Movie Marathon : II. People Like Us

Movie number two, Touchstone's People Like Us. This one is a winner. Well made plot and superb cast performances from Chris Pine (he's not just gorgeous!), Michelle Pfeiffer (still the best), Elizabeth Banks (more from her aside comedy), and Olivia Wilde ( my girl crush). If you're craving for a good family movie then this one is for you.

Rating : Qualitative story, admirable cast ensemble, such a shame that only few appreciates.

Movie Marathon : I. Brave

Few days ago, I treated myself in a movie marathon. Lucky for me I've scored two of the good quality movies recently shown here in the Philippines. First stop, Disney's Brave. From the same creator who brought us Finding Nemo and UP, this film uplift the value of a mother and daughter relationship. Perfect girl bonding and best way to reconnect your relationship to your mother. Made me realized how important my Mum to me. 

Rating: Slow claps and tears at the end of the movie.

Fashion Forward : I. September Issue

The month of September embarks the beginning of different traditions and festivities. This is the start of the BERmonth, here in the Philippines, it’s our signal that Christmas season is once again approaching. Apparently, we Filipinos have the longest celebration of Christmas as compare to other countries. Amazing, I know, despite of the constant economic fluctuations each of us have experienced, still we don’t have any excuse not to celebrate Christmas merrily. Indeed, only in the Philippines!

However, for today, I will not discuss September as our initial preparation for the holiday season. Not now, because to be honest, aside from the excitement it gave me, it also increases my stress level for the imminent spending I’m about to do. Who wouldn’t want to give or share something to their love ones? Set aside the financial goals/objectives I patiently strived to earn for the entire year because I wouldn’t gamble the quality of present I will share/give to my love ones be it on the material or immaterial perspective.

US Magazine's respective interpretations of the September Issue as seen to their top Cover Girls - Victoria, Penelope, Miley, Gwen  and Katty.

The month of September for the fashionistas or fashion savvy individuals highlights the important events, season, and trends in this industry. As Candy Pratt-Price of Vogue once said, “it is the January of fashion”. It marks the beginning or the start of a new era or season for the trendsetters. The time to buy new pairs of heels/boots/flats. The time to try new shades of lipstick-red/plum/pink/peach. The time to ask your stylist for the "in the now" cut which would eventually conclude your look for the entire year. The time to experiment for the kind of look you want to project-au natural/sensual smoke/darkly gothic/boyishly him etc. The time to update once closet with wool, wide leg trousers, skinny, manly suits, peplum, pencil or A-line skirts, bondage dresses or mod inspire, military jackets versus cardigans.

It also means FASHION WEEK! Beginning with New York then London to Milan and lastly Paris, the designer’s presentation of what would be the next look of the forthcoming season. These creations will be the predicted trends for the next few months. Indeed September is truly the important month in the industry of FASHION.

Local mags have their own version as well, from Metro's Izza, to Start Studio's Kim and Meg's very own Heart.

Needless to say, it is no surprise at all why fashion magazines devote their most important issue and the thickest and heaviest print out during September. Aha!!!so that’s it! Even here in the Philippines magazines such as Preview, Metro and MEGA allot their most extravagant and expensive (if I may say) issue during this month. Yet for us, the follower of culture and taste, are most willing to partake the required amount just to have a glimpse or  gain an idea of what suppose to be the important dictation of this religion (as some would consider).

I must say I am a religious follower of some selective fashion magazines such as Glamour, Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar, Elle and Preview for the local side, as they served a constant reference of what a true style should represents. Though I am no fashion victim or trendsetter, blame it to my narrow financial spending ability, still I often get my idea of dressing, hairstyling, sometimes women empowerment advice and relationship guidelines (example-Glamour)in these magazines, which by far represented the true woman needs.

Vogue's biggest cover for September

Vogue magazine’s interpretation of September Issue is the one that I am constantly excited of. Not only that it have thickest and heaviest issue of the entire magazine industry, also it has always been in the talk for surpassing the previous issue it created, and  for me, it is the most qualitative representation of what fashion is all about. Vogue magazine is indeed the bible of every fashionistas and the authoritative dictator of style. Year after year, this magazine showed to women that fashion is more than just an acquisition of trending clothes and shoes, accompaniment of proper accessories and handbags, and the projection of rightful make -up and hair style, most especially it gave us what every girl, lady, woman, grandma should act and decide when it comes to establishing ones style.

Vogue's 120th Year was greatly illustrated in the magazine's September Issue. Artistically made and well represented, from the in demand Fashion Designers/Creative Director (existing superstar to the new rebel league), to the new set of Social Icons, two of the fast rising Leading Ladies (Lawrence and Mara) and lastly the new Era of Fashion Great's Mannequin (Karlie,Arizona, Joan and Liu). Hats off to the best illustrations of Style's CREATIVITY!

