Healthy Morning Routines and Habits

It must have been a little too hard for people to absorb the term work-life balance. Whoever coined it must have been buried in work still to take credit for it, but I fully understand because we all have such a fast paced lifestyle. This makes you think a lot about how you could start your day right.

Yes, a good routine would certainly be beneficial for folks like us. Starting at breakfast, we need to make sure we have the right amount of food that can increase our energy levels so when it's already time for work, we have the power to induce productivity when we need to. A short prayer, meditation, would clear your mind off things before ticking off tasks in the office.

Waking up with a meal like yogurt and oatmeal would be sufficient, something fruity and light so you don't feel sluggish in the first hour, to last throughout the day. Like Dr. Angelica Carsula who does this most of the time, she feels it's best to have a low fat yogurt, and team it up with something that is good for digestion (oh oatmeal does that!).

Aside from the usual fare, you could add activities to help you get into the mood. There are tons of exercises that Eloiza Regaliza suggests you do, particularly running and riding a bike. It gives her focus to do a lot, but never forces friends to over exert themselves, just encourage them. She even adds eggs, veggies and bread with the yogurt too.

Popular host Show Suzuki can be seen extra energetic every time we see him in events. He does the same routine to make sure he has the energy to also make the audience feel his vibe, as it is one of his priorities. He gets one of these Nestle Yogurt cups to push him at the start of the day. This is with the help of over 1.25 billion live healthy bacteria that not only gives the energy, but also strengthens his bones and boosts his immunity. He makes sure it is part of his breakfast, because he cares much about his gut health. If you want to see the possibilities, go follow Nestle Yogurt FB and IG accounts, their website, or simply but a cup off fridges in leading supermarkets and stores nationwide! 

As they say, #YoGurtThis!

Hearty Filipino Comfort Food for Everyone: GoodAh!!!

I am so hungry I could eat a bear (quoting from Goku of Dagonball Z) and I know what would satisfy my craving. I've always had my Mom cook me a bowl or two of Arroz Caldo but these days, Mom spends so much time working at home that she needs hours of sleep everyday to recoup. I can cook but it's a chore to do that every day. I eat lugaw/goto/arroz caldo quite regularly and we have that for lunch or dinner because I request for it. Yes, you can say I'm a monster for that because it's very comforting. When it's raining, or just a little nippy because of the cold front, I would rather have it than eat things with rice. It hits the spot.

 I write and work in the wee hours of the morning, I am what you can say a nocturnal. If I don't have the strength to go down and work in the kitchen, I order through Grab Food. I'd say the convenience kinda outweighs the cost and really, I don't want to wake up people just for that. If it was a bit early I could order and have it picked up in the GoodAh! Timog Branch, but since GoodAh! is open 25 hours, you can order via Grab Food or Food Panda instead. What's good is that almost all the items on their menu is cheap and the variety of things you can order are plenty so you don't grow tired of what you eat which is a plus in my books.

 So I did the next best thing... I ordered (almost) everything!

Beef Nilaga, this was quite tasty. I love the broth, like they spent hours making this in the kitchen.

Sizzling Sisig, now all I want is a cold bottle or two no?

Fried Bangus, now where did I put that spicy vinegar... it's here somewhere.

Crispy Tokwa... I thought this was Tokwa't Baboy, but I guess my sister ate it all LOL

Lumpiang Shanghai, crunchy, needs ketchup so I'll have to open the cupboard

Now for a healthier alternative, get the Lumpiang Gulay, the perfect pair for my Goto.

Crispy Pata, for the whole family.

My personal favorite in the menu is this, they call this the GOTO SPECIAL. It's got beef tripe, crunchy pork bits, crunchy garlic, hard boiled egg, very hearty serving.

Arroz Caldo, wherein their version is very gingery. A few chicken bits, fried garlic, how can you not love something like this?

