www.littlenars.com | Dianne Peña

Everybody wants to be fit, healthy and sexy. For most, it’s a known fact that beauty is measured by your weight. As cliché as it may sound, it’s really “THIN IS IN” but less do people know that its not always the case. Most of us are weight conscious but we don’t do anything about it (or at times only get depressed by it).

About 4 months ago, my life as a bummer started after I have passed the Nursing Licensure Exam. My life is so sedentary that I recently noticed that my clothes especially my shorts and parts were not in its perfect fit on my body or waist shall I say. One indication that I am gaining weight. I mean, I am eating the same but I am being less active and less productive. I had breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner and midnight snack for 1 day (yeah, LARGE frequent feedings. LOL),we always have “Fastfood Friday” in our home and a night out with friends that all we do is to drink, laugh, sing and dance a little. So most probably, I deserve the weight and the figure I have now.

The remedy for the aforementioned dilemma is not a work-out, exercise and diet  (yes, I got time but got no one to do it with plus, enrolling to a gym needs $$$ , which apparently, I dont have. Poor me LOL) but a deceiving clothes and picture pose and angles trick. I wear clothes that are mostly layered, which can cover-up the “flabs” and make wacky poses when there’s picture taking. What a remedy right? Hmmm…

Last October 23, 2009, Del Monte Fit ‘n Right launched its newest campaign Dare to be Fit ‘N Right in Taste Asia at the SM Mall of Asia. The Dare to be Fit ‘N Right launch featured the revolutionary F.I.T workout by sports scientist and Master Coach Jim Saret. Coach Saret.

If burning calories is difficult, gaining them is as easy as putting on a pair of shoes—the combination of a fastfood sandwich, large fries, a cup of ice cream and a large glass of soda is equal to 2,300 calories.

The F.I.T Workout or the Fast Interval Training is a four-minute workout that makes you burn at least 400 calories and continues to burn even when you’re done with the workout! Plus, you don’t have to be a gym buff to enjoy the workout. It doesn’t require much space and equipment. It’s scientific, very visual, designed for non-athletes, with measurable results and it’s easy!

And, if you partner your F.I.T workout with your Fit ‘n Right fruit juice drink, you’ll see faster results for Del Monte Fit ‘N Right contains the breakthrough L-Carnitine that helps burn fat and B Vitamis 1, 6, 12 that help speed up metabolism.

I think most of us complains of gaining weight easy but loosing weight the heaviest task on earth but with that great information above, We (bummers who are sedentary) have HOPE indeed. LOL! With that, I planned to cut down my meals, try out this 4-minute miracle work-out and of course drink Del Monte Fit ‘n Right (I love Fit ‘n Right Four Seasons flavor–Mum gets pissed when we she discovered we consumed her Fit ‘n Right)

But, the F.I.T. Workout is only the beginning. Running is arguably the popular sport these days. Del Monte Fit ‘N Right continues its commitment in promoting a healthy lifestyle with the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right culmination fun run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. Official race call time is at 4 AM and Gun Start is 6AMin front of SM MOA Music Hall.

The 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, among others, through the SM Foundation.

For a registration fee of P300, runners can get their race packet with the Dare to Fit ‘n Right Fun Run singlet, race bib, Fit ‘N Right products, etc. Interested participants can register at the following areas:

• CEMG Office – Unit 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City/ Look for Marianne Tapales (892.5842/09155498282)
• Dare to be Fit ‘n Right booths in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig and in selected SM Hypermarkets: Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA
• Fitness First branches on November 16, 2009.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners from each division will win P10, 000, P5, 000 and P3, 000, respectively. All registered runners will also automatically qualify for the raffle, where they can win a Lenovo laptop.

Registration period is from October 21 to November 16, 2009. Late registrants will be charged additional P100.

Since, I haven’t attended any run for a cause event, my friends and I plans to join this cause because not only we can help but also we can loose those tremendous calories/fats stuck in our bellies. LOL! So see you on the race?:))

Look out for event posters and flyers or visit the Fit ‘n Right Facebook page

The Dare to be Fit ‘n Right is co-presented by SM.

Dare to be fit and right with Del Monte Fit ‘N Right!

