And I'm all burned! haha! I just got back from five days of fun fun fun!!! Mark and I, together with my high school friends, went to Boracay for some rest and relaxation last February 6-10.

This much awaited trip was already planned and set as early as November of last year. Mark and I were supposed to book a flight together with the rest of my friends, if not because of the bad service of Cebu Pacific. So there, we didn't have any choice but to book for a flight at a later time.

And so February 6 came, and we're off to Boracay! Woohoooo! Our scheduled flight was at 4PM but we were already at the airport, all set, as early as 1PM haha! We already checked in our baggage and just decided to roam around the place, and of course to take some shots, while waiting for our 3:30PM boarding time. :D

Not being aware of the long walk that we still need to take to get to the boarding area, and being so hooked into taking pictures, we just started to walk to the boarding area at about 3PM. We were walking so lightly and before we knew it, we heard the crew paging our names and asking us to get into the boarding area ASAP! Hahaha! Just imagine how annoyed some of the passengers were upon seeing both of us! Haha! After boarding the plane, we again took another set of photos the moment we got to our seats...:P

And then another shots when we were already flying!

We arrived at the Kalibo Airport after around 45 minutes of flight.

We then took an almost 2-hour ride from Kalibo to the Jetty port in Caticlan, another 5-minute boat ride to the island, and still another 10-15 minute ride to the hotel in Station 1. And then we arrived at the Hannah Hotel just in time for dinner.

More photos HERE :)

Last February 5, The King and his men the Cleveland Cavaliers played the game with lots of disadvantages against the Miami Heat.

Due to the absence of their top two guards Mo Williams and Delonte West. Even they are being crippled by the injuries of their rosters. King James takes on the challenge and responds extremely well by scoring 36 points, 17 from the free throw line, adding eight assists, seven boards and a pair of steals. On the other side Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat scored 24 points and 9 assists. But having a rough night overall.

King James and his Cavalry were too powerful for the Flash and the Miami Heat. Outscoring them in the final quarter 10-3 run and finishing the game with the score of 102-86. The Cavaliers win their season-high 10th straight and 40th overall.

Lebron James attests that he is the defending MVP and recently won the Eastern Conference player of the month for January.

Photo taken from: NBA.com

I've been seeing this Victoria's Secret Chic Weekender bag in online shops.

Photo taken from: http://victoriasecretbags.blogspot.com

It comes in a set with a Classic Bag and a Carry-all Tote.

Photos taken from: http://victoriasecretbags.blogspot.com

I would have bought the set that very moment, but I just really had to control myself since I already bought two VS bags just days before.

Victoria's Secret Handbag     Victoria's Secret LOVE Handbag

I so love my bags! I am a handbag lover and I don't really have much of those big bulky bags. So whenever I would go on an out-of-town trip, I would usually bring along a minimum of three bags: one for my shoes and slippers; one for my clothes, towels and other essentials; and a handbag for my phone, money, and small stuffs. Most of the time, I would still need to have some of my things placed in another baggage (usually my mom's or mark's). :D

Mark also complains (and well yes, I admit I'm guilty of it) that I tend to bring along a lot of things, clothes specifically, even if it's just an overnight trip haha! So even if we were just planning for our Boracay trip, Mark already told me to bring just the right amount of things. He gave me a limit of just 3 footwear, a couple of swimwear, and clothes just enough for a week's vacation. He even warned me that he will not be lending a space in his baggage, and would not even help me carry my things if ever I would bring too much. :P

And so I decided that I should really get at least the Weekender bag, if not the whole set. But just as what I've said in my previous post I wasn't able to find any of it in online shops and in malls. Lucky me, a friend was able to find one for me. And just this afternoon, I finally got it! :D

Victoria's Secret Chic Weekender Bag

I have just finished packing my things for our Saturday trip and was surprised to see that everything fits well in just one bag, not to mention that it still has a lot of room for more. I just love how spacious the bag is! Hmmm...I guess it won't hurt if I bring along 2 more pairs of flip-flops, a couple more swimwear, and a few more clothes! Right, Mark? :D

Time seems to have flown too fast, it’s already February! And in a few days, Kriska and I will be off to Boracay! I’m very excited about it that I sometimes I can’t sleep at night haha!

I can still remember, during my teen years, whenever we would go swimming during summer, I would workout just a week before the trip, thinking that I will immediately have washboard abs. But unfortunately building perfect abs is not like magic.

