A Choice to be Light

A month ago I have made a big decision about how big I am.  I enrolled myself in the Cohen Lifestyle program.  I have been comfortable of myself for the longest time and was not bothered by my increasing weight until a I woke up weighing 207 pounds :-(  For the past years I just kept on getting heavier.  It started after giving birth to my first kid.  From the usual 130lbs i weighed 160lbs.  I was not able to get rid of the post natal weight gain and just continuously gained in the next 10 years.


I have tried several means to lose weight but nothing really worked.  I went on crash diets, enrolled my self to gym and even tried those slimming machines and cold wraps but nothing really gave me the significant result.  Either I don't gain weight, lose a little but later on gain back double.  Hitting the 200lbs mark was a wake up call.  I never really thought I could be this big.

Right before enrolling myself to the Cohen Lifestyle program, I did some mental preparation.  I was on vacation in South Korea, the picture above was taken 2 days before I started with this lifestyle change. While overseas,  I conditioned myself to stop craving for restaurant and fast food.  I prepared myself that I will eat differently with my family moving forward and that I need to do this to heal myself from sickness called obesity.  Right now, I am taking to heart what the center told me.  Food is my medicine.

I started the day before my birthday.  It was a test of how I can control myself.  While everyone is eating spaghetti, chicken, cake, barbeque and cake, I had chicken breast salad in balsamic vinegar.  In the first few days of my journey, I thought of backing out but every time I think of how costly the program is and how many people actually made it in the program puts me back to the right perspective.

The Cohen Lifestyle is based on blood chemistry of a person.  The food is weighed based on personal eating plan and cooked the Cohen way.  This program really needs time management and attention to details when it comes to food preparation.

I am now on my 6th week.  From my last weigh in (4th week) I lost 18lbs, something i never ever achieved in the different programs i took before.  This is what is keeping my determination from sticking to my eating plan.  It's still a long way to go but every step of the way is worth it.

Homemade Potato Chips

Last Christmas a good friend of mine, without her even knowing, fulfilled one of my Christmas wishes -- a Mandolin Slicer.  This kitchen tool works wonder!  It can slice vegetables and fruits paper thin.  This means I can make chips at home.  Although this isn't too healthy, I would rather eat and give my kids homemade chips than buying processed one.

I bought big big potatoes from the Supermarket and used the blade for thin slices.  While the the potato is still big i did not mind using the protective holder but the blade is seriously sharp and I would not want to have portion of my finger sliced.

My mandolin slicer comes with a stainless bowl that fits the slicer.  Since potato had water or juices when sliced I lined the bowl inside with paper towel to absorb it.  While slicing the potato, I heated a pan fryer about 1.5 inch deep and fill it with canola oil past half the pan.  I read somewhere that thinly sliced potato does not need to be deef fried, the key is the consistency of the heat.  

I fried the potato immediately upon slicing.  The natural juice of the potato creates bubble during frying.  When it is nearly cooked the bubbles disappears.  Since I did not use a deep fryer i turned the potato slices when one side turned slightly brown.  Fried chips is cooled using a stainless streamer.  A cooling rack for cookies would be great but i don't have one.  The streamer does the job, excess oil is removed. 

After draining the potato chips a placed them in a bowl line with paper towels.  I sprinkled a little salt to the chips and it was perfectly crisp, a lot better than potato chips in foil.  I could taste the freshness of the potatoes.  

To complete the snack, i made my own sour cream dip which is perfect match with potato chips.  I have been dipping Lay, Ruffles, Farmer Jack's and Oishi Gourmet Picks' plain potato chips since I found this onion dip seasoning from South Supermarket.  I rarely see this brand from the other big supermarket.  The pack requires 2 cups of Nestle Sour cream in 240 grams but instead of buying two cups of sour cream, i just use 1 cup and divide the seasoning into half using a digital weighing food scale. 

I also found a good substitute to sour cream which is quite expensive.  A cup of Nestle fresh yogurt taste perfectly fine with the seasoning.  It's a bit more sour but it goes well with the plainly salted chips.  The dip made from yogurt is slightly thiner in consistency compared to sour cream.  

