Masterchef Pinoy Edition

Missed the teaser? Click here! See you guys there! :)

I'm giddy and I've been wondering what dishes should I bring? I'll be cooking non-stop again to ready myself. I wanna audition that bad! Wish me luck! :)

Lemon Cleanse Day 2

FAILED. Yes and please hear me before you guys say "BOO!"

Was about to succeed! Came breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even though I had to turn down everyone in the office who offered FOOD (Oh! wonderful food!), yummy, scrumptious, tempting, definitely tempting FOOD.

Tik tok tik tok, abruptly waiting for the day to end. I just want it to end because it would mean I'd be on my way towards Day 3! And the day after that would be heaven full of pasta, pizza margherita, lasagna, oh! I'd kill for any dish with tomatoes in it!

Six o'clock came and I rushed towards the elevator to finally say goodbye to Day 2. I went to dance classes afterwards and I was so happy with my body. Maybe it was that psychological that I felt thin and light and oh well (say the word!), SEXAAAY!!! As I was doing my gemini-scorpio transition, my mind just went black. And it went for a minute or so that I even forgot that I'm on the very best position to faint, I was doing a basic invert and got stuck there. After completing that Basic Invert-Gemini-Scorpio-Pole Sit, I felt really dizzy. I felt like fainting.

I tried to contain myself via drinking lots of water. It held my body for a while. I was pushing myself to make it that I even took a bath and crawled to the bed but I felt like fainting and it got me so scared that they might rush me to the hospital anytime soon so I went downstairs and cooked myself a Nido Oriental Soup. Imagine how every sip and gulp tastes? Eternity! I felt the heat all over my body and felt this strength surrounding me. Whoever said that you had to take soup the day after you finished cleansing is right.

When our bodies enter the cleansing phase, it would need to buy time before it can finally digest solids again. Every gulp I make felt too much. It was unendurable. My throat can't even accept the thick liquid. It took me a while to finish my soup. Now, I still feel there's this thick solid stuck in my throat that won't even go away.

BUT I FAILED. And it kills me. Knowing that I could have survived DAY 2 for I wasn't even starving yet my body just failed me. Lesson learned: Never try to enter a cleansing when you have your period. You just need all the vitamins and strength to survive this phase of woman's life.

So to my fellow friends with whom I entered lemon cleanse with, I'd be more delightful to see you succeed. I'd enter lemon cleanse again, maybe after my period. I even bought lemons for my day 3!!! :(

But look at the bright side, I can finally eat on Friday! :)

BUT STILL FAILED. :(

one recipe at a time!

Well, I was thinking...I've got so many cookbooks here so why not try to cook each recipe every weekend. Sounds like a great idea, right? Right! :)

Expect gastronomous recipes in the following entries. Well, I'll try! :)

Lemon Cleanse (one more try!)

Will lemon cleanse tomorrow. Let's see if I could last again, even for a day!

I curse PMS!

As you all know, I started my lemon cleanse today yet I'm just 1 week away before my period touches down so naturally, I've been craving for chocolates and anything salty. Everything with food as its label, I'd munch it down! I survived breakfast and well, lunch. Almost. You see, I wasn't hungry but I've been thinking about food all the time. Every food photos water my mouth like crazy and it's not normal. So when m officemate me offered Nova chips, I chowed down and instantly felt my hungry stomach waiting to be released! So I asked her if she could accompany me for lunch. The original plan was to eat at Mcdonalds but it was too far for a walk. 

So we went at Waltermart and found Pao Tsin! My cousin introduced me this Malaysian fast food and was in love at first bite. 1. I love dimsum!!! 2. I love how the singaporeans and malaysians cook their nasi! 3. I love the combination of Calamansi (Philippine Lime) and Chili sauce! Just perfect! 

Everyone orders the green Hainanese rice with dumplings but I really love Nasi Lemak. It's a bit pricey compared to Hainanese but you know, the combination of whatever spices with fried dilis is just heaven! Dilis adds a little bit of bite to the rice! (I do not own the photos for I was very hungry earlier and the moment it was served, I chowed down like a dog!!!)

