for Alan, Jr. Now, now, I crave for these sweet concoctions.

Here’s a cute rendition of the song by John Mellencamp, and his daughter, I suppose. Watch out for the latter part.

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I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn’t see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up
in my bedroom fast asleep.

Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn’t see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up
in my bedroom fast asleep.

Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

The kids who are in an orphanage, at least in CRIBS, seem to be by default, a disciplined lot–maybe because they have no choice. Or maybe, by routine, by instinct or by the way they are raised, they know that they have no particular person to rely on, except the caregivers who are here now and gone tomorrow, the volunteers who come and go, and the regular staff who are there but not really interacting with them on a regular basis, like the kitchen staff, admin staff, cleaning staff, nurses, doctors, and caregivers.

They have their routine–wake up on a certain time in the morning, given their baths, fed their bottled milk, their bowl of porridge mixed with vegetables and a little meat, banana for dessert, in the morning, afternoon and evening.

When fed, only a few of them would misbehave–it must be their body clocks which tell them that if they miss their meal, they would have to wait for the next one.

How different they are from most of our pampered kids–there are a lot of parents whose dilemma is how to feed their children. Parents need a lot of innovation, just to make their children eat. I was not any different during the growing years of my 4 boys and 3 girls. I remember how I would hold a teaspoonful of food, mimic an airplane with matching sound, that would eventually land on the mouth of my Angelo or Monica (or the other kids who followed for that matter). Or told fascinating stories in between feeding them. It took a lot of practice and patience, though, such that after a while, I simply gave up–if a child did not want to eat, so be it. Common sense told me that a child would not die of hunger, as he or she would eventually feel hungry and eat. And yes, it worked wonders, I was victorious–they would eat. Am so proud of my 2 granddaughters, Pia (5) and Cate (3)–it seems like Angelo and Caren did not have the same dilemma. They are so well behaved and charming, they do not have a yaya to look after them.

While most mothers feed their kids with cereals, processed foods, fruits and juices, the babies in the orphanage are fed with a balanced diet that is in a bowl of porridge–rice mixed with vegetables and meat. While some pampered kids do not finish their food, or sometimes would not eat at all, the babies in the orphanage eat with gusto–when I was new in CRIBS I could not believe that an 8-month old baby could finish up his or her bowl of food.

While most of our kids have us their mothers, lolas, or yayas following them wherever they go, shield them from anticipated danger, do not give them freedom to move around the house or the garden, afraid that they might be hurt,  the babies in the orphanage are allowed to crawl on their own, learn their first steps on their own, climb their cribs on their own, and play on their own. They do not have anyone exclusively for themselves. It is amazing to see them on their own, though one who comes for a visit cannot help but pamper them with loving care albeit temporary.

They are lucky if there are volunteers in the allotted time (9-11 am and 2-4 pm everyday in CRIBS), they are given extra attention and care. Otherwise, they are on their own with one caregiver on duty for the crawlers, one for the toddlers and one for the infants. Sometimes, there are volunteers from schools who are completing their community hours required by the schools.

Well, they deserve the care of people outside their circle, people who are not family but are willing to take care of them at least temporarily, and later on the love and care of adoptive parents who will consider them their very own. After all, they have no one to call their own at the present.

Maybe young mothers can learn a lesson or two on the way that the orphans are raised by their caregivers. It makes a lot of sense, don’t you think so?

This post also appeared in The CRIBS Blog.

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But that happens only once or twice a year, simply because my mom is the queen of the kitchen. She was away during the weekend to visit her sisters in her town–and that was an opportunity to try something new. I planned to cook sotanghon, it was almost lunch time, but I was still procrastinating. The helper offered to cook–it was her chance, and I was relieved. The noodles looked good, rich in vegetables and chicken, but…tasteless.

“Ate, paki repair naman po”. And I did–added fish sauce, pepper and sesame oil. After mixing, experimenting and tasting, the sotanghon was ready to go, ready to be served.