I know this is one sinful indulgence, substituting sour cream with yogurt at least lessens the calories that goes with this comfort snack.  When I was younger, I used to make fried potatoes sliced as thinly as I can with the hope that it will at least taste like the potato chips bought from foil packs.  Now, the mandolin slicer made it possible for potato chips to be homemade.  Two thumbs up for the mandolin slicer.  

Remembering Lola

Few weeks ago, one of my officemate was complaining about how expensive this 'suman' (rice cake) that they bought from Tagaytay.  Apparently, it was a suman sa lihia (lye flavored rice cake).   I told her it's easy to make.   Whenever I see this suman,  I can almost always associate it with my Lola Kikay. I used to help her prepare and cook which is actually her specialty.

This suman requires few ingredients:

• 1 kilo malagkit (glutinous rice)
• 1 tsp lihia (clear lye food flavoring)
• banana leaves
• grated coconut and white sugar

If you prefer the latik you need:

• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 1 cup brown sugar

In a big bowl mix lihia with malagkit continuously until the mixture appear yellowish in color.  Set aside.  Cut banana leaves into squares. Prepare another set of banana leaves cutting the squares in half, this will serve as lining.  The leaves has to be heated to make it soft so it would not crack when you wrap the suman.

Take one square banana leaf and put the half leaf on top to serve as lining.  My lola used to wrap this suman by laying the banana leaf down like a diamond while the half leaf is placed on top horizontally. Place 3 to 4 tablespoon of malagkit.  Wrap it by joining the north and south ends together folding it gently but firmly.  Fold left and right side to make a rectangle.  This has to be wrapped firmly.  Put two pieces together the folded sides face to face, then using a straw tie the suman together about 2 cm from edge.  It should look like this:

Place the suman in a big pan filled with water covering to ones on top.  Cover the pan and bring to boil for about 3 hours.   Prepare the latik by mixing the coconut milk and brown sugar. Bring to boil while constant stirring in low fire until it thickens.  This suman can be served with latik on top but my Dad like the grated coconut too while my sister prefers just the grated coconut with sugar. 

My Dad said it tasted like what my Lola Kikay used to cook.  It made me smile, I successfully recreated my lola's specialty and no less than her youngest son (my dad) said it was like eating what lola's suman sa lihia.

A lot of the recipe calls for the malagkit to be washed but i remember my lola using the malagkit dry and stirring the lihia in continuously until each grain is covered.  I missed my Lola while doing this.

Japanese Pride

The long weekend is almost over.  Typically I would spend a great time watching Korean drama, the marathon way.  This time, I opted to search for a Japanese drama since they are usually short.  The problem I have with Japanese dramas though is that I usually get bothered at times with actors especially when the drama is lifted from a Manga (japanese comics).

I found this drama out of comment thread from online streaming sites where I usually watch Korean, Taiwanese and Japanese dramas.  The drama is entitled Pride which stars Takuya Kimura whom i think resembles Korean actor Lee Min Ho.

I don't know what took me so long to find this drama.  The story centers on Haru (played by Kimura) a talented hockey player who appears to be cold until he met Aki (played by Yuko Takeuchi).  Haru and Aki agreed to be a couple until Aki's boyfriend (Natsukawa) returns.  She has been waiting him for 2 years despite of no communication.

Both consenting to be in this game,  Haru and Aki actually developed real love.  Unfortunately, Aki's boyfriend suddenly returned which signaled a game over of this blooming relationship.   This actually breaks my heart for Haru.  I know that Aki, only by a long lost promise of marrying his boyfriend upon return, is choosing Natsukawa but deep inside her she has truly learned to love Haru.

The story has a simple plot.  It slowly unfolds each of the main and supporting characters in every episode.  The chemistry between Kimura and Yuko worked as I wish they are for real.  I also like it that Japanese dramas develops stories fast such that a dragging and boring drama would be obvious.  There is not much prolonged agony and sorrow.