In this year September Issue, marks the magazine’s 120^th year, lucky for Lady Gaga and her legion of monsters, as she was the chosen cover girl in the most coveted issue. The magazine indeed once again made a record for delivering the most pages a magazine has to offer, topping their previous record of more than 800 pages, and now to a whooping 916 page number. It does embark another important highlight in the history of fashion magazine. Slow claps to the Anna Wintour’s team of excellent editors for yet again another phenomenal September Issue!

Lady G born to rule this way. She depicts what the other side of Fashion should be-Uniqueness to Immortality. First seen on the March 2011 cover, and now to the most coveted issue of all - The September Issue!

The best of Vogue world according to Anna. Young Naomi and Christy, the Great Irving Penn's approached to art photography, Sir Winston Churchill rare memorabilia and the early interpretation of Style - Classic and Regal as depicted in Old Hollywood Glamour.

Anna Wintour's  first US Vogue issue as the new Editor in Chief. November 1988. The beginning of the Anna chronicles.

Reading a fashion magazine maybe a girl thing and a woman's self confessed addiction, but it does gave us a better referendum of how to illustrate style in the most responsible way. Most of us may not be able to acquire or buy designer's clothes and accessories, but we can always borrow the idea behind its creation  and still accomplished the same degree of fulfillment.Like any other true blooded fashionistas, I will be excitedly waiting for my copy of  another September Issue! Amazingly admiring it and religiously learning the idea it conveys with the appropriate attitude and responsibility.

Food Junkie : I.The Vegetative State

Last Sunday after watching "BIGATIN" by Ms. Che-Che Lazaro and getting glued about how Ms. Izza Calzado struggles on her battle against weight gain, I realized that living a healthy life is not an option or a choice  we decide to do but  a MUST selection if we're aiming to live  longer.

Diet I must say play an important role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating too much sweets can lead us to the zone of Diabetes (type II Diabetes), one of the most common world disease that once you get inflicted there's no chance of escape and leaves you a lifetime of treatments. How about those beyond normal cholesterol levels that was acquired from enormous fatty foods and less than minimum amount of activities, where will it leads one? Three words - " stroke" and " hear attack", not to mention that eating such kind of food is the main culprit for having diabetes. Wonder where joint diseases such as arthritis came from? Increase uric acid in the body from constant eating of animal organs (balunan, ring a bell?) proved its development. 

Scary right. If someone do not pay importance to what he/she is eating, then choose from the above which of those horrendous disease you would want to have in the very near future. Diet modification is a good start towards healthy living. As a health care practitioner I can enumerate to you some well known diet restrictions - low salt low fat (hypertension), low salt, low fat, low cholesterol (stroke/with coronary disorder), computed calorie requirement along with equally distributed carbs, protein, and fat in roughly 5 meals a day (diabetes), low purine (arthritis), low protein(kidney problems), etc. These are just some of the food modifications we prescribed to our patients in the hospital. But how about for those healthy individuals not having any debilitating illness? Well for each of you still not battling any health disorder, its high time you begin your prevention process NOW! or you wouldn't have get lucky the next time around.

I always been fascinated on vegetarianism. Hats off to those who have been in this practice  for quite sometime ( Rica Peralejo, Isabel Roces, Yasmien Kurdi)are just some of the personalities known in this field. Their discipline and strictness in following such ordeal is truly a remarkable behavior and should be imitated by those yearning for a healthy life.

Today let’s discuss about vegetarian and the like of it. First let us first know what are the different types of vegetarians. A true vegetarian eats no meat at all including fish, dairy and poultry. A lacto –ovo vegetarians eats dairy and eggs but excludes poultry, fish and meat. A lacto vegetarian eats dairy products but no eggs. An ovo vegetarian eats eggs but no dairy products. Semi-vegetarians defined as individuals who eats poultry, fish and seafood but exclude red meat and beef. I tried the third one before and it proved to be a rewarding practice since I was able to maintain a less than 120 lbs. body weight, if only I have more disciple in my system, I wouldn't gone back to my previous routines. Lastly in this is group are what we called vegan (vee-gun), whom only eats plant and plants based foods and totally exclude ALL animals and animals derived food products. Also, they are more stricter in contrast of the above mentioned, since their diet practice often extends on their lifestyle.

