SMDC-EATS: FOOD CHOICES FOR CONDO DWELLERS

When we bought a lot in QC and 5 years later, decided to build a house,  it was an informed decision.  I would like for my family to have a traditional 2-storey house, with a garden.  Of course, we were lucky, that we chose a spot that still has a view, even if it was situated in a highly congested city.  Ten years later, I am still happy with our decision. The single detached home with my organic garden enabled us to care for 2 dogs and 4 cats. The only downside to it -- without a helper, cleaning becomes tedious hahaha!

So I will be honest, when I tell you, that the idea of transferring to a condo passed by my thoughts.  The idea of a smaller space to clean seems to be very ideal.

As I see it, here are some of the things that condo dwellers enjoy:

 

>>  less space = less things to hoard. This is our family's weakness. Because we have such a large space, we hoard and hoard and hoard. We kept on holding on to things, that seriously, we can let go. Hays...

>>  if you have outgrown the condo, it easier for you to have it rented out. 

>>  accessibility to amenities:  swimming pool, gym, play area and places to EAT. 

Hey!  Did I just say, places to eat?  Where I live, its either, we cook (once a week we need to go to the market or go to the grocery 15 minutes away for ingredients), drive or commute to eat out or call for delivery.

But when you live in a condo -- chances are -- eateries could just be an elevator away. That is what I experienced when I was invited to SMDC-Eats!

SMDC-Eats! 

We checked out two SM Development Corporation's projects in Quezon City -- M Place at South Triangle and Mezza 2 Residences in Aurora Blvd. We experienced 3 interesting dining spots to visit that satisfied our cravings. 

HONGKONG ROASTING

If you are a fan of Chinese food, then go visit HongKong Roasting at M Place.  We were treated for a late lunch of Lechon Macau, Peking Duck with Yangchow Fried Rice. Between the two, I enjoyed the Lechon Macau more.  Crispy to the bite and I liked that it is thinly sliced, so as not to overwhelm the palate with the flavor of pork.  To wash down the pork and the duck -- we were served the most refreshing Cucumber Lemon Drink.  This drink is worth another trip back to HongKong Roasting.  

HEALTHY RECIPE FOR THE LENTEN SEASON

The Lenten season has officially started... with ash Wednesday falling on the same day as Valentines Day.  So... instead of going out to celebrate Valentines Day -- and be tempted to eat beef, chicken and pork -- we just stayed home and cooked something healthy.

MRS.WISE's UNI-PAK MACK & CHIPS

Because LOVE is in the air -- why not LOVE your body as well!  Feed it with something healthy.

Did you know that MACKEREL has some awesome health benefits?  If you include this type of fish in your weekly diet... 

 

>>>  it can boost your immunity

>>>  lower cholesterol levels

>>>  improve bone mineral density

>>>  improve cognition

>>>  and mommies... you will like this -- it can help in weight loss!

Oily fish like mackerel are said to help in cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, age-related vision loss and dementia. It is a good source of vitamin D, some B Vitamins and selenium. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that is good for health.

INGREDIENTS:

(2) 425 grams, UNI-PAK Mackerel

(6) cloves garlic

(2) medium size eggs

      cooking oil

      salt and pepper to taste

LOVE YOUR HAIR THIS VALENTINES DAY

For women in their 40's, you may have noticed changes in your hair.  It may have gone thinner, drier, brittle and worst -- you may have developed bald spots, also known as alopecia.

A few years back, I suffered this problem. Sadly, my dermatologist said, that the main culprit was STRESS.

When you are in your 40's dear mommies... the question now... how do you manage stress?  Admittedly, I worry a lot that results to stress.  Things like -- college funds, finding the ideal school for my teens, negative news, etc.  But I know I have to manage stress -- for my health's sake!

TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS:  

Exercise regularly.  It doesn't have to be too strenuous. I enjoy leisurely walk. Or if I go to events, I make it a point to include walking as part of my commuting journey.

 

Keep a positive attitude and learn how to relax.  There are many things to achieve this. For me, I read inspirational books and watch movies that touch the heart. Looking at photos of our travels also help me relax. I make digital collage/movies of my teens when they were still babies, and it brings smile into my day.  And yes... cuddling my pets make me calm.  And gardening too.  When you are in your 40's, you have to find things and hobbies that you truly enjoy, as your time with your teens are lessened.  

Eat a healthy balanced diet.  Your body needs nutrition to fight off stress.  No to alcohol and smoking please -- it will only destroy your body and make you ugly and old  (hahaha!)