I like this drama, I don't know why it took me a long time to discover it.  Good thing that it doesn't look that old.  I also find Kimura interesting, he looks so well (ahem read as 'hot') and equally good in portraying his role.  To date, I only have Shun Oguri in mind whenever i think of Japanese actors to like and now Kimura is an addition.

If you are looking for something to watch, take time to watch Pride.  It's a feel good drama, certainly you will fall in love with Haru and Aki's love story.

The New Landmark of Singapore

When I learned that the company is sending me for a 3 day conference in Singapore and saw that Marina Bay Sands is one of the hotels included in the list of the choices, I immediately said I am staying in this hotel.  Who wouldn't want to experience a PHP16,000 (499 is Singapore Dollars) a day hotel that boasts an amazing infinity pool on top of the hotel?

The hotel offers a free coach from Changi Airport to and from the hotel round the clock.  This is one big plus especially when taxi fare in Singapore is a little expensive.  The coach regularly picks up guests every 30 minutes from 6am to 10pm and then every hour after the period.  The coach is equipped with WiFi so you can immediately go online while waiting for its departure.

Just as I expected, the hotel lobby spells grand while you walk towards the reception.  The hotel has 3 towers and the deluxe rooms are all located at Tower 3.  After making a deposit for incidentals we were immediately handed over with our key cards.  

There were so many people in the lobby that guards are checking key cards when accessing the hotel's elevator.  Even if you luckily sneaked in, you need to insert your key card to be able to press your destination floor.  The hall way smells like you're just walking towards a spa.

The room was huge! The linens and pillows are sure quality ones.  There are 3 pillows in each bed plus an extra one found inside the cabinet.   There is a big LCD TV and a spacious desk equipped with power outlets with universal configuration so you don't need to worry about an adaptor.  There is a LAN cable if you prefer ethernet connection and of course WiFi,  both free of charge.  There is also a mini bar but if you are not seriously considering consuming any of the content inside it, I suggest you don't open that small fridge.  Lifting any item inside the fridge will automatically charge your account with item cost.  It's weight sensitive so you can't put anything inside it other than the original content.

I immediately checked on the bathroom and I am specially delighted that it was big and well furnished with all the toiletries you need.  Four sets of bath towels are provided.  I just noted that there was no grab handle in the shower so you need to be careful not to slip when bathing.

The next day we were transferred to room in the upper floor as we requested.  It was a good decision to request for one during our check in as we could have missed a spectacular view of the bay from the room's balcony.

The place is so massive that a casino, convention halls and shopping mall is co located with the hotel.  All the top luxury brands are housed in the shopping area from Louis Vuitton, Prada, Channel to casual brands like Banana Republic, Nike and Adidas.  There is also a 7-11 that is one of a kind inside the shopping mall.  The facade of this convenience store is at par with the rest of the shops inside.

The hotel is connected to SMRT station CE3 (Bayfront Station) of the Circle (yellow) line.  The line that takes you directly to Vivo City Mall which is the largest shopping mall in Singapore and the cable car gateway to Sentosa.  I must say going to other places is never a problem with your stay at the Marina Bay Sands.

A walk through the spiral bridge right outside the shopping mall leads you to Esplanade.  One of the best hawkers (Singapore's version of turo-turo) is located in this area called Makansutra. If you want to take a break from spending so much within Marina Bay Sands, you can enjoy a good chili crabs paired with fried buns in one of the hawkers in Makansutra minus hefty SGD.

Ultimately, you have never stayed in Marina Bay Sands if you did not see the roof top.  The hotel is very famous for its sky park where an infinity pool is waiting for guests to enjoy.

Although the use of the infinity pool is exclusive to hotel guests, some tourists who pay for 20SGD are allowed to take a sneak peek of this amazing hot spot on top of the hotel.  So expect for spectators while you enjoy the pool, exclusive yet public.

I had a chance to enjoy breakfasts and lunches from hotel, and the food were superb.  Except from one chicken dish cooked in some Indian spice that I really did not like, everything specially the seafood dishes were great. 