“Buy Coke”, I asked the maid. But she reminded me about my resolve to ban Coke from the house. Maids can be all knowing at times. “Well, buy Royal Tru Orange instead”, I said, and and she did.

Ahhhh, Royal Tru Orange! Stirs memories of old…stirs memories of my youth. Royal Tru Orange was the magic drink that my grandmother used to offer me when I was a little child–when I was sick. They were my comfort drink. Add a bowl of arroz caldo.  Way back then, drinking a bottle of Royal Tru Orange made me feel pampered and special, with a little bit more of love. Rich, too, no kidding.

The kids were so amazed with my story, my walk through memory lane. They enjoyed my sotanghon and Royal Tru Orange, which I tell you, was a hit.

How about you? What was the comfort food of your youth?

By the way this is NOT a sponsored post, LOL.

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• Emerging and Influential Blogs in 2007
• The 2008 Philippine Blog Awards: Best Blog–Family and Living Category
• Digital Filipino Web Awards 2008: Best Blog–Personal

two other blogs:

• Poems from the Heart
• Dine-a-Bite

and three others:

• The CRIBS Blog (my advocacy)
• The Filipina Images (my advocacy, with Noemi and Lorna)
• Good News Balikbayan (for the advocacy section, still in its initial stage)

which will not mean anything if it were not for you, dear Friends, Readers and Family who have been there with me the past two years,

• through days of Blog or No Blog
• through mothering, fathering, grandmothering, and sibling rivalry
• through friendships, loving, hoping, and sharing
• through birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, valentine’s day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, prom night, mother’s day, and father’s day
• through Angelo, Caren, Monica, BA, Vince, Chato, Pauline, Alan Jr, Pia, Cate, and Michael
• through the Chaplet, the angels, the saints, and Mama Mary
• through Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka
• through Ateneo or La Salle at UAAP, Manny Pacquiao, and the Olympics
• through ACET and UPCAT
• through health, wellness, food, and for being sexy and skinny
• through the richest, the most successful, and the heroes–OFWs
• through taking care of dog
• through KC and Richard, John Lloyd and Sarah, Petula, Charice, Batman, Happy Slip, and Happy Sleep
• through JOBS, virtual assisting, and writing
• through coping, price increases, money sense, and the US crisis
• through the RH bill, Jun Lozada, Teehankee, Wowowee, spams, misrepresentations, and the SONA
• through fun and serious matters
• through Nick Joaquin, Literati and Technorati
• through blog events, press launches, and dinners
• through Ingat, Dedma, Busy, and Ctrl+Alt+Del
• through poetry, magic, music and mystery
• through Coke, sorbetes, chocolates, cakes, and tamales
• through the first year in the blogosphere

Oh, my gosh, until now, I still have not found my niche as first aimed 2 years ago. Regardless–I found you, my dear Friends and Readers, and you found me! I share all of these with you and my Family. Let me continue to share a part of myself with you. Let’s continue to keep each other through the years.

Let’s celebrate, Happy TWO! And yes, +amdg (for the greater glory of God!)

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From Wikipedia:

Ang tamales ay isang pagkaing Pilipino na halaw sa impluwensiya ng mga Mehikano. Karaniwang kinasasangkapan ang pagluluto nito ang pulbos o harinang bigas, itlog, at kulay-tsokolateng asukal. Madikit ang kaning-bigas na ito na hinaluan ng maraming panimpla at sinahugan din ng karne ng baboy, manok at nilagang itlog. Karaniwan itong pinauusukan para maluto habang nakabalot sa mga dahon ng saging.

Translation (mine): Tamales is a Filipino food influenced by Mexicans. It normally comprises powdered sticky rice, eggs, and chocolate-colored sugar. The sticky rice is mixed with a lot of other ingredients like shredded chicken, pork and boiled eggs. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to cook.

Tamales is already a rare Filipino delicacy. Read more about the tamales in my food blog, and where I buy them.

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Sabrosa is set among the vineyards above the River Duoro by Pinhao where the world’s best Port wine are produced. It’s landscape is also one of UNESCO’s World’s Heritage  Sites.

