www.littlenars.com | Dianne Peña

Feasts have always been in the hearts of Filipinos. In the same manner, feast comes with food and foods prepared during feasts are extra special. There are many ways to make food served extra special and one of which is to put cheese to it.

Cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients to cook with and there are over 2,000 varieties to choose from. It is also one of the oldest manufactured foods in the world.

On December 14, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum, Kraft Eden Cheese will spearhead another history. Together with Filipino women, Cooking enthusiasts, Kusineros, Chefs and Culinary schools from all over aims to set a new World Record got the most number of dishes made with cheese in a single day. They target to make 5,000 dishes with Eden Cheese as one common ingredient.

In a similar spirit we are enjoined to come together as a nation and mobilize the Filipino gifts of creating, inventing and innovating —to showcase our Filipino food culture. From simple snacks to sophisticated main courses, Kraft Eden cheese products can b relied upon to deliver great-tasting meals by making simple recipes a more palatable one. (I, myself is a living testimony and experienced the magic of Eden Cheese when they launched this event to media last November 7)

Since Christmas is fast approaching and the Christmas spirit can really be felt anywhere you walk in Philippines, I am sure Kraft Eden Cheese will surely be present in our homes— or at least in ours (Mum never forgets to buy “Keso De Bola” for Christmas)

I have always been a fan of sweet plus salty taste present in Filipino Spaghetti, composed of sweet tasting sauce atop with YUMM Eden Cheese makes me come back for another plate.

Be a part of history! Let the miracle of sharing happen once again… Sign-up and contribute your favorite recipe with Kraft Eden Cheese at www.sarapngbuhay.com.

Make your every day a YUMM— Your Ulam Mas Masarap with Kraft Eden Cheese.

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.