Cooking is one chore that a woman needs to know and know how. Well, unfortunately for me, I only mastered cooking Pancit Canton (yeah, really! Ask my family about it. Haha).

I am guilty, Guilty of just LOVING EATING. (Well, who doesn’t right?)

Last October 24, 2009, Doña Elena Cuisinera Club sponsored the first Celebrity Cook –off Challenge held at Annabel’s Restaurant at T. Morato Quezon City. Some bloggers, other media, chefs, and Cuisinera Club loyal members were ale to witness the said event filled with new knowledge and excitement.

The competition was between two teams composed of 1 chef adviser, 2 cuisinera club members, 1 member from the media and 1 celebrity guest. The 2 teams battled in preparing a nutritious and delicious dish/meal using the new Doña Elena Pure Olive oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil as well as other Doña Elena products.

The celebrity quests were Gladys Reyes and Bernadette Allison. Ms. Bernadette Allison’s team won the contest.

Since Doña Elena advocates the use of Olive Oil, I would like to give some “nice-to-know” facts about Olive Oil:

• Pure Olive oil is used for frying or when it involves heating
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best used for fresh food preparation example are salads
• Organic olive oil is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that may protect you against illnesses.
• Protect You from Heart Disease
• Promote Healthy Digestion
• Balance the Fatty Acids in Your Body
• You can re-use the Olive Oil as long as you use it for the same ingredient meaning (fish with fish, chicken with chicken) and with proper storage.

Cuisinera Club aim to encourage and teach cuisineras easy ways on achieving a healthier lifestyle through better nutrition, which can be achieved by using olive oil in their daily cooking. Be member! You can also visit their Facebook account.

Well as for my cooking, GOOD LUCK TO THAT. Hahaha:D

This blog post is solely dedicated to Congratulate my brother, Jeric Peña (Brinknotes Entertainment Daily Podcast) for winning Best Podcast at the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards.

Brinknotes—- I don’t know why all his websites were named that way. I think he bought the entire “dots” that can be affixed to Brinknotes but WTH My BROTHER Won!

Few weeks back, I received a fortune cookie message twice…

Well, finally Facebook has  predicted something right for me…

He really deserved it. He deserves this recognition (though he’s not into that —humbled).

He was podcasting for years and take note, at the early age (please refer to my mum’s “emo” blog post here. LOL). He had been a finalist for two consecutive years and now, his moment has arrived.

Our mum almost cried at the Gateway escalator when we heard the GREAT news. We weren’t able to attend the event though, I was really prepared to attend it due to my brother’s academic stuff.

Philippine Blog Awards is not just any other award giving body, it is like the FAMAS of the world wide web in the Philippines. I mean, its nationwide and that is definitely HUUUGE!

Honestly, I don’t listen to his podcast episodes (he also doesn’t want us to listen to it. How Ironic right?) But I can see and hear him recording it (mind you, it’s not that easy). To be awarded and recognized with something you love to do I think is the best gift ever.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN BRO!:D

and to the other winners…

P.S
One Proud Ate you got here. )

SALAMAT.
THANK YOU.

There are 2 kinds of definition for this word.

A denotative meaning of the word is here.

The connotative meaning, I think, depends on each of us. On the other note, I ask, does it have a meaning if we don’t really “really” use it?

Thank You, for me, is a word (actually, Its a SENTENCE. A complete sentence.) soooo simple that it became an understatement and has lost its sincerest meaning. I am convicted— so to speak for not giving it for the simplest reason that helped me pass through a day.

On the other note, if you use THANK YOU more often, will it lose its meaning as well? Look at its transition as the world evolves…

THANKS… Thanx… Thnx… Tnx… TY..

What can you say???

Well, I honestly will run out of text character (if there’s a limit like Twitter. LOL) just to name each person, each thing, each moment that are making my life in its homeostasis right now.

Headed by Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone, the 2nd National Thank You Day on October 20, 2009 aims to bring people together to honor extraordinary and inspirational people in the Philippines who deserve to be shown the sincerest appreciation.

In coordination, Rep. Rep. Cynthia Villar (Lone District, Las Pinas City) proposed the declaration of the 20th day of October every year as a “National Thank You Day.” Stated in House Bill 5466.

Sign the petition here.

(photo by Philos)

If you like the photo, you might want to vote for us here.