Sabrosa is incidentally the same municipality where Fernão de Magalhães, better known as Ferdinand Magellan was born in 1480. He was said to have “discovered” the Philippines on 16 March 1521, and one of the first persons to have circumnavigated the globe.

Almost 500 years after Magellan set foot in the Philippines, another Portuguese has come to the country—Sabrosa’s mayor Jose Manuel Carvalho Marques, who is attending the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities.

While in the country Mayor Marques will also go to Cebu, and visit Magellan’s Cross in Mactan—it commemorates the first Christian baptisms in the Philippines after Magellan’s arrival in 1521. Plans are underway to plant a replica of the Cross in Sabrosa in preparation of the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s arrival in the country.

“Come to Sabrosa”

Mayor Marques was kind enough to show a video presentation of Sabroso—to show its culture, its breathtaking landscapes, the vineyards, church, river, festivities, and tradition. He envisions a full diplomatic relationship between Portugal and the Philippines in the near future, to create an international network among the countries that somehow in the past had an interaction with Magellan, to do things together, and to explore possibilities benefiting mutually from each other. He hopes to see more Filipinos in Sabrosa, more tour groups, particularly during their festivities.

When asked about the Portuguese’s perception of the Filipina, Mayor Marques commented that Portuguese have an exotic idea of Filipinas seen with a positive point of view. Even during Magellan’s time, the men were enchanted by the beautiful Filipina women.

Wine is not just a liquid—it is a culture

Mayor Marques has taken the opportunity of his visit to bring another Magellan to the country—Sabrosa’s new Fernão Magalhães wine (served with, you guessed it right—breaded lapu-lapu sticks), which was introduced this morning to the press at a breakfast at the Casino Espanol de Manila. The same combination will also be served at a diplomat’s dinner at the Casino Espanol on 26 October.

Present during the event was Don Jose Rodriguez, Director of Insituto Cervantes de Manila. Also actively coordinating the event was Exequiel Sabarillo, a tourism expert based in Spain. He has advised a lot of tourists on places to see in Europe, and even customizes tours from Spain to major parts of Europe (contact him at e_sabarillo@yahoo.com). Portugal, particularly Sabrosa, is now one place of interest that he will be actively promoting.

The video presentation which shows the traditional way of crushing the grapes (tons and tons of them) after the harvest as initial preparation for making wine, reminded me of a scene in A Walk in the Cloud, starring Keanu Reeves. This is held yearly, each September in Sabrosa, to continue its tradition of wine making.

By the way, breakfast with Mayor Marques at the Casino Espanol de Manila was an experience. I will post about it in my food blog, Dine-a-Bite.

Invite courtesy of Philippine Online Chronicles and WikiPilipinas, our partner at The Filipina Images.
Photocredits: houses of Magellan ang Torga: Concelho de Sabrosa; others by BA

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And how it can be used to remove rust, clean toilets, remove grease from clothes, how it does not have any nutritional value, just high sugar, high acidity, a lot of preservatives and color, and many more damaging things.

But I was addicted to Coke.

In college—each meal always had to have a Coke to go along with it.

At work—it was ice cold Coke, nothing less. In the office where I used to work (we were a spoiled lot back there), each wing of a floor had a waiter who would bring snacks in the morning and afternoon. He had to reserve a can of ice cold Coke for me, or else, he had to run back to the cafeteria to get me one.

In the hospital after each delivery—Coke, please, despite the pleadings of my family that it was not the right time to drink Coke.

In traveling–I did not drink water. It was all Coke Coke Coke. Fifteen years ago, when my office mates traveled, they carried bottled water in their suitcase. I carried bottles of Coke, in later years, cans and cans of Coke as I thought that bottled water in the countries I visited was not reliable. Bottled water was for brushing my teeth and washing my face. With the regular places we went to, our hosts would always have a bottle of ice cold Coke ready for me—while everyone drank tea or coffee, I had Coke.