After that fulfilling Nasi Lemak lunch. We headed for Fruitas, and yes, of course! Everything food, I won't deny that I'd love a 16oz of Strawberry-Banana smoothie! So I ordered again and finished it in 25 minutes!

I promised myself after lunch that I won't eat anything for the whole day. after work, went pole dancing and after that, went home without eye-ing every food stalls at the train station. I failed yet again because my mom cooked Bihon for dinner! Bihon is a filipino noodle dish with pork and vegetables and usually seasoned with either fish sauce or soy sauce. Gosh, I'm starving just describing the dish!!! A juice of Calamansi (Philippine Lime) balances the flavors too.

I rest my case. Tomorrow, I'm gonna resume eating again. Maybe I'd stop by at the grocery and buy some romaine lettuces, I'd also like to skip dinner now that I'm eating again. But who knows, I'm on PMS so it's a new blog tomorrow! 

Lemon Cleanse

I entered Lemon Cleanse yesterday, August9, but failed. We had a lunch meeting and we get free food everytime there's a meeting here in the office so I browsed the Kitaro (Japanese restaurant) menu and ordered for 6 pcs. Gyoza. I got fulled though but after an hour, I was starving like crazy. I'm PMS-ing and I've been craving for chocolates and anything tasty. Earlier yesterday, skipped breakfast but ended up buying 4 bars of KitKat. 

Attended my pole dance classes from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM and was sweating like crazy since the aircon isn't working. Also attended the Belly Hip Hop (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM) class for I don't wanna get home too early. I was about to go home when I felt my hunger so I ordered a serving of pork and shrimp siomai from Siomai House. 

Came home and saw my mom's Eggplant Parmeggiana. It was the best considering it was her first time to cook it. She partnered it with pork chops and there I was eating the left-overs from dinner. I just feel hungry all the time and I hate it. 

Breakdown of yesterday:

Breakfast: 1 serving of KitKat (4 bars); corn chips

Lunch: 6 pcs. gyoza, 4 pcs. Panda chocolate goodies; corn chips

Dinner: 4 pcs. pork and shrimp siomai; 1 bite of porkchops; 2 slices eggplant parmeggiana.

Like right now, I again started lemon cleanse and every visuals of food tempts me. Even those fried eggs or even just hotdogs, they water my mouth like crazy! I WANT TO EAT! Anything!!! I can eat a stone if it labels itself "food!". I'm PMS-ing like that!!!

So anyway, for those of you who are noob with lemon cleanse, here's a little bit of info:

With many of the Hollywood stars like Beyonce Knowles, Mariah Carey and other celebrities backing the effectiveness of the lemon detox diet, it has become one of the most popular detox diets these days. 

The lemon detox diet mainly aims at colon cleanse, but has an additional benefit of short-term weight loss. 

Colon cleanse is achieved by removing the toxins that have accumulated in the body throughout the years. Such toxin accumulation may affect the quality of life by causing diseases. 

So it is necessary to remove these toxins, and colon cleanse is one of the popular methods used for this purpose. While on the diet, you are supposed to have only the lemon detox drink, which is made of ingredients that aid the body to release toxins. Let us take a look at the various lemon detox recipe ingredients.

Lemon Detox Recipe Ingredients

Very few ingredients are needed for lemon detox diet recipe, and the ingredients are well recognized as substances that help the body to release accumulated toxins. The whole detoxifying process is achieved through the joint effect of all the ingredients. The lemon detox recipe ingredients include water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper powder, and organic maple syrup. While lemon juice performs the function of flushing the waste through the bloodstream, cayenne pepper boosts the metabolism in order to enhance the process of cleansing. Maple tree syrup provides the nutrients and calories which are essential for the functioning of the body. Maple syrup also counter balances the hot taste of cayenne pepper. For best results, you have to use freshly squeezed lemon juice and good quality organic maple syrup. Read more on master cleanse lemonade diet recipe.

