Lemon Water to Lose Weight

To lose weight, I’ve started drinking warm water with a slice of lemon instead of sodas and bottomless ice teas, both of which has tons of sugar in it.  

I learned this from a friend who practices Transcendental Meditation (TM).  According to her gurus, warm water with a slice of lemon is the best meal time beverage because it aids in digestion.  

This was confirmed by Whoopie Goldberg, during a segment on The View, who lost some weight when she started drinking lemon water and Bob Green, Oprah’s personal trainer and author of the book “Best Life Diet”, who also recommends warm water with a slice of lemon to jump start any diet. 

Try this out.  It worked for me and it might work you.  

Cafe Juanita

Cafe Juanita, a hole-in-a-wall eatery nestled in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, provides good food and an eclectic ambiance that changes with the season. For December, Christmas was in the air. There were angels and bells, garlands and poinsettias, and all items you see are for sale.

For starters, my dad and mom shared the Oclam Fish Soup, a Laotian clear soup which can be served with fish or chicken. My cousin and I, on the other hand, shared a serving of Favada, a spanish bean stew. The Favada was so rich and flavorful with bits of ham/bacon (I think) and chorizo, which I guessed was what gave the favada its flavor.

Then we had Goicuon, a vietnamese fresh spring roll served with peanut sauce. I was a bit disappointed, the wrapper was too soggy and the vegetable filling was bland. Only the peanut sauce brought the dish together, which was on a sweet side for me. I would have preferred a balance of saltiness and sweetness in the sauce.

Ratatoy, which is their Pinoy version of the French original, was a winner. I loved the blend of chopped fresh tomatoes, onions, blanched eggplants, tuyo (dried fish) tossed in a warm soy sauce-vinegar based sauce. I had more rice than I usually have.

Buddha’s Pillow was soft tofu triangles, breaded and fried then stewed in a bonito flavored sauce, was unimpressive to me. My mom and dad didn’t like the taste and I found it drowned in too much sauce.

Laing Bicol was not the usual laing I’ve had. This laing was rolled up gabi leaves stuffed with chopped gabi and ground meat cooked in gata sauce. Rich, thick and spicy. Yummy. Another dish best eaten with rice slathered with the rich gata sauce.

Thai Crispy Dalag was similar to binukadkad na isda of Pampanga. Dalag (mudfish) was butterflied and deep fried, served with an interesting sauce that tasted of vinegar, sugar syrup, a hint of patis (fish sauce), chilies, scallions and maybe fried shallots. It was the perfect dipping sauce for the finger-licking-good crunchy fish. Again, best eaten with rice kamayan style.

Cafe Juanita
No.2 United corner West Capitol
Bo. Kapitolyo Pasig City
Tel: 6320357 ; 7101562

Felix Restaurant

Once in awhile, I have a date with my Dad. We usually go for nice simple meals which are not too rich and not too heavy. Dad has a small appetite but a palate for taste buds. He enjoys tasting, eating a little of everything and leaves the rest for us to finish (diet out the door...).

I decided to bring him to Felix Restaurant, where I've had dinner previously with friends, and found the food well prepared and delicious. The staff were attentive and cordial, and the ambiance of the place soothing. Except, that night, a guest was taking photos with his camera flash on and it was very distracting.

I ordered Cordero which was braised lamb ribs with herbed potatoes and buttered vegetables. The lamb was deliciously falling off the bones and the serving was more than I can finish. I’ve always enjoyed the combination of lamb with rosemary.

Dad had Samurai which was grilled salmon (?) served on top of a bed of vegetables, tofu and taro chips. The fish was perfectly fork tender and the vegetables gave texture to the dish. Soft fish, crunchy taro.

To cap off dinner we shared a dessert of Isamu, aka crepe samurai to me, which was layers of mangoes sandwiched between crepes with egg custardy sauce and baked till golden brown. (I used to make them but now prefers to buy them) I would have preferred it with more mangoes and sauce, but Dad liked it the way it was.

We both enjoyed our dinner and looked forward to another date together.

Felix Restaurant
G/F Greenbelt 5
Ayala Center, Makati City
Tel: 7299062 ; 4960705

Negi Miso Ramen

My mom's a picky eater, therefore when she says a food's good, it must be good.

One of her favorite is Negi Miso Ramen of Isshin Japanese Restaurant.  It's not listed on the menu but a friend recommended it and we have been ordering it everytime.

It's a bit on the spicy side (which I love) with tons of sliced green onions, ground pork, chilies, vegetables and ramen noodles in a miso base soup.  Rich, spicy and so flavorful, perfect for those cold months ahead.  

Isshin Japanese Restaurant

1024 Pasay Road

Makati City

Tel: 817-2548 ; 844-1512

Classic Confections

There are many times in a woman's life that hormones run amok.  Like many women out there, I have mine monthy and boy... better calm those raging hormones or else...

I found the perfect solution, during one of my forays in Greenbelt 5, sweet-tart Calamansi bar with perfectly brewed cappuccino, no sugar, at Classic Confections.  Heaven.

Also try their Lemon Torte, Nono's Chocolate Oblivion and Banana Cream Pie.  

Classic Confections

2/F Greenbelt 5

Makati City

Coffee Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onion

Everybody knows I’m a confirmed javaholic. Although I’ve cut down my intake, I still enjoy a cup or two a day. Thanks to a friend who supplies me "Million Dollar Brew" coffee beans.

Imagine my surprise when I got this recipe from Eating Well Magazine October 1998. Coffee...pot roast...caramelized onion...all my favorites. I just had to try it and I did.

I must say this is one of the best pot roast I’ve done and tasted. (chucking humility out the window)

So here's the recipe:

2 kg beef chuck roast trimmed of fat
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced (4 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
8 oz strong brewed coffee (I used Starbuck’s Christmas Blend)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, turning from time to time, until well browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pot. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in coffee and vinegar; bring to a simmer. 

Return the beef to the pot and spoon some onions over it. Cover and braise over very very low fire until fork-tender but not falling apart.

Transfer beef to a cutting board, tent with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, skim fat from the braising liquid; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook, whisking, until the gravy thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Season with pepper. Carve the beef and serve with gravy.

I found the pot roast richer and more flavorful the day after, served with rice, pasta or bread. Delicious.