It was just that Coke always gave me a high. There was something in Coke that had a special effect on me—the sugar perhaps, which upped my energy and enthusiasm.

Until slowly, I woke up to the grim reality that Coke and being overweight were not good for my health and well-being. Slowly, I had to give up Coke. It was difficult, but with sheer determination, I was able to overcome my addiction to Coke—until such time that the mere sight of an opened bottle of Coke on my desk gave me the same high of drinking it—there was no need for me to drink it. With a crash diet, believe you me, I lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks! Down from 140 lbs to 115 lbs! That was in 1999, nine years ago, and a different story.

Back again to Coke for another 3-4 years, especially when I was traveling. But in 2005 I shunned Coke. Yes, my affair with Coke was an on-off affair, until it ended in 2005. I discovered the wonders of tea one fine day in the tea plantations in Sri Lanka—another different story.

Until recently, Coke has again slowly been making my day. It has to be the regular Coke, not Light Coke, not Coke Zero. Coke gives me a high, even makes me forget certain things I want to forget. Coke gives me the “lift”.

Help!

Note: This also appeared in Dine-a-Bite, my food blog.

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We had one cone each: soft chocolate ice cream in sugar cone @P15/cone. Monica observed that Mini Stop’s soft ice cream was even cheaper than the street sorbetes (P20 for the same size and type of cone in UP). What more is that the milk Mini Stop uses for its soft ice cream comes from Australia, not China!

Yes, happy at 2am! Earlier, I was like this–in a pensive mood:  And while I am working away, Monica and Pauline are happily watching a very old version of their favorite movie, “The Secret Garden” on TCM. The Secret Garden is also Monica’s favorite book, such that the 2 books we have at home are so tattered, one has already fallen apart.

(written at 2:30am, while on break from work)

This also appeared in Dine-a-Blog.

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With very little interest on the contest (either people are too busy or not interested at all), and with the deadline coming up very soon, I am sorry to cancel the contest. I apologize for the inconvenience, dear Readers.

But of course, I am upholding and supporting the sponsors’ advocacy–family togetherness.

9 September 2008

The D Spot,
under the sponsorship of Monde Nissin Corporation, the makers of Lucky Me,
is giving away a Restaurant Gift Check in the amount of P5,000 to one winner of the
“Share Your Family Memories” contest.

Celebrate Famealy Day with hundreds of parents who will come home to have dinner with their children on 22 September 2008, Monday.

This is a nationwide initiative of The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Committee on the Family Family (NCFF) and Monde Nissin Corporation (MNC) which promotes the importance of family togetherness during dinner.

Famealy Day, now celebrated every 4th Monday of September, is a nationwide call to celebrate family dining  that serves as a reminder that eating together is a simple but effective means for parents to raise happy, healthy and successful children. This family event also coincides with the first day of the DSWD’s National Family Week which runs every fourth week of September, with the slogan, “Ang Kainang Pamilya ay Mahalaga!”

Well, here is a sample of a picture of one big happy family, my family–includes my 7 kids, my daughter in law, 2 granddaughters, hubby, my mom, and mois, right after dining together. See the big smiles? Except for the little ‘un who must have been bored already. See the bond? There’s more to it than food, but at least the food was the binding force amidst easy talk, serious discussions, and laughter in between.

I have always believed that dining together is a bonding experience–a family experience. We see to it that the family comes together at least once a week (for burgers, doughnuts, pizza, pasta, cakes, or what have you), Sundays being the best choice, right after going to church. But since times are more difficult nowadays, with the purchasing power of the peso continuously falling, and income remaining almost the same, dining on Sundays does not have to be always “dining out”. Dining at home is the best option–there is no need to be in a hurry, your money can buy more food than what is available in restaurants, and the atmosphere is more relaxed. For nothing can beat the place that we call “Home Sweet Home”.

That’s already more than 200 words for a contest entry plus a photograph (lol).