HEALTHY MIND, LESS STRESS = HEALTHY HAIR

So over the years, I have learned to manage stress, and thankfully, my alopecia is gone. The next hair problem that I tried to manage is hair fall.

In your 40's and beyond, a bad hair day can turn into bad hair years if you let it. Certain hormonal factors like lower estrogen can contribute to lackluster hair, making you miss the gorgeous hair of your teens. However, you don't have to accept that hair thinning and dryness just "comes with age".

I maintain a healthy scalp by lessening the effect of shampoo. I shampoo every other day. And I choose shampoo that is organic and with no harsh chemical.  I also massage my scalp with natural oil, once a week.  They say that your scalp is like a "topsoil". The healthier the topsoil, the better the grass will grow.  Interesting huh?

I also avoid the hair drier and curling iron. Excessive heat can damage hair. Especially, my hair type -- fine strands that easily breaks.

Support hair growth by eating the right food. Protein-rich eggs, dark leafy greens with iron, citrus fruits for Vitamin C, fruits and veggies rich in Vitamin A (like carrots) and Vitamin E (Avocado) and fish, nuts and seeds for Omega-3.

LASTLY, CHOOSE NATURAL PRODUCTS:

You might want to try Novuhair -- nature's answer to hair loss.  Some of the natural ingredients that it contains are:  ginger, aloe vera, ginseng and lemongrass.  

For my other articles on my #NovuhairJourney, you may read and here .

CONFESSION OF A WATER ADDICT: KRIS AQUINO

Last Jan 29 -- I was invited to the contract signing and and press launch of Kris Aquino's latest endorsement -- Healthy Purified Water.  

The Queen of all Media was extremely happy to be endorsing this product, because she is a self-confessed water addict.  Watch the video, and discover how much water she drinks daily and while at work!

WHAT MRS.WISE HEARD FROM KRIS:

1.  She swears that drinking lots of healthy and purified (not distilled) water, makes her healthy, hydrated, and her skin -- glowing.  So Healthy Family Purified water is the perfect product for her.

2.  She reiterated the value of being hydrated. Not only when you are sick -- but on a daily basis.  She "talks for a living" that's why she needs water to keep her throat hydrated.

3.  If a mother sets a good example -- in her case, in taking the required 8-12 glasses of water everyday (sometimes she exceeds this number), chances are... the kids will also also develop the habit of drinking water.  Both of her kids show the same water-drinking habit.

BUT IN REALITY:

Mrs.Wise is the kind of person who doesn't agree easily. I like to do my research, and be well informed in various subjects.   

So I went the extra mile, and did some research.  And guess what I found out. In other countries -- there is such a thing as water addiction, and they are called Aquaholics.  After reading several articles in the internet this is what I found out:

Excessive consumption of water can lead to a condition known as Hyponatraemia (water intoxication), in which levels of sodium in the blood become dangerously diluted leading to complications such as convulsions, coma and even death.

HOW MUCH WATER IS HEALTHY

Experts say, that a person should drink between 1.5 to 2 liters of water everyday.  The absolute minimum is one liter -- which is calculated on the basis that we lose about 100ml of water breathing, 500ml sweating and about 500ml through urine. Very interesting info.

You should also take into consideration, water intake through fruits, vegetables and other food. Eating healthy can give us as much as a liter of water daily.

For a long time, we say that coffee and tea are diuretic, and it will flush out liquids from your body. Kris believes in this, that is why for every cup of coffee she drinks, she also drinks equal amount of water.  BUT - this will come as a surprise, in the recent study of the American College of Nutrition revealed "coffee drinkers had the same levels of hydration as those who stuck to water."  Hmm.... good news for all those caffeine lovers :)

AND DOES WATER REALLY MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW?

There was an experiment conducted abroad, involving twins. Both underwent hair and skin analysis before the one began drinking an extra two liters of water a day. The other twin continued to her normal half pint of water, plus coffee and tea.  After one month, the analysis were repeated and doctors found no significant difference.

Bottomline -- for her glowing skin, I think Kris should thank her genes more than her water consumption  :)    Mga beshies.... wag agad agad tumakbo sa tindahan para pakyawin ang tubig at laklakin ok?

LASTLY, MRS.WISE WOULD LIKE YOU TO:

Always seek information. You can browse the internet or talk to doctors. Don't believe easily what media feeds you.  And --- always do everything in moderation. I think that is the most important point.

Don't get me wrong, I also believe in the health benefits of drinking the right amount of water.  That means, I will have to add up on my water intake. Because I do not consume the average of 1.5 to 2 liters per day. Sad.... 

