Raw Veggie Maki with Peanut Ginger Sauce

I decided to make raw maki yesterday and packed some for my MIL (mom in law). My organic vegetable supplier also stopped by and had some. He actually wanted me to make more and sell him some! haha This surprised me since I haven't really been making raw food for a while. And he's never tried raw food before! My brother and sister inlaws tried some and liked it. Yay!

Raw food seems intimidating and crazy to most at first. If you're creative enough and willing to search for recipes then you'll realize that it can be really yummy. I just tell my husband that its like eating yummier versions of salads. 8o)

The whole idea to this is everything in that meal is raw or plant based. Oils must be cold pressed, sauces are not processed like soy sauce or processed vinegar. This way you get all the natural enzymes which is super good for your body. It even prevents and cures diseases. They also say that you get closer to your inner being the more you eat raw food. Read more on raw food here.

I want to do 30% raw food for the rest of my pregnancy. I'm closing in on my third trimester and I don't like the sluggish heavy feeling that usually come with it. Anyway here's the recipe:

Raw Veggie Maki with Peanut Ginger Sauce

Battling the Big C at 20 Something

I touched base with a former schoolmate of mine and was very surprised to learn that she has been battling stage 0 breast cancer. The reality that this disease does not choose age or gender became more real to me. It’s quite upsetting to know that more and more people around have cancer or is related to someone who has/had it. Curious and wanting to learn, I asked her how she fought it. I thought her reply to be inspiring that I asked her if I could share it.

This is what she wrote:

Pre-natal Massage in the south

I had a very tiring day yesterday and after being pregnant for 4 months I thought it might be time to get a pre-natal massage. I wanted a home service one so I can have it while my daughter naps. I was about to panic when it was almost her nap time and I still couldn't find any. Thank goodness my sister in law called and gave me the number of her trusted pre-natal masseuse. While waiting for her to arrive I decided to research some more and make a list of prenatal massage options for myself and other southern preggies out there.

• Mai-mai of Feel Dreams- this is my sister-in-law's trusted pre-natal masseuse. She used to work for Orange Spa and even claimed to training the prenatal masseuses there. Anyway she does home service and my sister inlaw has nothing but good things to say about her. They are open from 1pm-1am and charges 250php/hour, 375php/90mins and 450php/2hours. Her number is 0933-9371883.

Roughing it out in Coron

I’ve always wanted to go to Palawan and finally I decided to go. We were going to have our church wedding in three months. I used that as an excuse to relax with a couple of my girlfriends before the last months of planning. 8op

Let me just say the obvious, Palawan is huge! There are so many places to go to and things to see. The main go-to places are: Puerto Princesa, El nido and Coron. We decided to go to Coron since we got to hitch with my husband on the way there and only needed to buy tickets going home. The only catch was we had to sit on styro boxes aboard a small airplane. That was the beginning of our adventure.

Sausage and Basil Pasta

I decided to make some healthy pasta last night. It was so good that I ate too much of it! Anyway here's how I made it. 8o)

The TRUTH about Free-range Poultry and Meat

Since my interest in organic and natural food, I have had plenty of conversations about meat and poultry. I read a lot, spoke to farmers a lot and learned quite a few things. I've come to realize that, like myself 2 years ago, many consumers do not understand what free-range actually means. They tend to just purchase anything labeled free-range thinking it is healthier. I’d like to break it down just a bit, with what I have learned at least.

What does free-range really mean?

Most if not all of us have seen trucks of pigs or chickens on the highway. I’ve always felt bad for these animals all cramped up in a tiny truck. This is more or less how they live until they are slaughtered in major poultry and meat factories. They have very little space, poor hygiene and so they are often sick. When they get sick they are fed antibiotics.

Amanpulo, a honeymoon destination

It has been almost a year since our Honeymoon and how I wish I had a blog then. I hope I can remember all the details as I type. anyway here goes:

Every newly married couple needs a break after the crazy months of wedding planning, thus the honeymoon. There are so many to destinations to choose from. Newlyweds must choose wisely, this may be their best excuse to splurge and luxuriate!

As for us, instead of doing an out of country adventure, we decided to indulge in a quiet white sandy beach, where we won’t have to lift a finger. Our lazy and tired asses wanted pampering at its best. The first place that came to mind was Amanpulo, and so it was decided.