• at BK, you can have it your way–additional condiments, like mayo, tomatoes, lettuce, crispy onions, catsup, etc, AT NO EXTRA COST; french fries salted or unsalted; you can have your burgers rare, medium rare and well-done
• at BK, you can enjoy a FREE MASSAGE, by an onsite masseuse (thanks, Ate Emi), at any time of the day and night. This was in response to a needs assessment survey carried out 2 years ago.
• at BK, you can order Online

Oh, I have always known that:

• all Burger King burgers are flame-grilled–a healthier way of cooking them burgers
• all BK outlets are Wi-Fi

Other things I learned:

• BK staff are friendly, customer care is at its best
• BK’s new product, Steakhouse Burgers (classic and loaded, made of 100% Angus beef) will not disappoint one’s discerning taste buds
• BK has delectable desserts of Apple Pie, New York Style Cheese Cake, sundaes, etc.
• BK has charging stations for cell phones
• BK has charging stations for PSP, iPod, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy
• BK offers breakfast up to 10 am
• BK has 23 branches which are open up to 12 midnight and beyond, except those in the malls

Call these, CUSTOMER CARE at its best. It’s a cool dining experience.

Yes, we went to BK, on invitation by Yehey Philippines, along with 50 other bloggers in various BK sites. Thanks to BK E Rodriguez Manager, Eboni and her staff Quel. More of our experience and pictures in my new comfort blog, Dine-a-Bite.

Related:  BA Goes to BK

What: Buhay Coke Vlog Contest Announcement of Winners Party
When: August 8, 2008, Friday, 6:00 p.m. onwards
Where: Taste Asia at the Mall of Asia
Wassup?: Announcement of winners and just simply to parteeh the Taste Asia way!
How: Register here.

There’s room for 500 people! So kindly spread the word too!

See Aileen’s post here for some pictures on the first Coke event.

More pictures may be found if you click on the iinks to Lennox Hotel, Dagupan City, Manor Hotel, Baguio City and Grand Handaan, Burnham Park

Lennox Hotel, Dagupan City

First stop was The Lennox Hotel in Dagupan City, where the group was greeted by the city’s ethnic dancers.

We delighted in a grand lunch buffet showcasing Dagupan’s main fare–the bangus (milkfish), cooked with Carnation Milk. My favorites were the “malunggay soup”, the greens and steamed bangus.

My name was the first to be drawn in the raffle. I won a gift pack from Face Shop.

Manor Hotel, Baguio City

It was raining in Baguio City when we reached there Friday afternoon. We checked in at the Manor Hotel. The city tour was moved the next day. I was glad that Wi-Fi was available–Airborne Access for P300/5 hours.

Dinner, the main event, was a set of sumptuous meals concocted by the renowned and ever elusive Chef, Billy King. Some of Baguio’s society graced the occasion. The array of food Gratinated Broccoli and Cauliflower, Steamed Sole, Chicken a la King, Malaysian Goat Curry, Mushroom Brown Rice and Risotto, and Boston Style Seafood Chowder, among others. Dessert was fruit crepe, fresh fruits, leche flan, etc. Most of them had Carnation Milk as an ingredient. I didn’t realize that there are unlimitles ways that milk can be used for cooking.

According to Appetite Magazine’s staff, the recipes will be published in the Magazine, so watch out for it! We thought Chef Billy King would grace the occassion. Key people from Carnation, MEGA Publishing and Appetite came for dinner, including some members of Baguio’s society.

There was another set of raffles and some speeches before we called it a night.

Grand Handaan, Burnham Park

We took a short tour to The Mansion House, had some pictures taken, then went to the Good Shepherd for some delicacies that they are well known of. We were then dropped off by the driver of Southwest Tavel Corp, and were dropped off the Burnham Park to explore parts of the city. We returned to the hotel for another sumptuous lunch, again, prepared by Chef Billy King. We were told that we could not meet him as he was already in Manila.

