A&D's Journey to Fitness: The Road to Losing Weight and Getting Fit

Here I am again in this losing weight and try to get fit challenge... It's been two year since I told myself I want to get back in shape, not really go back to my pre-pregnancy weight but to get fit and stronger, the losing weight (and abs, ASA PA AKO hahaha!) part will be just a bonus. Fast forward today, ano na teh? Haha! It's been two months since I've subscribed to a diet food delivery and a month since starting pilates. How do I kept on going? Read on!

Pero mag kwento muna ako... My clothes were starting to feel tighter and snug during the summer. Sh*t! I don't want to size up and buy new clothes again!!! My husband knows that food is the way to my heart and stress. Kahit na ilan beses ko pa sabihin na ayaw ko tumaba! He loves me no matter what size I come in. LOLz. I knew that but I want to become a better version of me. When it comes to exercise and eating healthy, I really do get bored easily. Parang the max amount of time I can to eat healthy is two weeks then I would get sawa (and I don't see results kasi! Impatient monkey naman ako!) and go back to my usual food. As for exercise, I also get bored easily. Sa totoo lang, when I heard that exercise gives you happy endorphins, I never understood that because I never felt it even being at the gym for an hour. All I felt was exhaustion and I was too tired to do anything else when I get home and that feeling made lazy and not look forward to going to the gym, ganon ako. And who likes that feeling diba? Kaya I always go back to square one. UGH. I hate the feeling of seeing other people, my friends going to the gym and getting stronger and I was getting fat and eating my emotions instead of motivating myself to be better.

What worked for me? I am no expert ha. This is all based on the last 2 months.
1. I subscribed to diet food delivery. It may be expensive but I know me, I know I won't be able to make my own food. I am a very busy mom with no helper. Having food delivered to me saves me A LOT of time and I only cook or buy food enough for my husband and kids.

When I crave for something, do I give in? Yes, but it depends on my mood din. If I really want to it, I will give in but will eat it in moderation. But if okay lang kahit wala, dinadaan ko na lang sa tubig. Water makes my cravings go away. So drink lots of water! But on weekends, I allow myself to indulge on food, baka maloka na ako pag hindi ko makain mga gusto ko. Trying to snack healthier too! 

Eating and cooking healthy food can be a task. I'm happy I subscribed to Fitness Gourmet :)

Healthier snack alternative! Chicharooms and Veggie Chips! Looking for more healthier snacks like this? Any recommendations?

2. Find a form of exercise you like and stick to it. I've been looking for a workout that I will really like and stick to it. I've been to a gym, tried working out at home but somehow I feelI'm glad I attended a reformer pilates class with Jackie, Michelle and Chessy at OneLife Studio last month. Nagkayayaan lang and I'm so happy I went because I've been going twice a week for a month na! And loving it. I realized how much having pilates buddies and a workout place with super nice teachers and staff gives me motivation and look forward to my next pilates session. Now I understood na the happy endorphins with pilates!

Smile pa din kahit masakit! Loving every session!

3. Time, commitment and willingness.
Make time to exercise at least twice a week. Commitment not only to your workout but also to your diet and last is willingness. I've tried and failed on my diet and exercise so many times because I lack willingness and commitment. And all of these go back to number 2, I found happiness in pilates and that happiness fuels my commitment! Bow.

To date, I have lost 4.7kgs in two months. I haven't weighed myself again because I've been cheating on my diet food haha! I took a photo of myself (and tummy) during summer and last week I decided to take the same photo to "see" if I was having progress, and I was surprised to see how my tummy have shrunk, malaki pa din siya ah! But I see progress and that's what matters! Abs, magkikita din tayo!

#BetterMe Lee Kum Kee Recipe Swap + A&D's Kid Approved Fish Recipe!

I have to admit there are days when I am too lazy to cook and for lazy days, a quick recipe with a pantry-available ingredient would always come in handy. Lee Kum Kee has always been on of my pantry staples for quick, easy and yummy meals! I'm sure Lee Kum Kee is always a part of your grocery list as well as your pantry too!

 Just a few of Lee Kum Kee's best-selling products. Hoisin sauce is my favorite dimsum partner. Kaye have me a bottle of Lee Kum Kee's Premium Soy Sauce and I used it on my adobo and it made it so much yummier and it's because Lee Kum Kee only uses the finest beans for its premium soy sauce.