MRS.WISE AFTER THOUGHT:

And another thing -- I was really puzzled why Manila Water Solutions got involved in the packaged water business.  They are affiliated with Manila Water Company, a company that provides water treatment, water distribution, sewerage and sanitation services to more than 6 million people in the eastern side of Metro Manila. From the way I see it, they should provide healthy to drink tap water - by ensuring the public of clean pipes and water source. Isn't that the main job?  And not to go into the business of bottled purified water -- as a solution of what is believed to be non potable water from the faucet.  Hmmm... just thinking...



Like this post?  Follow me on IG for more interesting story :)  itsmemrs.wise

MRS.WISE HORTIKULTURA 2018 EXPERIENCE

We all have fascinations and hobbies. One of the things that I like to focus my energy on is urban gardening. I get fascinated with veggies, flowers, herb, fruit trees -- anything and everything I an plant in my little backyard garden. I get excited when after a few months of sowing, watering, putting organic fertilizer and giving my garden some TLC  (yes guys, this includes talking to them, begging them to please give some worthy harvest or getting angry with all the pests and bugs that infest my alagas) - I can finally enjoy my "garden to table" rewards!

WHY MRS.WISE GOES TO HORTIKULTURA EVERY YEAR:

1. To update myself on the what's new with urban gardening.  This year, I liked the URBAN EDIBLE LANDSCAPE ideas presented, especially the vertical landscaping. Its very ideal for those with limited space at their homes, but would want to go into gardening.

2.  Flowers make me happy.  Just by looking at them I feel refreshed.  For 2018, would like to start continue filling my shelves with colorful blooms.  As of this writing, I only have amaryllis to boast of  :)

WHY YOU SHOULD ALL VISIT HORTIKULTURA FILIPINA 2018:

1.  Take IG-worthy photos on the Tropical Garden and Quezon Avenue Promenade

2.  Learn more about hobbies that could also be a sideline or business for you:  Bonsai, Succulents, Flower Arranging, Dish Gardening and Ikebana or the Japanese art of flower arranging.

BONSAI

 SUCCULENTS

DISH GARDENING

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT ENTRIES

IKEBANA

3.  Bring your kids to meet some poisonous frogs and a two-headed turtle.

4.  Immerse yourselves with interesting plants that can be found in our country: varieties of orchids, pitcher plants and cycads.

PITCHER PLANT

WINNER - BEST IN CYCADS.
Cycads, ancient group of seed plant, known to have a long fossil history.  

5.  Learn more about terrarium and vivarium.

Hortikultura Filipina 2018 runs from February 2-11 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. 

 

HOW LOVE WINS THIS VALENTINES DAY

I am not a romantic person... but I believe in love.  Especially love for my family. And everytime challenges come along the way -- I just have to believe -- and hope that LOVE wins.

For this article let's zero in on husband-wife relationship.  How does love actually win?


Yesterday, February 1, the first day of the love month -- I was invited to the Valentines media launch of Sm Supermalls.  The venue with all things romantic -- balloons, teddy bears, rose petals on the floor -- the event set the mood for what turned out to be - a LOVE day for me.

THE LOVE TALK SHOW

(L-R)  JASON MAGBANUA (Director), COUPLE IN THE #LoveSM VIDEO, MARIBEL DIONISIO (Love Expert), MR. JOYON SAN AGUSTION (Senior VP for Marketing, SM Supermalls)  and MS. GRACE MAGNO (VP for Advertising SM Superalls)

From the Q&A of the panelists -- I learned a lot about love and relationships:


>> On the video that Jason directed for SM - the bride is having doubts and having lots of questions in her mind, on the day of the wedding.  What can I say -- no one can ever really be sure if there's such a thing as FOREVER. But the decision to get married and be committed in the relationship is one big step to forever. Marriage, you just have to work hard for it to last. 

>>  On doubting:  Ms. Maribel mentioned a very important point, for marriage to last -- there should be an open and honest communication between parties. The relationship will not grow, probably get stagnant, if communication is absent

>> Ms. Grace shared one practical love advice. Instead of making tampo if your husband doesn't give you the right gift during occasions, fret not. Wives should find creative ways of giving hints (or if you want just say it out loud) what gift do you want from hubby. That would eliminate the stress on the side of the husband, and frustration on the wife's POV.

>> Make romantic memories together, even if you are married for years. Consider having weekly dates -- without the kids.  This fuels fire into the relationship.