Overnight Oats

This year, I planned on eating healthy. Instead of starving myself and enroll on a gym I look forward into planning my meals wisely. And that plan remained as "only plans" for the rest of January. Haha super bright right?!

Okay, I admit it! Although I really wanted to get back into my pre-mommy shape, I didn't took it seriously because R will always tell me that its okay if I get fat, or other people my friends will tell me "Hindi ka naman mataba!" and Inang usually tell me "Mas gumanda ka nga ngaun na nagkalaman ka! mas maganda ka ngaun!"  Until one day, someone ask me "Buntis ka ba?" OMG! and then the next day someone asked me again "Buntis ka na ba?" haha OMG na talaga! hindi pa noh!

So thats the time I realized I maybe really be getting fat or my tummy is really getting big. And I need to do something about it. 

So I went back on my plans, and started eating healthy. I cannot tell you if its effective yet, because I did a lot of cheat meals days during valentines day weekend, but I can assure you guys that eating healthy doesn't need to be starving yourself and eating only "leaves" or bland foods. So now I settle with my own diet/healthy breaky and dinner. My Overnight Oats ala Mommy Sweetie. 

I did a lot experimenting on this, because Mr. Google offers a lot of different recipes and versions. I want something that I effortless to do, all ingredients available at the nearby market and of course affordable. 

My Ingredients; 

1. Rolled Oats. - you can also use the instant ones but it gets dissolved in the overnight soaking.
2. Milk - any kind of milk will do,but have it low-fat of course.  Others use yogurts too. I tried the regular flavored and it will do. I am looking for greek yogurts pa, it will be more creamy daw.
3. Fruits - any kind will do. I often use apple and banana and strawberries if R came from work.
4. Chia Seeds - The mighty seeds. I am using it because I still have leftovers from our trip to Baguio organic market a year ago. But you can get it from healthy options. It provides protein, but it can be omitted too.

Then mix everything in a bowl or jar. Put in the fridge overnight. And enjoy it the next morning. 

I am now on my second week of doing this, I hope to do some biking and running this weekend. Well, I hope I can continue with this lifestyle. Wish me luck! 

What is your mommy diet strategies to loose belly fats? share away!

G, 

Naga City Hits

Let me share how my apprehensive travel to Naga City, turned into a memorable trip that made me realized a lot from life and from myself.  

First of course is that after years of traveling, I now finally accepted na nakakatakot pala talaga ako magbyahe. I always argue that the safest way to travel is via airplane. Not to mention that it is fast and comfortable. But yes, in my recent travel I got afraid. But, I conquered my fears through prayers. 

Sino ba naman hindi matatakot when you look at the window and you see this propeller? Aircrafts to Naga kasi is usually small. But very safe naman daw.

But when I look at the other side of the window, I saw this... a beautiful view of "sea of clouds" (never mind the dirty window). Then I realized, every situation has two sides. It is up to you if you focus on the negative side, or in the positive side. In the propeller? or in the majestic sea of clouds? I preferred the sea of clouds, prayed for a safe journey and read a good book. And arrived safe at Naga City. 

This was my home for 3days and 2nights.  

I made a separate post about my pleasant stay at Crown Hotel. 

PLACES TO SEE... 

I was in Naga City for work. But I managed to squeezed in some time to explore the city alone. This was an achievement for me, because usually with my team or someone or counterpart/local when I travel to guide or tour us. I gained some independence here from a strange place. This is the first time I explored the city like a local. And decided that from now on, when I travel, I will not be a tourist again, but a like local and will embrace their culture as well. 

The Plaza, right in front of the Crown Hotel. 

I also had a courage to commute to the Penafrancia Shrine. The place is so beautiful and peaceful. I went there via tricycle, and paid P8 to and P10 back to the hotel. 

The altar. I made my 2 wishes, the first happened that night, and I am waiting for the second. 

The adoration chapel. 

Beautiful ceilings. I could stare at this the whole day. 

This, I don't know the name. But it is pretty. This is near the central market. 

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT

Bigg's Diner

According to a local, this fastfood chain is like the McDo of Bicolandia. A must try. So I headed to their downtown branch and had the first meal in Naga. They have unique and retro interiors, which I failed to take some pictures. Shy attack. 

Lookie at their cute placemats. 

Salisbury Steak and Giant Coke

Choco Lava Moist Cake

Toasted Siopao

I also consulted Mr. Google on other places to eat. I got curious with the toasted siopao of 3N bakery. For P8 each for classic and P10 for hot and spicy, you have a flavorful (not tipid filling) toasted siopao, talk about value for money. And the bakery is all over the place. 