Lee Kum Kee has been around since 1888, they are known as the world's first oyster sauce brand. Lee Kum Kee is a Hong Kong-based food company that specializes in manufacturing oyster-flavored sauce and a whole range of Asian and Chinese sauces. Today, Lee Kum Kee has over 200 sauces and condiments available worldwide. Its sauces are used in the best gourmet restaurants to modest family kitchens.

Lee Kum Kee held a recipe swap and cooking demo with four awesome moms sharing their tried and tested recipes at home. With Lee Kum Kee Panda Oyster Sauce as one of their main ingredient, no doubt it's deliciuous and effortlessly brought out the best in their dishes, enhancing the flavors and highlighting the premium goodness of the ingredients!

The mommas and Shiao Chew Chan (in the middle), Southeast Asia Regional Category Manager for Soy. I never knew that recipe swaps could be this so much fun! Now I have more dishes to serve my family!

Suzi Entrata-Abrera, TV personality and mother of three, shared her very own Thai Omelette recipe.

Michelle Aventajado, aspiring yogini and mother of four, shared her Grilled Salmon recipe.

Michelle Lim, newbie homeschooler and mother of two, shared her Tofu Saute recipe.

Eliza Santiago, make-up artist and mom of one, shared her Zenmeyang Shucai (Sauteed Asparagus) recipe.

And here's my own recipe which was a happy accident because I was experimenting on a new fish recipe. It's a happy accident because my kids loved it and I have made three times since the first time I made it.

A&D's Kid-Approved Fish Recipe

Ingredients:

2 pcs Cream Dory Fillets (or any white fish)

2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Panda Oyster Sauce

4 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce

1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil

Procedure:

1. Mix all Lee Kum Kee sauces in one bowl. You can add water or add more sauces to adjust to your taste.

2. I've cooked this two ways. Steamed and cooked it in the oven toaster. Lay the fish fillets on a plate (for steaming) or aluminum foil (for oven toaster) and glaze the fish with the Lee Kum Kee mixed sauce.

3. Steam or cook it in the oven toaster for 15 minutes.

4. Serve with rice

This is one quick and easy recipe and the one of the easiest to teach your cook or helpers at home! Plus the kids love it! It's a win-win for me! The first time I cooked it, I didn't put any Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil but I did the second time and it made a lot of difference. If you love the smell of sesame oil, then you know what I mean. And Lee Kum Kee has the best quality of sesame oil until the last drop! 

Karen Mejia, owner of Terrace 45 restaurant also shared her expertise with some tips and tricks to make meal preparation even more fun and hassle-free.

Lee Kum Kee is committed to only delivering quality products and with its variety of products, we are sure of its authenticity as well. A special team monitors every step in the production process. Oysters are carefully selected and harvested from their own oyster farm and processed on the day of harvest  to retain its freshness and purest taste.

Only the best oyster sauce in my kitchen, Lee Kum Kee Panda Oyster Sauce!

Do you have an original recipe using Lee Kum Kee products? Lee Kum Kee hopes to inspire Filipino moms to whip up more dishes to be enjoyed by the entire family. And to encourage moms to experiment in the kitchen more often, Lee Kum Kee is running a Facebook promo for the most creative photo of their very own dish prepared with Lee Kum Kee. P25,000 worth of kitchenware vouchers await the winners. Promo runs from May 27 to June 26, 2015.

1st prize Php7,000

2nd prize Php5,000

3rd prize Php3,000

10 Bonus Prizes Php1,000

How to join: 

1. Cook a dish using ANY Lee Kum Kee product. 

2. Take a picture of the dish and the Lee Kum Kee product used. Name the recipe then upload. 

3. Use the hashtags #LKKRecipesByMe #(LKKProduct) (Example: #PandaOysterSauce)

*Winners will not be determined by the number of likes.

*Winners will be picked at the end of the promo period. 

Terms and conditions apply. http://on.fb.me/1J4QP8h

Lee Kum Kee products are available at major supermarkets nationwide. To know more about Lee Kum Kee, log on to www.lkk.com or check out Lee Kum Kee Philippines Facebook Page

Woof Woof Says My Oreo Dog Bento!

A&D has joined the Bento bandwagon but still not quite... I've bought and collected more than enough bento tools but I've only done bento only a few times. And so I was so happy that the #SoMoms had a workshop with THE Bento Mommas!

 The awesome mommas behind The Bento Mommas!

I've done simple bentos for Y for her baon and breakfast but I haven't done a full bento until this workshop. I've been wanting to attend a workshop for the longest time but it's always not the right time so I was so happy this workshop fell on a holiday! And it was made special because it's a Oreo Bento Together Workshop!