Click here and here for my THANK YOU blog post.

Join Toblerone as they celebrate National Thank You Day on October 20, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Ironic how we need this “National Thank You Day” just so we can have a “real” reason or purpose for saying the 2 most simple words known to man, THANK YOU. Do we really need it?

Go on… Say it… It can change the world. :]

P.S
I said Thank You to a friend one time and he said, “For what?” Well… that made me uncomfortable for saying it. LOL! Maybe its one of the reason why we don’t say it often, we think its OK.

Dessert time becomes unforgettable once again as Red Ribbon introduces a cake that’s sure to leave a deliciously memorable dessert experience…

Bloggers have the chance to taste this outrageously delicious cake from Red Ribbon first hand…

(Well, this was my 1st blogging event together with other mom bloggers, oooppss… don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT A MOM. LOL! I just accompanied my mom since she’s also invited to the said event…)

Red Ribbon said, LET THERE BE LIGHT…

and there was…

THE NEW WHITE FOREST CAKE from RED RIBBON

White Forest cake was inspired by the crowd favorite Black Forest. It is made with 4 super rich ingredients:

• Creamy white chocolate
• Light and Moist White Chiffon Cake
• Real Cherry Bits filing in between layers
• White Chocolate flakes

White Forest is crowned with beautiful cream rosettes with luscious long-stemmed, red maraschino cherries on top. It is also enrobed in and generously finished with white chocolate shavings.

When had the first taste of it, I was delighted with the rich taste of cherries incomparable to other cherry-flavored cakes. You’ll definitely love this new cake perfect for any kind of occasions and is superbly suitable to the Filipino’s sweet tooth.

A lovely way to bond with your family is over a slice of White Forest cake ONLY from Red Ribbon. Visit any Red Ribbon branch today or call 8-77-77 and have it delivered. It is available in Regular (P560.00), Junior (P335.00) and Slice (P56.00) sizes.

Oh, and by the way, we, bloggers had the chance to watch the rough TV Commercial of White Forest which will be aired on September 23 (I think. haha).

Texas Roadhouse Grill, the first modern Western saloon in the Philippines, boasts of an extensive grill menu consisting of juicy imported U.S. steaks, tender ribs and chops, ocean-fresh seafood, all-time favorite chicken dishes and more.

Yehey gave bloggers a chance to dine in this great restaurant and served us with this delicious and mouth-watering dishes:

Whet your appetite with  Jessie James Sampler (P375.00) as a starter. It is a combination of Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Spicy Chicken (which I definitely love) and Fish Fillet. Together with 3 dips for each in which you can choose from. As for me, this appetizer will make you stuffed already.

The Great Ribeye (P1,100.00)- the most sought-after in the menu, is a mouth-watering 10-ounce certified US steak. Steaks are prepared the way you like it: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well and well done. Whatever your preference is, meats are guaranteed to be tender and juicy. Side dishes include a combination of any of the following: Fresh steamed veggies, Corn on the Cob, Texas Rice or French Fries. Actually, 3 persons can share with this serving. HUGE!

Other hefty option is the Shrimp and Salmon Skewers (P420.00)- It is served with 3 sticks of salmon skewers and shrimp squeezed atop with lemon together with Texas rice and assorted veggies as a side dish.

You might want to finish your delectable meal with their sinfully delicious dessert which include their famous Mighty Oreo Mud Pie (P220.00)- It is an ice cream slash cake all in one. It is composed of 3 layers, 1st with coffee flavored ice cream, 2nd with chocolate and bits of caramel and 3rd with an Oreo cookie based, which is the best part of the dessert. This dessert is fun to share with 2 to 3 friends. You will personally enjoy sharing it as I enjoyed mine.

If you do like the ambiance of Westernized-Rodeo-Cowgirl/boy feeling, you will definitely get the good vibe and great food all in one stop. Throughout the restaurant, you’ll see framed cowboy photos, leather boots and other cowboy decor complemented by the warm lighting of lonestar lamps that make the place an inviting and cozy urban oasis to kick up ‘yer boots for lunch, snacks, dinner or drinks.

What’s more is that, there’s a bar that serves a wide array of drinks including its signature premium hand-shaken Silver Star Margarita. Its beer bucket is a steal at P260 for 6 local beers available all-day, all-night. There is also, where you can find their smoking area.

