FoodEx: Beaming Beancurd

I wasn’t particularly looking for a Beancurd House as I am already content with the grocery and soybean kiosks for my much-needed soya fix. I was too early for a meeting and so I looked for a nearby coffee shop to do some work while waiting. Out of curiosity (and the sight of the lovely egg tarts), I checked out this hole-in-a-wall store, Rochor Beancurd House, which became an instant favorite!

Presenting.. My recent discoveries:

1. Portuguese Egg Tart: Flaky crust, creamy custard filling. Just the right sweetness..

2. Tofu Fries: Crisp and softness in every bite! This lightly breaded tofu fingers is topped with a dash or two of cinnamon and chili powder. Never expected it to be so addicting!

3. Sweetened Bean Curd (Hot or Cold): Similar to our taho but without the sago. Silky smooth texture, sweetened by a light sugar syrup. So simple yet satisfying..

I have yet to try the other items on their menu.

How to maximize your Sunday respite – Part 1

Today is Thurday–and so the countdown to weekend begins.. If you have already mapped out your weekend activities, then good for you.

Weekends, particularly Sundays, are rare opportunities to restore our sanity recharge prior to braving another work week. And while not all Sundays are created equal, here are some of the ways to maximize the official rest day of the week:

1. Sleep in.. just a ‘little’ longer. (Just a little or you’d be lethargic and unproductive throughout the day..)

2. Enjoy a hearty brunch with loved ones. (Best with strawberries, champagne, and dark chocolates!)

3. Control the urge to open work email. (Hide your planner under your bed, if you must)

4. Have a nice chat with someone 10 years older or 10 years younger. (Their insights are amazing!)

5. Join us @ The Feast:

Photocredit: Jessica Sespene

Pic(k)s of the Week – March 22

I am perfectly content with the way my wellness program is progressing. My next review will be in three weeks—so in three weeks, shall I update.

***

I was looking for a particular photo to use in my send-off postcard to a dear friend who will be leaving for a special assignment real soon when I stumbled upon these:

Impromptu dinner on the night before I left for SG @ Cafe Mary Grace, Alabang Town Center

Dinner before heading to Starbucks Monday @ Cyma, Alabang Town Center

Almost New Year Mongolian Dinner @ Hacienda Dela Fuente, Tagaytay (Photo by Paolo Dela Fuente)

Ria wins the bet. Sunday brunch @ Spiral, Sofitel (Photo by Van Abrenica)

Pia and Mike's Wedding in Tagaytay (Photo by Joe Joson)

2008 Christmas Party.. May mumu sa likod! Haha (Photo by Dee Borromeo)

Notice the color-coordination? Well, most of our photos seem we’re always in uniform.. These were unplanned (except for official activities) and we only realized our monochromatic color scheme when the photos were uploaded. Well, “great minds think alike,” they say..

I really miss my Kinse Loves!

4 Kilos and Counting..

Yes indeed! I have dropped this much a month after I posted my self-imposed wellness commandments and strictly abiding by it. This is a safe number considering almost all of these kilos were taken from fat (as proven by the in-body analysis) and not muscles (that’s why crash diets don’t work!).

How I did it?

1. Detox program for 2 weeks – made me really cranky and crave for Mexican food, macarons, souffle, and bolognese

2. I walked and walked.. Ran and swam.. and spent 2 Saturdays biking at the East Coast Park

3. Cheated with KFC, Tita Nanec’s molo soup, mint chocolate, Marty’s, chili crab, and Candy’s pasta — just made sure they were worth every calorie!!!

4. Read and researched, checked food labels..

5. Followed the health commandments.

Now I’m on Phase 2.. New program.. Let’s see in a month’s time!

10 Commandments Minus 10 Kilos

Truth be told, I have gained another 3kg in 2010. (Additional 3kg to the 15kg I gained in 3years while I was working for San Miguel).

Likewise, my Manila vacation last week proved to be detrimental, not only in keeping the weight off but also in not gaining unnecessary calories. So, in one beautiful evening in Cafe Breton, West Gate, Alabang, 5 friends and I signed a ‘formal contract’ to signify our fitness commitment. Drafted by Atty. J (yeah, that’s how serious we are!!), the contract stipulates the following clauses:

      – That I, Atty. J, and R commit to lose 10Kg. By May 2011 (2lbs a week is healthy)

     – That if Atty. J loses the necessary inches to fit into a Hugo Boss suit, he will be entitled to the aforementioned suit to be purchased by the other 5 signatories

     – That if I and R lose the same amount of weight, Atty. J shall fly all 8 of us to Vietnam and Cambodia

     – **Legal and healthy method only

In my commitment to pursue a lifestyle change, I have drafted the personal commandments I intend to follow to a) Shed off the 18Kg I gained in the last 4 years and b) Keep them off for as long as I live. Hence, my 10 minus 10kg commandments:

1. I shall learn to unlove dairy-based desserts. (This is number one because this is the most painful of them all. I literally stalled after typing this to convince myself that this is the right thing to do).

2. I shall run and swim at least 4 hours a week.

3. I shall keep the ratio of fruits and veggies to meat to 3:1

4. I shall only consume rice and pasta on days I am going to do heavy workout.

5. I shall take the public transport, instead of hailing a cab (unless it’s midnight).

6. I shall ditch any mode of transport if travel is within ‘reasonable’ walking distance.

7. Following rule 6#, I shall wear, or bring comfortable shoes wherever I go. No excuses.

8. I shall make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water (and avoid milkshakes, milk tea, and coffee in plastic packet).

9. I shall only consume a maximum of 2 glasses of wine per week (only if I have to).

10. I shall not go clothes shopping unless I reach my ideal weight.

I have also been doing research on accupuncture treatment for weightloss. (Yes, that’s how desperate I am to bring back the beach-bod silhouette I donned some time ago.) But in doing so, I have to shell out some funds amounting to these:

Yes, indeed. That’s how pricey the treatment would be.

Sigh. Looks like you babies would have to wait looooonger.

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