 So for those who are looking for a hearty and comforting bowl of Filipino GOTO, it's easy to get one from an institution. Since I've been working in Eastwood, or just lounging around in my home in Quezon City, GoodAh! has saved me from hungry nights all the time. You don't even have to spend too much for a meal that could satisfy even your classy office-mates or family members, because they serve things that are closer to home. That I think is the value of this place, it doesn't have to be too fancy shmancy, just real food that's good, affordable, which can be appreciated by everyone.

 If you would want to have it delivered, call their branches at Sucat 88299009/7357844, Bicutan 779431210/88243166, Metrowalk 82345870/84707070, Market!Market! 85192472, Eastwood City 86617558/83533888, Timog Avenue 83729002 or Granada QC via 88758124/82473188. Check out their menu also on their website coz it's all there!

 

How To Make Quaker Oats Cream Pie

It was a long night and I decided to not just stay in my room and be awake til 6am the next day. I started tinkering around the kitchen and I remembered that I have a bunch of Quaker Oats on the cupboard which arrived yesterday. Chef Miko Aspiras and Quaker Oats partnered up to make this recipe called Quaker Oats Cream Pie so I took out the old cookie sheets and steel bowls and started this show.

Recipe calls for:

Cookies

1 and 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 Large Egg

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

1 Tablespoon Molasses

1 and 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

3 Cups Quaker Rolled Oats

Filling

3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter

3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream

1 and 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

3 cups Confectioners Sugar

Just combine the dry ingredients, use a bowl and slowly put in the whisked wet ingredients. Fold in the oats then form them into cookie sizes. I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to do that and baked it for around 10 minutes. Make sure you watch it carefully, I left one batch a few minutes late and it got burnt. While that is cooking, combine the wet ingredients for the filling, then whisk in the Confectioners Sugar. I didn't use any mixer and just did it by hand and it turned out okay. My first batch was actually superb! I sandwiched it in two heart shaped cookies and that photo above came out. You would be proud to have that for dessert, snacks or even breakfast!

The batch I made during this time was absolutely loved at home. I stored the rest in the fridge and cooked another batch the day after, unfortunately I made the mistake of wanting it to be super crispy and burned 4 of them haha. Chef messaged me and said, "As long as you had fun doing it, that's okay! That's what is important."

Quaker Oats is a good source of protein and fiber, things that can improve your immunity and make your body strong so you wouldn't get sick. I made use of the Whole Grain Rolled Oats during the baking session because it keeps its shape even when baked and you can feel the chunky bits in it. Aside from that, it actually tastes good too after a few minutes in the oven.

Keep your family safe during these times. You need to make food that nourish available for them at home and oats are made of good stuff. I also love the Honey Banana variety because it only takes a few minutes to prepare. You're getting nutritious food on the table and protecting your family. 

Oats doesn't have to taste like cardboard, you can make it into a good meal. 

That's a good thing!

 

Your Coffee Habit Is About to Change: Try MASKAPE

As a coffee drinking country, we've been more attuned to what's available. Some of which are just things that our parents got used to, or consume because of name recall, or things that are imported, thinking they are superior because they're well advertised using different famous personalities. There's nothing wrong with that, but I think there's good ones out there that doesn't have to cost that much. I couldn't put my finger on why they sometimes have to be priced high for instant coffees. I'm glad they're opening up the market for local companies and this one's nice. Have you heard of Maskape?

It's a new instant coffee brand from Mighty And Strong Foods Corporation, so this is manufactured locally. They use imported robusta beans, ground them up and get them blended with the right amount of sugar and cream to fit the taste of Filipino coffee drinkers. I like the fact that they have different variants to fit the different moods I had all week and yes, I like what I had even for less. I saved me a bit of money because it kept me from going out of coffee shops that serve good coffee for a hefty price. Yes you pay for the ambiance and all, but for practicality this is a good thing especially when it's raining like cats and dogs outside!

The Brown and Creamy variant had that light caramel taste you get when using brown sugar in coffee. This is what I'd like to have during breakfast, even just with bread alone. I am like most of you, I dip it into the hot coffee and eat it like a treat. This is pretty good but only costs Php 5 would you believe? 