Marina Bay Sands Hotel truly is grand in every square meter.  You can easily spend your money within the perimeter of the hotel.  It being one of the hottest destinations in Singapore, expect the place for tons of people, guests and non guests.  The hotel actually reminds me of Venetian in Macau (not to mentioned there is a gondola type ride inside the hotel too).  Like the Venetian, despite its grandeur, you will probably miss the warmth of other five star hotels like the Marriott or Hilton.  The service feels so mechanical and impersonal.  At  some point in time you might realize you are just one of the people that goes in and out the hotel.   Overall, Marina Bay Sands is a pricey hotel that you should consider checking in at least once, there isn't much compelling reason to stay in this big hotel after a night or two.  I think the hotel is way too pricey compared to other 5-star hotels in this wonderful, clean and efficient city.

Mat-Cha!

I suddenly craved for milk tea.  It's 30 minutes before 12 midnight and I am home sweet home in Malolos where milk tea cafes do not exist.  With some stocks at home I attempted to do my own version.  Surprisingly it does taste like those Taiwan milk teas.

Here is my own version of mat-cha:

• Simple syrup 1:1 cup of sugar and water. 
• 4 tea bags of Oolong tea  boiled in one liter of water
• skim milk dissolved from a portion of still warm brewed tea
• grass jelly an alternative sinkers since I don't have tapioca pearls

I used my beer mug to create my concoction :-) filling half of it with still warm freshly brewed Oolong tea.  Then I mixed in about 3 tablespoon of skim milk and about 4 tablespoon of simple syrup.  I don't have a shaker so I just stirred it well before adding the grass jelly and ice until the glass is almost filled.

I am calling it mat-cha - 맛차 short for 맛있다 (mashitta) + 차 (cha).  In Korean, mashitta means delicious and cha is tea so mash-cha would mean delicious tea.

Fast facts:  Koreans are fond of combining two words to coin a new one.  Namchin is from the word 남자 (namja) + 친구 (chingu).  Namja is man and chingu is friend where 'namchin' is coined to mean boyfriend.  So with 여자 (yoja) meaning woman, 여친 (yochin) therefore is girlfriend.

Big Bang is Coming to Manila

Finally after all those K-POP boy and girl groups who came, the biggest is coming over in Manila this October 24, 2012.  Big Bang (빅뱅) is performing here in the Philippines for the very first time and I am so excited about it! Not to mention it will be at the Arena in MOA.  They are the only group (aside from 2NE1) that I am continuously following since I discovered their music.

Big Bang is really going global this time.  Most of the time  before or after launching an album they do stage concerts but usually just in Korea and Japan but I guess after winning the 2011 MTV Europe's best world wide act for their song 'Tonight', they are ready to face their international fans and I am so glad they have included Philippines in their Alive World Tour itinerary.

I started to listen to Korean music way back 2007 with songs from Se7en and Wheesung.  Big Bang is the first boy group that I have ever truly liked amongst the bunch of Korean Pop (KPOP) idol groups and it all started when I saw a video clip of their performance of Fool's Only Tears at the SBS Inkigayo.  Up until now, it's one of my most favorites from Big Bang they never fail to sing it during their concerts like the one below:





Since then I started collecting their album, watching their performances online and 2010 I got to watch them live from the Olympic Theater in Seoul for the YG Family Concert.  It was totally a very new experience in watching concerts with all the lights and LED display.   The theater was full of energy, I must say the Koreans are great viewers and fans.

I like that they have a flavor of R&B and Hip Hop in their music.  While initially they are being criticized from not looking the typical 'pretty boys' as the other boy groups seem to be, I thought they all looked cool and they were so different from the rest of the KPOP boy groups. 




Their two most recent albums are showing a different side of their music and I am super loving it.  Their single 'Tonight' from their Big Bang Special Edition mini album in 2011 sealed the international recognition for their existence and their last album Alive instantly made the 3 released singles certified hits.

I can't wait for October to come.  I would really go for that front seat this time.  I can't thank YG enough for bringing Big Bang here in the Philippines.  빅뱅 너무 좋아요!

Note:  Videos are not mine, credit goes to those who own it.