Cravings for Comfort Foods

And when you are in a strange place, and you are stressed and homesick, #mommysweetiesolution is to look for your favorite comfort food. It is sign that Naga city is a progressive city because almost all the foodchains are there. Name it, ask for the direction how to get there and enjoy the food. 

Sili Ice Cream

When you hear Naga or Bicol, the usual food to for are bicol express and anything spicy. I didn't look for them since we usually have authentic restaurants also in manila. So I looked for something that is just from Naga City. So I came into 1st Colonial's Sili Ice Cream. 

Sili Ice Cream. Perfect combination of creaminess of milk on the first taste and hotness that trails on the food passage. This is P29 per scoop, and you have to eat quick as it melts quickly. 

PASALUBONGS... 

And of course do not forget to share your journey to your loved ones at home other than bringing them pasalubongs. 

The city market is the best place to buy them, and deal with best prices. 

These are pili tarts (5 pack to P100), coconut jam with pili (P45 each jar), mazapan de pili (3 for P100) and pili nuts (3 for P100 and P85 large bottle). 

There are also non food products like bags and abaca slippers (sorry I don't have the price they are tokens given to me). Cute "Sili" keychains for P10 each or 11pcs. for P100, and kids shirt for P120. 

GOING HOME.... 

Bicolandia is a place where you can travel by land or by air. So to experience both, I went home via a deluxe bus of Penafrancia Tours. We left the central terminal at 8PM, and arrived at Cubao by 4am, with a stop over along Quezon Province. 

The deluxe bus, is like the first class bus of Victory Liner (our suki to Baguio City).

The 2:1 seats are Lazyboy  type where you can recline, it also has restroom inside and with 2 drivers and a bus stewardess. Make sure you bring a jacket, pillow and a blanket as the air conditioner make get so cold. 

PEOPLE IN NAGA

I love how friendly people in Naga are, they are very helpful when you ask directions and places. I love how Naga City is organized with pedestrians and timed stoplights. I wonder why we can't do that in Manila.

- - -

Just as I am packing away my things, I realized that I should collect mementos of travels, aside from pictures and memories, I should have some tangible things that will remind me of my travel. So I decided to collect keychains. I hope to have a cute collection of my keychains representing my journey.

Until my next travel...

G, 

Crown Hotel, Naga City

Naga City is one of the developed and progressing cities Bicol. I happened to visit the town because of work. We stayed and did training at Crown Hotel. It is stratigically located at the center of the town where everything is accesible. The city market is just a walk away, and tricycles are within the area. My CH encounter started right after I stepped at the Naga soils haha. Because they offer free transfers.

Since it was my first time in Naga, I did my research first. And there were limited reviews about Crown Hotel, so I feel that I need to do one. And based on the infos, I lowered some of my expectations. So sabi nga nila, less expectations, less disappointments.

Let me tour you to the hotel by pictures. 

This will be my sanctuary for the rest my stay. Not so roomy, but clean and comfortable. 

I love my bed and the painting, though I will miss D's smell, this will do for two nights. 

Don't ask me what is behind that window. Kasi wala talaga. And there is no scenic view in the hotel because it is located at the center of the plaza. 

The coffee table, and some complimentary water. They don't have free coffee, but convinience stores are just around the hotel, and the helpful hotel staff are very willing to provide you with hot water and coffee cup. 

There is the dresser, and will be my working area for my stay. 

Bathroom is basic, I need more towels! but clean.

Shower area is too small, but tilled and clean. And uhm, no water heater. 

There is also a roomy cabinet and an extra pillow

The room is also equiped with lcd tv with cable and a mini ref. 

Below are the room rates as of January 2015. 

Typical hotel hallway. 

Mirrored stairs. Mirrors really make spaces look bigger. And an instant check in your ootd. lol

This is the entrance of the ballroom, where we did our seminars. It can be divided into two rooms. 

Magdalena room A. 

Magdalena room B. 

Breakfast is complimentary and they have bacon. Yun na! 

On Service - 

Front desk people are so helpful. They are very accommodating to your needs and even gives you suggestions on how to go around the city. And when you ask them "saan masarap kumain." They will tell you, sa restaurants nila. Haha trained masyado diba? 

There is also a Cebu Pacific desk that can assist you. They helped me track our cargos and the hotel driver even got it for me for P350. Me? I roamed around the city while waiting. 

Banquet staffs are also very helpful and very accommodating. They are efficient in serving our snacks and lunch. Food is also good. As much as I wanted to share our contracted rate, hindi ko alam. Our counterparts coordinated the whole seminars kasi. But I think they are very budget friendly. 

On Amenities - 

There is no swimming pool and elevators (4 floors lang naman). It is because the building is old daw can no longer accommodate such. 