Come and dine at Texas Roadhouse Grill in El Pueblo, Ortigas Center and Bonifacio High Street Bldg. 1. Open hours (Sundays to Thursdays) are from 11 AM to 12 MN and (Fridays and Saturdays) from 11 AM to 2 AM.

Contact Numbers:
El Pueblo Branch : 635-6715 to 16
Bonifacio High Street Branch: 856-1547 to 48

Super Bowl of China never runs out of super treats for their valued costumers because after releasing their new dishes last December 2008, Superbowl is offering now another batch of delicious and exciting dishes starting TODAY, July 1, 2009.

Introducing their new delectable dishes starting of with:

Golden Weave Cut US Frozen Potatoes with Minced Pork (P150)- comprised of premium basket weave cut US Frozen Potatoes packed with lean ground pork meat and deep fried to a golden brown crisp. As I have observed, Super Bowl of China not only offered Chinese dishes but is also offering American dishes starting this July.

Beef Fillet Chinese Style (P260)- it is an old Super Bowl of China favorite that is now making a comeback, which comprises of a tender and succulent beef steak atop a bed of red and green bell peppers and onion bathed in sweet, tasty Beijing sauce.

Crispy Fish Fillet with Lemon and Plum Sauce (P240)- it is a whole breaded fish fillet, combined with minced vegetables and selected spices for an extremely flavorful dish. This dish is soused with spicy plum and lemon sauce that ill surely give fish lovers a delight.

Last but not the least, my favorite of all four (4) new dishes, Hot and Spicy Chicken (P250)- is a tender and juicy cuts of seasoned bone-in chicken fried to a golden brown crisp and mixed with onions, bell peppers and secret spices.

So there you have it, Super Bowl of China’s new dishes for you to enjoy.

But wait, Super Bowl is not done yet with their new offers, they also introduced us to their fun foodie mascots:

Super Happi- blessed with a heightened sense of smell

Super Lucky- with a finely tuned and hypersensitive palate

I wonder if they are now catering for birthday parties. LOL!:]

By the way, they also have their new menu card released also starting this July for you to choose other dishes (new and old time favorites) from.

I’m so glad that Yehey treated us, bloggers since I am now a bum and got nothing else to do… LOL!

Thank You Yehey and Super Bowl of China (SM Mall of Asia)!!!:]

I am always a fan of SLIPPERS or FLIPFLOPS as everybody would refer it to…

My mom as well as my brother, Jeric would always catch my attention whenever I am on my slippers whenever we go out and I would just say “Ok lang yan, uso kaya…”

It was 2007 when FLIPFLOP CRAZE arise (as far as I am oriented…:]]) and one of the most Famous brand was HAVAIANAS… (I actually have 2 pairs of them…:])

Sadly, Piracy and Imitations are very rampant due to its high price and increasing demand…

A truly original brand, Havaianas prides itself on its integrity and originality. It has essentially grown to become the style icon to symbolize the ease and comfort of fashion; its authenticity, anchored on its heritage of comfort and durability, is a fact that can only be experienced by the wearer and can never be replicated by any other brand. And whether it’s dressed up or dressed down, classic and basic or bright and bold, it has struck a chord among the fashionable set that cannot erased.

It championed innovation in terms of comfort and durability with its secret rubber formula, the same one that is still used to produce the pairs we know today.

In partnership with Rock Ed, a youth oriented, non-profit organization that encourages and supports alternative education, Havaianas asked the invitees, “Are You Original?” and donated 470 pesos for every pledge made for originality in support of Rock Ed’s Original Grant—a project designed to encourage socio-civic support from the youth. The amount of 470 pesos is based on the age of Havaianas, which was born 47 years ago in the sunny shores of Brazil.

Parties interested in receiving the Original Grant can send their original project ideas to myidea@rockedphilippines.org on or before April 4, 2009. The grant is open to individuals or groups aged 13 to 32 years old. The project ideas must be youth-involved and youth-targeted, and will be judged on their originality, social relevance, impact on the intended beneficiary and the votes that they garner on rockedoriginalgrant.multiply.com. There will be multiple recipients of the grant, from three different divisions: high school, college and professional.