Today vegetarians are still a minority in the country and even in the different side of the world, however they are fast becoming famous and known even to the ordinary people. Thanks to the  vast changes in our technologies, information dissemination become an easy task. Before no one would have a thorough knowledge on being a vegetarian and how it can be achieve? Today?, thanks to internet creation, and birth of  social media, knowing things is just a click away. Misconceptions on this subject almost totally eradicated and public awareness is imminent. 

How safe is vegetarianism? According to The American Dietetic Association (ADA), " appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases", thus, officially endorsing vegetarianism.

If you're planning to be a vegetarian gathering enough information us the key to a successful practice. As mentioned above- appropriately planned diet is the major responsibility in this practice. Its not as easy as eliminating some food groups in your diet such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. You should know that these group of food are important   in energy creation, muscle developments and growth enhancement. Which is why you have to know the important nutrients and minerals that are lacking in most vegetarian diets.

1. Iron - Iron fortified cereal, legumes (lentils, baked beans and chicken peas), soybeans, tofu, dried fruits (raisins and figs are high in iron contents. Eating these type of foods with adequate amount of Vit. C (often seen in citrus fruits) will aid in fast absorption of iron in the body.

2. Calcium - Milks and yogurt are two of the most enrich calcium foods. But since vegetarian avoided this food products substitution is the key. Tofu, soy milk, calcium enriched orange juice, green leafy vegetables are just some vegetarians considered eating. Calcium intake is important in bone development especially if you're a teens. Also women is at risk of osteoporosis that's why this minerals should not be removed in a vegetarian diet.

3.Vitamin D - If C vitamin is the key in iron absorption,then the Ds are for calcium. Fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals are the best substitutes. Also intake of a supplement is an advantage.

4. Protein - Before acquiring complete protein in the diet can only be achieve through eating meats. Now, a wide array of food combination with protein content can be done to accomplish that goal. Eggs and dairy products are a good combination, but for those in restriction peanut butter, soy milk, grains, cereals and VEGETABLES are some of the protein foods.

5. Calories, Fats and Fibers - Vegetarians tend to have a high fiber but low fat diet. Take note that although majority of fat enriched foods are destroying to our health, however a sufficient intake of these are necessary for our growth. Omega-3 fatty acids  for one are not enough in most vegan diet. You should know that a sufficient intake of this  aids into a health heart.Fortified soy milk and breakfast bars are some of the food products with fortified DHA, a well known Omega - 3 fatty acid.

6. Zinc and Vitamin B12 - These two are not enough in some food products, thereby, intake of supplement are encourage.

Here is a vegetarian food pyramid so you'll be guided in your food preparation and consumption.

As a certified foodie, dining out is my most beloved vice. You may think that dining out for vegetarians are difficult and way too expensive. But you'll be surprise to know that majority of the restaurants included a well prepared meals for veggie eaters. Even fast food chains designed an options for vegetarians.  There are also restaurants dedicated strictly to the veggie eaters. What about the pricing are they too expensive for my budget? Nope, since there are lot of "resto" options, I'm sure you will find one that will suit to your spending.  Check Raya Mananquil's article for spot.ph, she features ten of the best vegetarian restaurants in Metro Manila. Surprisingly, locations such as Quezon City, Makati and Taguig caters to most of it.

Most of you must have heard about the PIPINO in Teachers Village in QC. It was widely featured to the different lifestyle program (In Listed just recently) and in most foodie magazine. True enough, a food haven for veggie and healthy eaters. Who would ever think that a vegetarian restaurant can be as delectable like this. Every meal are mouth watering and a promise of full appetite. Delicately made and prepared and an inviting ambiance paved way to its success. My only disappointment (small) is that its located in QC and maybe too far for me that frequent locates in Makati. Good thing they have their delivery service now, most of us in far south can experience this sumptuous cuisine. Though at most time  I still prefers to personally visit the restaurant and enjoy the good ambiance, after all the its worth the trip.

One good reason to enjoy food delivery!!!

some of their must try

three of my favorite cuisines - garlic noodle, stuff portobello and wicked walnuts

PIPINO's menu list with affordable prices

By now, you made a choice on your mind and come up a final decision with regards to your lifestyle. Let's all begin in choosing what we eat, vegetarian or not, we have the responsibility to take care our own health, a must ordeal not a just one of the few choices. Because the next time around, the damaged that we have inflicted in our body and entire well-being may be irreparable.

For those of you who want to know more about being a vegetarian, here are some of the websites that can give you sufficient amount of information, enough for you to envision the whole picture :

The Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org/)

Vegetarian Recipe|Small Planet.org (www.smallplanet.org/Hope-Edge-Recipes)

Vegetarian Times (www.vegetariantimes.com)

Vegetarian Pages (www.veg.org/)