Today’s featured budget meal is GotoKing’s Arroz Caldo and Fried Togue all for P110.00.

VERDICT: EAT

I am not feeling well but as they say “when the going gets tough, the tough get going!” So here I am braving another “stormy” day at work and expecting another round of torrential rains in the afternoon based on today’s weather forecast. Because I am feverish, I feel like eating Filipino comfort food like arroz caldo (rice porridge with chicken slices) or champorado (chocolate-flavored rice porridge).

I remember my grandmother would cook her family-famous arroz caldo every time someone in the family fell ill.  I miss Nanay… our go-to Queen. I guess this holds true to most of us Filipinos. It is almost second nature for our lolas (grandmothers) to prepare something soupy for their sick apos (grandchildren). And to us,  a sip of that sumptuous miracle soup would almost always somehow magically take away the sickness.

Naimas! (delicious in Ilocano). Stay dry everyone! Signing out for now. Peace!

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Today’s featured budget meal is Jollibee’s Breakfast Shanghai. For a meager P50.00, this okay meal comes with  three pieces of fried spring rolls, one medium cup of garlic rice and one fried egg.

VERDICT: EAT 
To satisfy my morning appetite, I ordered a cup of pineapple juice (P10.00) and a two-piece pancake a la carte (P50.00) for a total cost of P110.00. That is a full meal at USD 2 only. I must say that this meal is a tummy-filler or what I call in the vernacular “lamang-tyan” or “panawid gutom”.  It is not something that will fancy your sophisticated tastebuds. Manage your expectations, guys! I mean how much meat should one expect from a meal worth P50.00 anyway?

Just the same, I enjoyed my meal. Thanks to Jollibee’s effective mind conditioning over the years with its super relatable TV and online ads. I mean, the heck, despite their meals not having the standard nutritional content guides on the packaging, I still feel good eating whatever that big red bee has to offer. Weird, huh?

Have you tried this budget meal yet? Let me know what you think.

Signing out for now. Peace.

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I have always thought that salted duck egg or “itlog na maalat” in the vernacular was and has always been a Filipino delicacy. It is surprising to know that it actually originated from China. It is made by soaking duck eggs in damp and salted charcoal.

In the Philippines, salted duck eggs are dyed red to distinguish them from fresh ones. A popular method of curing the eggs is through the “Pateros style” whereby the fresh eggs are individually dipped in a cake batter made of clay from anthills and termite mounds, table salt and water. The eggs are then packed in boxes wrapped in newspapers and stored away at room temperature for two weeks. The cured eggs are then cleaned and boiled in low heat for thirty minutes.

I personally love eating “itlog na maalat” with fresh tomatoes, fried fish and super garlic fried rice. I am salivating as I write this. LOL.

Now, there is another way of eating salted eggs: CHIPIPZ Salted Egg Chips! Wow! I get to eat two of my favorites, i.e. potato chips and salted eggs, in one snack! CHIPIPZ has been doing the rounds on Facebook lately and I have been hearing from friends how they love it. I did not want to get left behind so I gave it a taste test on the first episode of “EAT OR EEK?” on my Youtube channel.

https://youtu.be/_T5FAdYLrxk

Have you tasted this newest craze in town yet? Let me know in the comments section. Do give my video a thumbs up and subscribe if you want to see similar videos in the future.

For orders, please text or call 0905-3156600 or visit www.facebook.com/CHIPIPZ

This is it for now. Signing out. Peace!

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salted_duck_egg

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I like BoybandPH’s rendition of Depeche Mode’s “Somebody”. How about you? Put your comments below and click subscribe.

Till next time. Signing out for now. Peace.

Original video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hvtnxds524

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It is of utmost importance that all (men included) take good care of their skin. Let me keep it simple. The basic rule is to cleanse, tone, moisturize and protect. Use products that can do all four while at the same time hydrating the skin.