Pledge your support for all things original: original thought, original works, and original creations at www.havaianasphilippines.com/original.

I am ORIGINAL because…. I don’t know why. LOL !:]]

Summer is sooooo HERE!
Heat is penetrating every cell in our body…
Our sweat gland is so active that we are at risk for DEHYDRATION…
Oh well… Worry No More Because

TANG FRUIT TEAZ

is here to replenish our lost fluids due to the hot weather…

It is available with 5 (Five) different flavors which are:

It also comes in litro and big packs…

What’s more fun is that you can mix and match them all depending on your taste…

TANG Fruit Teaz is the catalyst that brings together the Filipino youth in becoming experimental, creative, and out-of-the ordinary…

But wait there’s more…

Vacation is here and so teens are very much vulnerable to BOREDOM even with the vast number of entertainment options available to them…

And so….

Teazperiments, the very first user-generated online youth show from TANG Fruit Teaz, Filipino tweens now have a better option of beating boredom with clean and fun experiments.

This teazperiment localizes the internationally-growing flash mob fad where a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse – leaving the audience amazed by the performance. Tweens can judge the most fun and creative teazperiment presentation by voting online.

You and your friends/organization/school could think of a mob and join Teazperiements by logging on to www.teazperiments.com

P.S
One of my favorite mob was from the movie STEP-UP 2 where in a dance crew do a mob(dancing) inside a train… They are so good and it’s soooo cool…:]]

After my long day of duty as an Occupational Health Nurse (it’s just a “make-believe” LOL!), I immediately went straight to Trinoma because Yehey! treated the bloggers at SuperBowl of China… What a nice thing right? YEHEY!

The most important element of Super Bowl of China— Chinese food —-has enjoyed a long history of success in the Philippine setting. Dishes like Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef with Broccoli, Crispy Fried Chicken, Lemon Chicken, and Yang Chow Fried Rice have long endeared themselves to the Filipino palate. And so, SuperBowl of China introduced their new dishes beginning December 1, 2008 which are:

Crispy Mandarin Chicken- it is made of fried boneless chicken fillets drenched in mildly spiced Chinese Sauce, and served with Taiwan petchay on the side. This is my favorite of all the dishes served. Yummy!

Lechon Macau- it is a deep-fried crispy pork belly cutlets seasoned with select Chinese spices and served with Hoisin sauce on the side.

Seafood Chopsuey- it is cooked with assorted garden fresh vegetables with black and mixed mushrooms sautéed with fish fillet, shrimp, and other seafood. This is the dish I saw being prepared.

For the dessert, they have Tao Sa Pao. It is a sweet treat of fried siopao dough with black bean cream filling.

We also had a tour at their kitchen, meet their chefs and observe how their prepare these delicious dishes. There’s also a contest in which you will design your own bowl and here’s mine:

It’s good that they offer dishes which caters to all kinds of food eaters whether they are meat or pork lovers or vegetarians.

The most important element of Super Bowl of China— Chinese food —-has enjoyed a long history of success in the Philippine setting. Dishes like Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef with Broccoli, Crispy Fried Chicken, Lemon Chicken, and Yang Chow Fried Rice have long endeared themselves to the Filipino palate.

Don’t forget to try these new and exciting dishes at your favorite SuperBowl of China AKA Big Buddha restaurants. They are located at the 2nd level Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City; 3rd Level Chefs Avenue Festival Mall, Alabang; 2nd level SM City North Edsa, Quezon City; 3rd level Gateway Mall Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City; Ground floor SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City; M1 Activity Center Trinoma Mall North Edsa, Quezon City; Ground floor Midtown Wing of Robinsons Place Manila; Ground floor Bluewave Marquinton Mall, Marikina City; and at the affiliated Big Buddha Restaurant located at the 2nd level of Greenbelt 3 in Ayala Center, Makati City. And watch out for the Grand Reopening of Super Bowl of China at the 4th level of SM Megamall’s newest wing in Mandaluyong City coming very soon!

But wait, there’s more!

Super Bowl of China also delivers. Just dial their Super Delivery Hotline 737-8888 for Super Chinese Food Delivery of delicious meals, hot and fresh in mechanically sealed and hygienic microwaveable containers.