Having a great midsection will have to take time and knowledge. For those of you who have always been dreaming of having perfect abs, let me share with you my 9 lucky tips:

1) NO TO JUNK FOODS

What you eat is a reflection of what you are. Eating salty snacks, candies, gum, sweets, desserts, fried food, and fast food will give you nothing but a flabby midsection. Eating junk foods all the time will also lead to being overweight and having some health problems. They wouldn't call it 'junk' for nothing at all right?

2) HYDRATE

Drinking sufficient amount water will help you flush out your body's toxins. Enough water intake will make your body functioning to its highest level and will therefore put your metabolism level at its best state.

3) PROPER EXERCISE

Lifting weights combined with cardiovascular exercise will help you gain muscle and burn fat. The more muscles you have, the more your body burns fat even when at rest. Cardiovascular training for 30-60 minutes will raise your metabolism and turn your body fat into energy.

4) EAT RIGHT

Eat healthy foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits, fish and egg. The more healthy food that you eat, the more lean your muscles will become, which avoids storing of unwanted body fats.

5) NEVER EVER SKIP BREAKFAST

Begin your day by eating high protein breakfast. Research shows that eating quality meal in the morning helps regulate blood sugar and improves one's metabolism throughout the day.

6) BE INSPIRED

Find a photograph that inspires you the most and or someone with perfect washboard abs. Place it where you can see it everyday to give you a daily motivation.

7) BE DETERMINED AND BE ON FOCUS

Whatever your waistline looks like don’t lose hope. Always be determined to achieve the perfect midsection. Always think be optimistic and of course, work on it!

8) BE EQUIPPED

Knowledge is Power. Read materials that will broaden your knowledge. The more you know, the better your chances are in developing your midsection into perfection.

9) BREATHE!

Deep breathing will oxygenate the body, which boosts metabolism, which helps fat loss. Proper breathing while doing abdominal exercises is a good way to tighten your abs and helps keep fat at bay.

I've been doing these 9 simple tips through the years which is why I was able to achieve noticeable results:

So what are you waiting for? Go get those muscles burning and be ready to show off those abs!

         
     

Last Friday, Mark and I went to Cash & Carry in Makati to buy some of the things that we'll be needing for our trip this coming Saturday. I've also been wanting to buy a VS weekender bag, which are all sold out in online shops, so even if going to Cash & Carry means that I will have to deal with all the hassles (especially in the MRT), I just gave in to Mark's suggestion since there are a lot of VS products and other imported items there.

But guess what? I really just can't stand all the hassles of having to transfer from one ride to another (not mentioning the volume of people there, the heat, and everything) and I think Mark already knew that I was starting to get pissed off, so, even if we were just a few stations away from the Araneta Station, we went off and took a cab to Makati instead. Haha! :P

We were able to buy the things that we needed, expect for my bag! :( And so we just decided to have lunch. I asked Mark what he wanted for lunch and as always, he just gave me a you-already-know-the-answer-to-that-question grin! Lucky me, there aren't any World Chicken restaurants in Cash & Carry! Whew!

Mark & I are both on a diet so I got really surprised when he said that he wanted to have rice for lunch and suggested that we eat at Reyes Barbecue. At first I thought he was just kidding, but no, he really wanted to have rice for lunch! Hmp!

Mark explained that our body has its own way of adjusting to our food intake. And being on a strict diet for a long period will not yield to good results at all as it will just eventually slow down our metabolism. So even if you're on a strict diet, having a cheat meal at least once a week is still recommended. And well yes, he got me all convinced! Haha!

Mark ordered their Boneless Chicken Barbecue and I got their 2-piece Pork Barbecue. I haven't tried out other meals at Reyes except for their pork or chicken barbecue.  Both meals come with java rice, atchara, and their trademark peanut sauce.

Quarter Chicken Barbecue - Php 120.00

Though not so extraordinary and a little charred, I can say that both taste good. I like how the peanut sauce gave the barbecue its distinct sweet taste. But if you're the type who would usually prefer vinegar for barbecue, their atchara is perfect as it gives the meal a tangy kick. :)

2-piece Pork Barbecue - Php 110.00

Reyes Barbecue
Level 2, Food Circle
Cash & Carry, Makati City

We also ordered fresh buko shake from Buko ni Fruitas to neutralize all the fat intake haha! :P

Fresh Buko Shake (around Php 50.00)

I somewhat felt guilty of having eaten rice for lunch, and since I still want to have something healthy, I ordered Buko ni Fruitas' fresh fruit salad for dessert.. ^_^ They have a variety of salads and halo-halo, but I love their fresh fruit salad the most!