Lemon Detox Diet Recipe

As mentioned earlier, while on the diet, you can consume the lemon detox diet drink only and no solid foods are allowed. Preparation of the lemon detox recipe is very easy, if you have all the ingredients. You can make one glass of this drink by taking 250 ml of warm water in a glass and mixing two tablespoons of organic maple syrup, two tablespoons of lemon juice and half a pinch of cayenne pepper powder/half teaspoon of grated ginger. One glass of lemon cayenne detox drink is ready. It is always better to prepare this drink fresh, instead of storing it for further use.

Lemon Detox Diet

Now, you know how to make lemon cayenne pepper detox drink, which is the most important part of the lemon detox diet. You must have at least six to ten glasses of this drink per day, without consuming any solid food. This has to be continued for a period of around three to seven days. You may drink herbal tea, once a day, to stimulate bowel movement. You can also drink water occasionally. Initially, you may find it difficult to adjust with the lemon detox diet, but you will get adjusted in two to three days. Apart from the cleansing process, lemon detox diet is also said to be beneficial in boosting the immune system, promoting digestive health, weight loss, increased energy and healthier hair and nails. Read more on:

• Lemon Detox Diet
• Lemon Water Diet
• Lemon Cayenne Pepper Diet

Lemon detox diet recipe is one of the easiest and inexpensive diet recipes. It effectiveness is asserted by many celebrities who have also lost weight through this diet. This diet is also known as master cleanse diet, lemonade detox diet, Beyonce Knowles diet, etc. Introduced almost thirty years earlier, lemon detox diet has now become one of the most popular and most sought after detox diets. However, if your aim is faster weight loss only, then beware of the fact that as you will put on weight as soon as you stop this diet. It is always better to seek the opinion of your doctor before starting a lemon detox diet (or any detox diet programs for that matter).

source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lemon-detox-diet-recipe.html

Let's see if I'll last even for a day! :S PMS, I hate you!

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Food Styling by Delores Custer

Today marks my battle for losing weight and this is what I have in store in case I win the bet! Watch over me, will you? :)

This book will help me a lot in my chosen career: FOOD SYLIST/ FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER

Doomsday

It's my last day to celebrate food before I enter a 2-week cleansing. I connived with a friend, Drei, to do this 2-week "lemon cleanse" with me. It took me months before he finally agreed and he actually started yesterday. 

So, I always have this mannerism of overfeeding myself whenever I find that I ate too less or too healthy for the day but more on that later. Since I woke up late earlier, I wasn't able to attend my pole dance classes  so I just decided to hit the grocery after work. As I was nearing the grocery, I was tempted by White Hat saying it's my last day to taste her awesome goodness that I gave in to a Baker's Hat. I actually opted for a Healthy Nut Hat but I've been eating that flavor since forev and everything else seemed sinful so I settled for Baker's Hat instead. 

White Hat's Bakers Hat (Original New York Cheesecake, Blueberries & Whole-grain Cereals

After strolling the mall to finish my froyo, I went to cosmetics section and bought myself Maybelline's Powder Foundation and Nichido's Eyebrow Liner Duo Kit.

All went well except that Lemons in the grocery were almost running out. What was left were all rejects so I chose the best from the rejects and got myself only 6+ lemons which would only last for 2 days Lemon Cleanse. After satisfying my urge to buy, I finally went home.

The problem with home is my mom's a good cook and I just hate it when she whips up something tasty! Imaging going home with a plate of California Maki!

Homemade California Maki

I gave in for 5 California Maki and had to stop myself from finishing the plate. I opened the fridge to bring the goodies back but to my horror, my favorite Filipino food was staring at me, tempting me if it could only go nude! So, again, even though I was quite fulled, I gave in again. 

Pinakbet with Chili Flakes

Pinakbet is a sauteed vegetable dish with a collaboration of almost all Filipino vegetables such as string beans, squash, eggplants, okra, bittergourd with pulled pork strings sauteed in garlic, onions , tomatoes and shrimp paste. That filipina chef from White House in Washington served this to President Obama and called the recipe, "Vegetable Stew". I just love the smell of sauteed garlic, onions and tomatoes! The aroma is very addicting! Makes you wanna stay in the kitchen forever!