For a little more strong caffeine kick, try the Maskape Strong and Rich variety. This would help those who need a little boost during long meetings, to at least keep you awake while everyone else is reporting. I know some who sleep when other people talk too much so I'm suggesting this to him!

Mom and Dad likes this White and Creamy one. I guess they want a more roasted smell and something that's extra creamy. I was already getting a bit nervous from tasting it all in one breakfast so I skipped this on this day and tried it the next day haha.. I guess that's how addicted I am to coffee.

For those who want it a little less creamy, the Maskape Original would be best. I think this is closer to the taste of that popular brand. I think it would be nice if you try this out in lieu of that because this costs less without disappointing you on flavor and aroma.

For purists like me, sometimes I don't want a lot of things in my coffee. For a more local flair, they've got this Maskape Barako Gold variety. Sure to wake you up in the morning and keep you awake during those crucial times, this has less sugar and no cream content. Perfect for those who want to keep it simple in the morning or night.

Now here's a brand that can get you all the coffee you need without breaking the bank. If you plan to stay at home and just make a cup or two while at work, try Maskape for a change because honestly, it doesn't need to be super expensive. Right?

Quaker Oats Overnight Breakfast Club

Having the time of my life at the Quaker Oats Overnight Breakfast Club together with other bloggers and influencers from Manila. I already had breakfast but that wouldn't stop me from enjoying one thing that Filipinos have loved over the years, that's Quaker Oats, am I right?

I still remember the days my Mom cooks this before I go t school, or on days that I had to workout and have breakfast first just by adding water (no joke!). I'm sure we all have our stories because it's part of our lives. You may have bought other brands from other countries, but you can't just compare the whole oats which tastes so good anytime of the day!

At the event they had us make the most important meal of the day, that's breakfast! This is some sort of a life hack as they prepare meals for the morning while preparing it ahead of time, like at night. After all it kicks off the metabolism, a thing that healthy families should do. Quaker has base oats, rolled oats, or the oat dairy drink and cereal drinks or just their cookies. Instant, quick cook and rolled oats are for different cooking processes but overall, they are all very high in fiber that aids in digestion and gives you energy for your activities all throughout the day!

You can start by putting in a mason jar half cup of Quaker Rolled Oats, sliced bananas and strawberries, some walnuts, some milk, seal it off and put it on the fridge overnight. That's what you can have for breakfast in the morning. Some even add protein bars, honey, other fruits, or just customize everything so you don't have to skip breakfast. You don't have to prepare the whole day because even if you are busy, you can do this just like Wil Dasovich, Patty, Lauren Young. You just basically doing raw and activating it by soaking it overnight. You get it soaked and you will know everything that you put in your mouth. You can find these in your groceries, local markets, all real stuff. It will thicken up, be creamy, you can check how to do it in OvernightOats.com. 

Wil Dasovich did a version with Mangoes. He likes it more as he likes his fruits in the morning, he adds low fat yogurt, honey, pour in the milk, and chia seeds. He loves anything that has got Omega 3 in them so you can substitute if you have something healthier, I think it's more of texture. 

Then we had our breakfast, a good one at that. There are always different things you can do with it, just work around your lifestyle and make it convenient. To become a member of The Quaker Overnight Brekfast Club, you don't need to be fancy shmancy, just make one and tag QuakerOatsph on IG and you'll get the chance to win prizes from Quaker Oats Philippines too!

Isn't it a good day to have breakfast? :)

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Chaplin Cafe at Century City Mall

Had a wonderful small brunch at Chaplin. It's a restaurant at the 5th floor of Century City Mall in Makati Avenue, Makati City. It's been a while since I've been here so I'm making the trip worth it and show you around this place which I found very nice. The seats are comfy, even though it's a little packed I still managed to get seats in the center. I got to do my favorite activity, people watching. Aside from that, we got the best items on the menu as recommended by the wait staff and chef who came out to say hi later on. A foreign lad, concocting upscale middle east/Mediterranean dishes for the restaurant. I knew I had to see this.