The salad contains fresh fruits like melon, apple, mango, banana, watermelon, pineapple, and coconut, just to name a few, mixed with milk and coconut juice, and served in a coconut shell. There is also no need to put in sugar because of the natural sweetness of the fruits. Now who said that desserts are fattening? :P

Fresh Fruit Salad (around Php 50.00)

Buko ni Fruitas
Level 2, Food Circle
Cash & Carry, Makati City

We then arrived at the Gateway mall in time for dinner. And just when I thought that I have already been spared from Mark's World Chicken addiction, I found myself, eating there again! Hahaha!

Mark opted for baked potatoes, mashed potato and grilled chicken with gravy.

Grilled Chicken with Gravy, Mashed Potato, and Baked Potatoes - Php 152.00

Since I ate too much during lunch, I just opted for cheese muffin instead of fettuccine; potato salad, and grilled chicken with gravy.

Grilled Chicken with Gravy, Potato Salad, and Cheese Muffin - Php 152.00

World Chicken
Level 3, Food Express
Gateway Mall, Araneta Center
Quezon City

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INGREDIENTS, HOW IT WORKS, AND FOOD SOURCES:

Vitamin B12

Functions:
Vitamin B12 is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting the DNA synthesis and regulation but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.

Food Sources:
Vitamin B12 is found in foods that come from animals, including fish and shellfish, meat (especially liver), poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.[29] One half chicken breast provides some 0.3 µg per serving or 6.0% of one's daily value (DV); 3 ounces of beef, 2.4 µg, or 40% of one's DV; one slice of liver 47.9 µg or 780% of DV; and 3 ounces of molluscs 84.1 µg, or 1,400 % of DV.

Source: Wikipedia

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Functions:
Vitamin B1 is needed to release the energy from fats, proteins and carbohydrates so that it can be used by the body. It’s also essential for the nervous system and to keep the heart healthy. Furthermore, this vitamin is essential for growth in children and for fertility in adults.

Food Sources:
Wholegrain cereals, especially bread, fortified breakfast cereals, porridge oats and brown rice, are good sources of vitamin B1. Other foods that contain this vitamin include dairy products, yeast extract, pulses, nuts, seeds, red meat (especially pork) and offal.

Source: Weight Loss Resources

Chromium (Chromium Picolinate)

Functions:
This mineral helps the body process glucose, as well as cholesterol, fats, and proteins. It promotes stable blood sugar levels and sustained energy. Chromium's specific role in the body implies that sufficient levels are necessary for a healthy, natural balance of fats, cholesterol, proteins, and glucose, where food is properly and efficiently metabolized.

Food Sources:
Chromium-rich foods sources, such as brown rice, turkey, fish, cheese, eggs, mushrooms, green beans, and whole grains may not be consumed enough; also, this mineral is difficult for the body to absorb, especially when there are high amount of sugar and white flour products in the diet.

Source: Suite101.com

Pyridoxine

Functions:
As an enzyme pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is required for the production of amino acids. It also functions in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It is needed to initiate the chemical reactions that convert the body's stored glycogen into glucose so that it can be turned into a source of energy.

Food Sources:
Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods including fortified cereals, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. Ready-to-eat cereal that is 100 percent fortified provides all of the daily value for B6. The four foods that naturally contain the most B6 are potatoes (35 percent), bananas (34 percent), garbanzo beans (30 percent), and chicken breast (25 percent).

Source: eHow.com

Rhodiola

Rhodiola and Weight Loss
As you may know, body fat gets stored in adipose tissue. Once fat is stored in this tissue, it is hard to get rid of. That's why some people just can't seem to get rid of certain fatty spots, including "love handles" or a fatty "tire" around the abdomen. The body does possess and enzyme called hormone-sensitive lipase that is capable of breaking down fat stored in adipose tissue. But this enzyme is not especially active. This is where rhodiola rosea comes in. Extracts of rhodiola rosea have the capacity to activate hormone-sensitive lipase, thus increasing the breakdown of fat stored in adipose tissue. Rosavin specifically contributes to fat breakdown by activating hormone-sensitive lipase, thus increasing the breakdown of fat stored in adipose tissue.

History of Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea is a legendary adaptogenic tonifier that comes from the polar Arctic regions of Eastern Siberia. Also known as Golden root or Rosea, Rhodiola was highly valued by traditional Arctic tribes as a strengthening tonic to increase physical and mental stamina. Widely used by Russian athletes especially, Rhodiola supports the nervous system and helps to boost mental function by increasing blood-supply to the brain.

Source: Herbal Powers

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