 

So happy to be with fellow mommies and kiddies!

Our very own bento kit! I'm so giddy just looking at my new bento tools!

This looks intimidating right? But it was not that hard naman pala!

Kaye did the demo for the bentos that day. Bento is all about making food more fun to prepare for us moms and for our kids more fun to eat!

Even when preparing bento, we moms must remember to add healthy food like veggies, meat, pwede naman ng occasional hotdog or spam, fruits, and some treats like sweets. Just like what our first bento!

Tadaaaah! This is my first full bento!

The bear is made of brown rice and white rice. The eyes, nose, and ribbons are made of nori (punchers and tweezers are essential!). Then there's corn and broccoli for veggies, chicken, apple and Oreos as treats!

Molding the rice was easy, even cutting the nori is not hard. Doing the deco on the apple slice was the hardest! Give me a scissor and paper, no problem! But with a knife and apple, it's hard! But I was able to finish my chckered apple! Tip: Dip your apples in 7-Up or Sprite to prevent it from oxidizing.

Our next bento was an Oreo challenge! But first Kaye showed us how to bento-fy your sandwiches!

As you can see, the sandwich is made of chocolate bread, ears are made of open face original Oreo, eyes and nose are made of the Oreo cream with chocolate chips, whiskers are pretzels!

As for my bento challenge, I got a dog to make as my bento and the challenge was to incorporate Oreos into it! I thought it was easy because it's just a dog! Nooo.... I ad a big question mark on my fez!

Does it look like a dog? I felt like it looks like a cow. Haha! My dog is made of chocolate bread and plain bread. Y said she wanted me to use Strawberry Oreos hence the pink eyes and nose. Plus more Oreos and marshmallows as treats and grapes!

The other SoMoms nailed their bento challenge! Tina and her daughters won the challenge and won themselves a bento book which you can buy from The Bento Mommas!

The phenomenal momma Tina and the Bento Mommas!

Check out the other bentos by the SoMoms!

MFO's A for effort Oreo bears!

 Mish's super cute owl! You can check Momma N' Manila for her step-by-step on how to make an owl bento!

These were  the bento in our table.

Clockwise: Dog Bento by me; Bee bento by Didi; Lady Bug Bento by Candy and Cat Bento by Tina!

With these kinds of bento, I'm sure picky eaters like Y and Kris's M, will surely be enticed to eat their food! Thank you so much to Oreo, Bento Mommas, and BYS for coming up with #BetterMe sessions like this!

A&D's Bawal Maging Losyang Series: #BetterMe with Better Kilay and Make Up

Here's the part two of my Bawal Maging Losyang Series!

This year, one of my resolutions/goals , was to learn how to put make up properly especially how to do my kilay! I never paid attention to how the eyebrows can define ones fez! I only noticed it when I always see the beautiful eyebrwwos f Eli (The Painter's Wife) and Jackie and Eli will always make pansin our kilay! Nakaka-conscious but it's for a #BetterMe!

My current make up stash

Eli recently ventured into a new career, a professional make up artist! Ang bongga lang! And I always wish I have some party to go to so I could have myself made up by Eli!

A brief background on Eli: "I’ve loved makeup since I found out what it is. Probably about 6 years old.

Went into formal training at The Makeup Secrets School, which is a school directed by Myrene Santos, MAC Affiliate Artist.

Under Myrene, I was in the makeup team for Trumpets’ Bluebird and hair team for Grease."

Eli asked us why we were there that day.  I want to learn how to do make up on my own. I was never the kikay girl. Yes I have make up but I only buy what I know how to use. I was part of my high school and college's dance troupe. I always asked someone from my group to help me put my make up on so it's really a high time that I learn to do make up properly. And the most important one: "Bawal Maging Losyang!" I was super excited for this workshop and to really apply (which I've been doing after the class) what I've learn and not just doing it in my mind. Heehee! 

Then we are asked to lay out our make-up : Eyes, Face and Lips.

My humble collection of make up!

I really get overwhelmed with make-up and that is why I love Eli's workshop because we work with what we have then just buy what we need after the workshop. For me, I need to practical. If hilig mo talaga mag make-up and you'll be able to use and make sulit your make-up purchase then go ahead! :)

You only need what your life needs. Hear that?

But before putting on our make-up, one must have have a basic skincare. Do you have a skincare regimen?  I've always been on and off on my skincare but growing up with acne, I've tried a lot of brands and now I stick to what works. For me, it's important to tone and moisturize. And this can serve as your primer!