Hydration is key. Trust products that are dermatologically tested, too. Choose what is good for the skin or what is Hiyang. Hiyang is a Filipino term which means compatible. One’s skin care routine does not have to be tedious. The simpler the better. Consistency, my friend, is the objective. Just do the routine on a daily basis. Remember to consult a dermatologist, too. We have different skin types and the products that I am using may not be suitable for your skin type.

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Last Christmas, I got to spend quality time with my siblings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with minimal costs. It was their treat! See how happy I am in the photo below? Yes, I am blessed to have them. My brother is based in Sharjah and my sister lives in Dubai.

With my siblings at Carrefour in Deira City Center, Dubai.

At Jumeirah Beach Residences’ The Walk which stretches along the beach of the Dubai Marina of the Persian Gulf. 

To shuttle to and fro Sharjah and Dubai, I would take the Dubai Metro. It is still the fastest means of transportation. Taking the cab can be expensive and challenging during rush hour.

Lining up for a taxi in Deira City Center.  

Whenever possible, my sister would drive us all the way to Sharjah. Sometimes, she would let me drive her car, too. Before coming to UAE, I got an International Driver’s License from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). And yes, I got it in a jiffy!

For more information on how to secure an International Driver’s License, visit http://www.aaphilippines.org/products.aspx?pages=international-driving-permit

At the Coral Beach Resort in Sharjah. Me trying to achieve that looking-to-the-horizon-Instagram worthy shot and then the little brother sneaks into the frame.  

It was my first time in UAE and first time to see and swim in the Persian Gulf.

Based on my A1 sources (hehe), I learned that the Persian Gulf is one of the most important bodies of water in the region and, in fact, the world. Located in the heart of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf serves as the primary means of transport for gas and oil from Middle Eastern countries to supply the world’s energy demand. The gulf is thought to contain close to 50% of the world’s oil reserves.

Sources: 

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/persiangulf.htm

https://www.reference.com/geography/bodies-water-middle-east-156523492bcfdd3a#

https://www.reference.com/geography/persian-gulf-located-84afd58a415d267?qo=contentSimilarQuestions

There is another body of water that is closer to home and as important in the world (the universe rather). And that, my friend, is the human body.

Pasok ba sa segue? Pwede na?

The human body is a body of water in that it comprises about 60% water. As it operates, it continuously loses water through sweat and urine. Hence, keeping the body hydrated is vital. Below shows what water can do to keep the body in winning form:

Source: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html

Water helps keep the body oxygenated, skin included being the largest organ.

Just how many glasses of water per day is recommended?

Also known as the Rule of 8, the health authorities’ recommendation is to “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day.” Note that it states fluid and not water. All fluids count toward the daily total. Food and other beverages also contain water.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

My brother enjoying his Japanese Ramen Noodle Soup and a glass of water during his last visit to the Philippines.

Just how big is 8 ounce or 236.588 ml?

Well, during my younger years, an 8 ounce would mean a bottle of a popular soda. This size, I believe, is phased out. Hint. Hint. I am not that young anymore. LOL.

Anyway, the point is, 8 ounce is less than half of the commercially available 500ml bottle. Sisiw!

Photo lifted from http://www.terapeak.com/worth/embossed-coca-cola-classic-chattanooga-tn-8-oz-empty-coke-bottle/322023596141/

In addition, below are the best times to drink water:

• Two glasses of water in the morning after waking up to help activate the internal organs
• One glass of water thirty minutes before a meal to aid in digestion.
• One glass of water before taking a bath to help avoid high blood pressure
• One glass of water before going to bed to help avoid strokes and heart attacks

Source: http://www.lifehack.org/359591/drink-water-the-correct-time-stay-healthy

Talk about timing is everything.

I must admit though that drinking four glasses of water before leaving for work can be challenging. Just imagine being stuck in Manila traffic en route to work and Mother Nature calls. LOL.

Just the same, stay healthy and hydrated. Drink up and keep that good-looking skin!

The upcoming posts will be about the skincare essentials in my Billabong man-bag. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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