The Joy of Juicing

Because I am now a proud owner of few extra pounds, I decided to eat healthy. I am now into juicing. I cut back my coffee, tea and soda intake. I make my own fruit and vegetable juice. There are many recipes or fruit and vegetable combination that can be found on Google. 

Lucky me, I don't need to buy a juicer because I found an old Imarflex juice extractor just sitting at the cabinet. I tried it and it still works. If you don't have a juicer, a blender will do. Just strain the juice after to separate the pulp. Some were saying that we need the pulp as it contain the fiber we need. For me, it's just a matter of preference.

And I search for juice combination recipe around the whole wide google and I found so many. But some ingredients are hard to find here in the Philippines so I just made a substitution. 

Here are the juices I made for the past weeks. Sometimes, I add a little bit of sugar and water for better taste. i love sweet things you know.

Orange 1

• orange
• apple
• carrots

 Red 1

• beets
• pineapple
• cucumber

Green 1

• malunggay (sometimes I use spinach)
• pineapple
• cucumber or apple
• lemon

 Orange 2

• carrots
• apple
• grapefruit

Green 2

• bitter gourd (ampalaya)
• pineapple
• lemon

Red 2

• beet
• carrot
• apple
• lemon
• lime

Red 3

• watermelon
• lemon

Yellow  1

• Malunggay (boiled)
• Pandan (boiled)
• Calamansi

I'm not brave enough yet to try other combinations. So far, I noticed some changes in me since I started my juicing journey. Everyday, I'm making a big batch of juice for my whole family.

Read more »

Pasalubong from Ilocos: Bagnet, Longganisa, Chichacorn, Sukang Iloko and Marsha's Delicacies

One thing i love most about going to places is the goodies I will bring home to my family and friends. Here are some of the pasalubong I've found in Ilocos.

BAGNET

We bought bagnet at the Vigan public market because it's much cheaper. Bagnet is crispy fried pork belly. Parang lechon kawali. We bought ours at Php 350.00 per kilo.

The meat was so soft and the skin was so crunchy.The pork is boiled until tender and it's deep fried...twice! The twice frying is what gives it the unique taste. It is serve with sukang Iloko or chopped tomatoes and onions with bagoong isda dip.

LONGGANISA

And there's the Vigan longganisa for P120.00 per dozen. I don't really like the taste of their longganisa because it's too garlicky. I remember when the first time I went to Vigan and rode the Partas bus on my way home, hindi kami umalis ng terminal hanggang may naamoy na longganisa ang kundoktor sa loob ng bus. Lahat ng longganisa ay dapat nasa baba kasama ng ibang mga bagahe. Amoy na amoy kasi ang bawang. I like the Pampanga longganisa that's sweet with a little bit of garlic.

CHICHACORN

Ilocos is also famous for the chichacorn. There are many brands but my favorite is the one with yellow packaging that has a label " The Original Ilocos Chichacorn, made in Ilocos Sur. I love the garlic flavor. We bought ours at their store at the town outside Vigan.

SUKANG ILOKO

Sukang Iloko is a chemical-free organic vinegar made from sugar cane and plant extract called samak that turns the color dark preserved in earthen jars. This is good for chicharon and bagnet.

MARSHA'S DELICACIES

And our last stop is the Marsha's Delicacies. You can bu all of the goodies I've mentioned above here. But Marsha is famous for the royal bibingka and brownies. They also have a coffee shop and a clean restroom perfect for stop over.

Read more »

Baluarte ni Chavit

After eating our breakfast and packing our things, we headed to visit Baluarte. This is the info I got from their website: chavitsingson.net

Baluarte is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structures of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care.

Located along the western seaboard of Northern Luzon 408 kilometers north of Manila, bounded in the South by South China Sea, Baluarte has its breathtaking view of Vigan City. Baluarte is open to the public and admission is FREE. It is actually Governor Chavit's gift to the people of Vigan where residents are accorded free use of spaces for their livelihood programs.

Yes, It's FREE.

Animals are everywhere.

 

There is also a butterfly garden.

There is also a souvenir shop inside the Baluarte. You can also ride the pony.

There is a golden building that is so prominent. It is the house of Gov. Chavit Singson. Holy cow! It's a huge house with helipad.

Baluarte is a ten minute drive from Vigan City. Baluarte construction is still on going. Zoo patrons are given free admission and free use of its facilities in the picnic areas. It is open daily from 7am to 6pm. You are free to bring your food and be at the picnic place of your choice. We have enough comfort rooms available at the entrance. 

You can contact them at 077-722-7186.

Read more »

Calle Crisologo: A Travel Back in Spanish Time

The famous landmark of Vigan City is the Calle Crisologo. After watching the dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo and eating our dinner, we walked to Calle Crisologo. 

The street was so crowded. Full of locals and tourist. Most of the first floors of the old houses were converted to souvenir shops and restaurants. 

Luis is so cute in his native hat.

I was amazed on how the government managed to restore or preserve the area. Vigan is also called the Heritage Village.  No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you are tired of walking, the other way to tour the street is via riding the kalesa.

Anyone won’t regret visiting this street with scenes of old times, the Spanish era. The place is so charming and romantic during night time.

Read more »