Jenny of My Mommyology was our model for the day! Eli put on moisturizer/primer then (liquid) foundation and may difference talaga! We were able to touch and poke Jenny's face hihihi.

Hi Jenny!

Next step is the eyes! Shucks! The most challenging one for me! I asked Eli to buy me the Naked II palette for me last year but I've only used it thrice. I followed how Eli taught us during class and the one time I asked her on FB message on how/what colors/shades to use and how to apply! There are also YouTube tutorials but I've yet to try it!

Tips on how to put on eyebrows! I've been practicing this ever since.

Beauty Box Corp was generous enough to sponsopr us K-Palette Real Lasting Eyebrow and Eyeliner

Eli using K-Palette on Jenny

For applying eye shadow, you need to find your crease. That will serve as your guide kung hanggang saan lang si eye shadow.

Eli showing Chessy her crease

Next step naman is the cheeks, how to contour, highlight and blush. Eli taught the proper way of putting on blush! On the apple of the cheeks lang!

See the cross section there? Tat's where you apply the blush

And last but not the least step is the lips! And there's a new rule in wearing lipstick...

I've always been afraid of colors when it comes to make up so I stick to the basic pink or peach. And now ko lang na-realize na I look patay pag walang lipstick! My mom always says that kaya lagi siyang may baong lipstick!

Tadaaah! Ang fresh lang ni Jenny!

And after absorbing all those information and before us students apply our own make-up, lalamon muna kami! Casa Marcos served us really great food. BOS was so jealous kasi he like Spanish food especially paella!

Casa Marcos in Forbeswood Heights

Casa Marcos started in 1940 with tis first resataurant in Roxas Boulevard. Then opened another one in Gilmore Avenue in 1983 then to Tomas Morato then it eventually cclosed in 2000. The re-opening of Casa Marcos was partly brought about by the regulars of Bread Bag Pandesal Bar in Ortigas where it served some adopted dish from Casa Marcos. After the clamoring of their loyal clients, Casa Marcos was reborn.

Muffin Galvez, owner of Casa Marcos tells us the history and story of Casa Marcos

And now on with the food! Feast your eyes with some Spanish goodness!

Their famous pandesal! Soft and malaman!

Almejas. Baked clams topped with melted cheese and garlic bits. Super sarap with their special sauce!

There was also Gambas which goes great with their mini pandesal!

Paella Valencia

Paella Negra

Who doesn't love steak?!

We were also served pandesal sandwiches! This was the kesong puti, tomato and lettuce. Add some pesto before taking a bite!

And to cap off the super yummy lunch was this bread pudding with ice cream on top!

After that filling lunch, we did our own make up kaya there's no photos anymore! But I made the effort of applying make-up every time I go out lalo na my eyebrows! Hihi!

Thank you Casa Marcos for the venue and the great food and YBS and Eliza Ypon for hosting this #BetterMe session!

And to show you my kilay and fez are the photos below! Super easy to use K-Palette on my eyebrows kaya I always use it!

I have to excuse na for saying I don't know how to put on kilay!

And no more excuse not to do a selfie in the car after putting on make up! Hihihihi!

Thank you Eli for that Make-Up class! I;ve never been more confident with putting on make-up! As in! Super super thank you! Kaya mga muthers, remember, bawal maging losyang! It's never too late to learn how to put on make up! Eliza conducts Personal Make Up Seminar.

The more merrier!

Eli also does hair and make up for your special occasions. Range is Php2500-Php3500 depending on the requirements. She only uses quality brands like MAC, Urban Decay, Tarte, Smashbox, etc. You may contact her through her mobile: 09178173547 and email: 

eliza.santiago@gmail.com

Currently, she is Myrene's assistant for the Hair and Makeup Department of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in Resorts World, and MAC Guest Artist for the production too. :)

For more information on Cure, K plette and Casa Marcos, please follow and like!
Eliza Ypon

Mobile: 09178173547

Email: eliza.santiago@gmail.com

Casa Marcos

Facebook: Casa Marcos
Instagram: @casamarcos
Website: www.casamarcos.ph

Cure Philippines
Facebook: CUREphil: Official CURE Natural Aqua Gel Philippines
Instagram: @curephil
Twitter: @CurePhil

K-Palette Philippines
Facebook: K-Palette Philippines
Instagram: @kpalette_ph
Twitter: @Kpalette_PH