We checked out of the Manor Hotel at 1pm, and headed again for Burnham Park for the day’s highlights–a Grand Handaan to enjoy, together with the other Baguio people in sampling the exotic dishes and delicacies of Vigan, La Unio, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Benguet, Pampang and Bulacan.The food was truly delicious!

Entertainment was provided by the Power Puff Corn and Amsky. Baguio City must be proud of them, as the afternoon was oh so lively, with DJ Hilary.

It was also a time to bond with the members of the press, other bloggers (Noemi, Anton Diaz, Jehzlau Laurente, Juan Karlo Licodine, and Rain Contreras), Appetite and MEGA staff, and the people of Baguio.

We headed home for the long trip to Manila, and happy to be back home.

“Mom, we remember our childhood!”, my bigger kids told me as we went to the Nestle Creamery along Aurora Boulevard. They remember those carefree days when we went to that place when they were little kids. Thanks to Nestle Pops, we were again able to visit the place of carefree happiness–plus, as said earlier, the great dinner, and the greater dessert.

I got an invitation from Aisha to a dinner at the Nestle Creamery, and the invite said, “bring your whole family”. I brought my 5 kids (out of 7), hubby, my mother, and the two boys’ girlfriends. We all saved our appetites for dinner last Thursday, 26 June, and to our delight, we saw the buffet table with a row of delicious food. While eating, the new product was introduced to us using a powerpoint presentation projected on the wall. After which, a mini online game called Get Your Pop On specially made for the new product was featured, with the bloggers (including myself) as the players. Oh, only a few points away and I would have won myself that new lomo-cam! And to think that it was my first time to play online (aside from Scrabble and Crossword Puzzles).  Four of us won gift certificates, as runners up. While the bloggers were focused on playing, the restaurant’s crew presented a prepared dance number to the rest of the audience.

Finally, all we’ve waited for–dessert! We didn’t know what to expect since we were in the Creamery, where ice cream was their specialty. Our dessert came in little red tumblers with POPS printed on the label. It’s their new product! The first ever chocolate-coated ice cream snack which you could eat anytime, anywhere! Bite it! Toss it! Flick it! POP it! It was simply addicting. Ice cream has never been like this. It’s the only ice cream which you could actually eat with your hands. Nestle POPS is also good for sharing since there are a lot of POPS in one tumbler. It’s the bite-sized vanilla ice cream with a chocolate shell coating. 

Thanks, Arpee for the photo with Toni, and thanks Toni for the NESTLE POPS photo).

By the way Nestle invites everyone to join the Get Your Pop On online game. Just log on to http://getyourpopon.ph/, play the game, and you will be on your way to winning any of the following: IMAX tickets, Ocean Park tickets, gift certificates, Enchanted Kingdom tickets and a Nintendo Wii console. The grand prize is an XBox 360 Console. Cool!

So easy (or is it?). Just throw pops into the mouths of the band members while the sing and play their instruments. The highest scorer for the week wins a price. The Nintendo Wii console is up for raffle at the end of the promotional period. So, whether your score is high or low, you still have the chance to win your dream Nintendo Wii console.

We went home with a gallon of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream in a styrofoam box packed with dry ice. I showed my kids how I and my two brothers played with dry ice when we were small children. They were amazed at how thick cold smoke came out of a bowl of water with tiny bits of dry ice in it. 

The trip to the Creamery started with my kids reminiscing at how they enjoyed the former Magnolia House, and it ended up with me reminiscing my play with dry ice. Thanks to the organizers, Mads and Rosh for the warm welcome! Thank you, Nestle!

And…since two days after a surfeit of NESTLE POPS, my kids have been buying them from the nearby Ministop and popping away.

 
Related articles:
Jane’s Nestle Pops Hosts Family Dinner
Teacher Julie’s Nestle Pops Get Your Pop On
Apple’s Nestle Creamery
Arpee’s Nestle Pops: The Party
Jayme’s Final Indulgence for the Month
Franny’s Poppin It with Nestle Pops
Toni’s Pop Go the Bloggers
.
This is a sponsored post by NESTLE POPS–a new generation ice cream.