Now, I regret the moment I gave in to temptation. :( 

Anyway here's a sum up of my eating escapades this manic monday:

Breakfast: 6 pcs. pork and shrimp siomai

Lunch: 1 serving of Chicken Curry

Snacks: 2 bars of KitKat, 1 Large Bakers Hat frozen yogurt from White Hat

Dinner: 5 pcs. California Maki, 1 serving of Pinakbet

And I need to sleep! I ate dinner around 10PM and it's not safe!!!

Team Gerardos

I know how you guys wound want to read a blog with elements that would help you visualize but I swear I have a photo for this entry yet Den, karya's boyf, has not uploaded it yet so...

Yesterday, I went to see my high school friends for we were planning this decade reunion for our grade school batch mates. Funny thing was, the roster of coordinators, were of course mostly guys and most of them are the flock of black sheep in our batch. At first, Karya and I thought this won't lead into anything but then, when the guys did the talking, we were all dropped dead effin' amazed at how matured they turned out now.

They all started being serious with the event planning and they appointed me as the Event Manager/ Event Over-all since I work for a below-the-line agency. So I provided them the Pre-Proper-Post Event processes in which they took the responsibility of each committee without hesitating if they can do it or not. And you know, just seeing how matured the guys are now, I just can't help but adore them.

Good thing I brought with me my bestfriend so she instantly became a committee head for registration. I told her that this'll be good for her to keep her mind off her current situation with her boyf. So after a very productive event planning, we all decided to eat dinner. Naturally, we went for TechnoHub but since the guys (most of them are guys!) wanted to have a few drinks, we went to Gerardos. Well, the original plan was Tides but it wasn't open last night.

There are people you'll love and adore, of course, there are someone you'd hate. And the guy was actually sitting beside me talking about nonsense and blowing too much air on me. And what I didn't like was he was boasting about my industry. And you would know those with knowledge and those who doesn't have a clue. Clearly, this guy doesn't have a clue with what's going on in the real world of Advertising and Design. I tried to keep my mouth shut and you have no idea how itching my ego was last night to put him to sleep. I could knock him off with a word, even with just a simple case study!

How I hate people who go around boasting about everything when clearly, they don't have anything at stake. I'd rather hear you talk about yourself but make sure everything's real for if you do not stand by the truth, you won't earn even my least respect. And clearly, he did not. With him talking the whole night, though the night turned out fun if you just eradicate this self-proclaimed-mr-i-can-do-all-that guy.

The guys talked about SMART GILAS vs. SMART All-Stars and the ladies jived in as if the topic wasn't only for boys. That's what I like about my crowd: no room for girly girlies. Just imagine drop-dead gorgeous ladies talk about basketball. WE KNOW THE GAME. Our school actually gives more importance with sports than with studies but don't judge, we are all just as bright and we mean it. We are versatile. Yuh, I think that's the right term.

After a couple of drinks, my self-proclaimed cousin told me to get home because he needs to brief me with label design projects I had stored for him. A friend of mine also called me to just hear him rant yet see him fairly without passing any judgements. So okay, duty calls. Hahahaha!

(Will post a photo for this as soon as Den uploads it! Clearly, it's a boring here at work. No projects to busybee yourself, YET)

DAY 1 (SUNDAY)

Breakfast:
3 sweet longganiza; 1 slice of scrambled egg

Lunch:
1 cup of blanched camote tops; 1 slice of fried fish
1 cup of beef stew soup with 2 slices of pork (meat)
1 slice of banana
1/4 cup of avocado shake

Snacks:
1 16 oz of Mango Banana Shake, no milk

Dinner:
4 slices of Quesadilla
1 bottle of San Mig Light
5 nacho chips with tomato salsa dip

Last Day Today

Was about to write today about my August 5 but then my sister was watching Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone so I planned to watch instead.

But then I remembered that I promised myself that this'll be my last day to post about you. So okay, I will. After 2 entries, well if I have to count this too, 3 entries...I'm done with you.