The interiors are nice. It's like a California modern restaurant with functional, minimalist interiors. The colors are basic, black, white, green and wood tones all around. It's upscale but relaxed, I can imagine this being frequented by Titas of Manila, those who have meetings, or foreigners who just want something quick for breakfast and lunch. They have dinner, the ambiance up there was quite conducive for talk and lovely.

 

For business travelers, they have wifi. Although not that fast, it was okay for the small things like browsing and Instagram. I wanted to stay there for work but I had to attend another event on the same mall on the lower floors so after brunch I left in a jiffy.

What caught my attention was that most of the foreigners opted to stay under the sweltering heat of the sun. They didn't mind it was super hot that day and just got hydrated by drinks and perhaps took advantage of our tropical weather to get a tan while they're there. Makes sense though.

I ordered this Orange-Carrot juice which the server recommended. It was very refreshing, not too sweet, and you still get that legit orange juice taste on every sip. I think it's imported boxed orange juice though, or maybe fresh (since it's also available), I couldn't tell. A bit pricey but considering the heat outside, it's something you would think you'll need.

I thought this was chicken, but apparently this is their version of Potato Wedges. It's more on the sweet side, but I do like the variety rather than just spuds on a plate.

This is Shakshouka. It's a middle eastern egg and tomato based dish. The star here is the egg of course and is served a little runny so you can put it on your bread like a spread.  It reminds me of the Italian bruschetta, but this is vegetarian with the exception of the egg of course. They love this in any meal as part of their starters. Pretty good.

This is Eggplant Melanzane. To me, it looks like the Greek Moussaka with none of the cheese and cream. It's very nice to see something vegetarian that's this good. I think this is my personal favorite and perhaps when they come out with breads (I heard they are really soon) this would be something that would be perfect for that.

This is their Chicken Steak. It's a hearty version of Chicken Barbecue, butterflied. It's very savory. I also like that this comes with an option of potato wedges or mashed potatoes and their side salad. You basically get this as a complete meal perfect for lunch or dinner. I love the small crispy parts and how soft it is inside. If you like barbecue, you'll love this healthy plate.

 This is their signature Chaplin Pizza. The ingredients are fresh, although I found it a little unseasoned. I did put a generous amount of salt and pepper (which they had on the table) and it was okay after that. What's good is that they have a "Make Your Own Pizza" section on the menu where you can choose the ingredients and have it ordered like that. Still, they had very healthy options for toppings so you're not gonna miss out on the veggies even if it is pizza.

My friend and I had this for dessert to end the meal. She also ordered another one just so we could see the best sellers. The first one is my personal favorite, the Chocolate Souffle. I liked the flavor and how deep the chocolate is in every spoonful but, there seems to be some presentation problems. I like my plate pretty, and if it's a souffle, at least have it risen properly and not all broken down like a mush on the bottom. I was so glad that they were very receptive about comments of their food since they just opened. The Napoleon was so good, I like the flaky crust crisscrossed with luscious caramel and the dollop of cream on the side. Then the last one is the Triple Chocolate Mousse, it went missing after around 5 minutes and I don't know where it has gone. Maybe it just vanished.

Chaplin Cafe is located at Century City Mall's 4th Floor. You can access it through the Kalayaan Avenue side of the mall to get breakfast even if the mall isn't opened yet. It's the perfect meeting spot, but I'm just telling you. Yes, it's worthy to go to for a visit, or do your work. They've actually got pretty good coffee too so if you're around the area and it's a little early, go give them a visit. It's a little pricey (for Pinoys but not for foreigners) but considering the upscale ambiance, the vegetarian choices, the good food, I think it's worth it. There you go.

For more information about their restaurant:

Chaplin Cafe

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Visit their official website

https://www.facebook.com/chaplin.cafe.philippines