Because of what happened, I wasn't able to focus at work. I was worrying about him actually. I cannot live with the fact that he's not okay and I'm the culprit. I know how much he loves you and what he's willing to give up for you and it kills me knowing he has to battle this. I'm not trying to gratify myself but you know, if he and I didn't get close, maybe your fairytale's in its honeymoon stage for as long as you guys wanted it.


But okay. I called a friend and ranted about it. He told me to give myself this day, JUST THIS DAY to rant and then get over it tomorrow. So okay, today's gonna be my last and won't care about this anymore.

Good thing we had a series of laughter during our coffee get-together. And yes, I wanna share it with you. You see, we had a bet: ME, DREI and KARL that we're gonna lose weight before September hits. And yesterday, we found out that Karl was very serious about this and now, Drei and I planned to get really SERIOUS!

So I went over his things and found flax seeds, milkshake powder and...THIS!

I got really curious about this Animal Snak so I asked him...

Agnes: Animal Snak? For? (waiting for him to say it's for his dog))
Drei: I just bought whatever my hand touched.
A: And this is for? (still waiting for him to say it's for his dog)
D: I'm gonna eat it.
A: (surprised) You're gonna eat this??? (shocked that he was planning to eat a dog treat)
D: Why?
A: But this is for animals?
D: Sira, that's just a brand name!!!
A: Okay... hahahaha! (felt relieved)

My gosh, I really thought he was about to eat that doggie snack! HAHAHA! How stupid of me! :))

And here's a picture of my fave Starbs Frapp: GREEN TEA (completely finished anyway)

*****
So today, I promised not to eat any food with carbs and managed breakfast but then since I had no choice during the event, the only food available at the BSP Cafeteria was Carbonara.

And during the event, since BSP prepared a lot of food, we were forced to eat even though we just ate! And the whole menu contains carbs! LIKE OOOOKAAAAY.....

Oh you're gonna love this! Saw this guys at BSP!

 Just imagine having these kids inside your coin purse!       AMAZING!!! I'd be like the richest here on earth! :))

Wednesday the 3rd!

Did I miss 1 on the word 3rd? I think it should depict 13 at the least. This cursed day started my morning damned and ended it doomed! Why on the world? Okay, went to office earlier today because I have to attend my impossible pole dance class scheduled at 6:30PM!

The MRT ride this morning was CRAZY! The line was effin' crazy and good thing I came to work really early today that I can go home before 6PM hits the clock. But on my way to Ortigas, commotions here and there were ravishing their way killing my patience. People were stranded because, again, MRT trains were found defective! Seriously guys? Could you even last a day without slapping the word "MALFUNCTION" on our faces? Like seriously? Could you pay me the hours I lost every time I come to the office late because of you? Would you pay my dance class everytime I cannot attend them because of YOU? NO! So please, come to your senses because you're making me throw cursing words at you which I know is very bad of me! But how could I? It took me an hour to travel to Ortigas from Makati? I was gritting my teeth and clenching my fists right then and there! I was spitting every curse! WOOOSAAAA.

And what's worst than delayed and defective trains? I've been eating like crazy these days? How am I suppose to lose the weight I just gained? How? So pathetic! I hate it! I don't wanna eat anymore. :( I wish I could attend my pole classes tomorrow: Pole Adagio and Pole Intermediate. I wish teacher Kara would allow me to attend the latter class. :( Have to lose weight!

Yesterday, I read Dan's blog entries via multiply. There is something about his blogs that make me feel sane. Really. It makes me feel, "Oh, I'm gonna get through this...HE DID! So I will!" The world knows how much I envy this guy. I envy his relationship with B because they live in a world of happy endings. I envy his relationship with his work because he's very committed. I envy everything about him. I know it's wrong to envy people but you know, reading his blogs make me feel everything else is NORMAL.

For the nth time.

I've been changing blogs since forever but I know that first love never dies. Why hello blogger, I created a wordpress account and broke up with him afterwards. I realized that wordpress and I will never jive together as much as we do.

I wanted to blog about everything actually. Earlier, I was blogging about my Boracay escapade but then realized that wordpress allows only 3gb photos. What the hell right? So maybe, yes maybe, you'd be more considerate? Why thank you! :)