They have a business center that can assist on some of your needs, but they do not have printers. Anyway you are at the downtown so everything is accessible. 

- - 

If you are looking for a accessible play to stay, or you will run some errands and meetings best to book at Crown Hotel because of the location. Everything is practically within the area.  But if you are for leisure or relaxation trip better search for other hotels or tourist spots in the region. 

Crown Hotel, Naga

Crown Hotel Building 

P. Burgos Street, Naga, 

4400 Camarines Sur

(054) 473 8305

- - 

As my bicolana friend told me "you will love the place where I grew up", I really did, because of my pleasant stay at Crown Hotel. 

I am working on a post on what made my stay in Naga a happy one, so wait for it. 

#iamsoblessed 

G, 

Sweet Surprise by Harana.ph

(I edited my previous post, since I got super excited yesterday that I forgot to write some details, now I am back to my sanity. lol) 

Being with R for more than 6 years now, I accepted the fact that he's not your guy-next-door or the romantic and cheesy guy that every girl wanted. He has his own way of telling how much he loves me. Tip for a longer-lasting relationship; never expect and do not demand. Remember the act of compromise? haha

But every year, okay once a year R spoils me with something new and make my heart melt. S0 this year, R surprised me with my very first Harana with flowers and a teddybear. As usual this is for our 6th Anniversary Jan26, My 20(something) birthday Feb13 and Valentines Day Feb14. R does this every year, 1 gift for the three celebrations. At least bongga naman! lol

I am actually getting some hints na din naman from him, because R can never keep any secret from me. Haha usually mas excited pa kasi sa akin yan, so na-coconstipate siya kapag may tinatago sa akin. lol At hindi siya nakatiis, he admitted that he has something to be delivered for me. Almond Cherry cake daw for me and my office mates. Then since my schedule is erratic, he also admit the delivery will be on Feb 2-3, and later he admitted that delivery time is 11am-12nn. 

So come lunch time, while we are about to eat our lunch, the Harana.com team came and serenaded me with flowers and teddybear. Although I was expecting a surprise, Iba pa din kapag andun na. I wish I could upload here the videos, as in wala akong nagawa kundi tumawa at tumawa and magblush.

A, my boss is the accomplish.  The group consist of the singer (Jireh Singson The Voice 2 Artist), guitarist, photographer and videographer. 

They sang two songs; Forevermore and Love of my Life.
R said the lyrics of the songs are the messages we wanted to tell me. Actually nahirapan siya to choose dahil we do not have a theme song chenes. So here are the lyrics. 

"Forevermore"

There are times


When I just want to look at your face


With the stars in the night


There are times


When I just want to feel your embrace


In the cold of the night


I just can't believe that you are mine now

[Chorus]
You were just a dream that I once knew


I never thought I would be right for you


I just can't compare you with


Anything in this world


You're all I need to be with forevermore

All those years I've longed to hold you in my arms


I've been dreaming of you


Every night,


I've been watching all the stars that fall down


Wishing you would be mine


I just can't believe that you were mine now

[Chorus]
You were just a dream that I once knew


I never thought I would be right for you


I just can't compare you with


Anything in this world


You're all I need to be with forevermore

Time and again


There are these changes that we cannot end


As sure as time keeps going on and on


My love for you will be forevermore

Wishing you would be mine


I just can't believe that you were mine now

You were just a dream that I once knew


I never thought I would be right for you


I just can't compare you with


Anything in this world


As endless as forever


Our love will stay together


You're all I need to be with forever more


(As endless as forever
 Our love will stay together)


You're all I need
 To be with forevermore...

"Love Of My Life"

You are the love of my life

And you are the reason I'm alive

And baby baby baby

When I think of how you saved me

I go crazy

I've never known love like this

And it fills me with a new tenderness

And I know I know I know

You're in my heart you're in my soul

You're all I can't resist

And I need to tell you

The first time I held you

I knew you are the love of my life

I spent a lifetime waiting

Always hesitating until you

I was lost so deep inside my shell

'Til you came and saved me from myself

Now all I really know

Is I need you

And you are the love of my life

All the joy and tears that I cry

And baby baby baby

You don't have to say a word

I see it in your eyes

As we stand together

I promise forever

'Til the day that I die

You are the love of my life

I spent a lifetime waiting

Always hesitating until you

I was lost so deep inside my shell

'Til you came and saved me from myself

Now all I really know

Is I need you

You are the love of my life

You are the reason I'm alive

Thats it! I still can feel my cheeks smiling and my face blushing. Nakakakilig pala talaga. Truly a memorable experience that we will treasure forever. So ngayon, everytime mayamot ako kay R, I can think of this surprise once he did for me. 

R, 

Thank you so much Babe! Thank you for loving me the way I always I imagined. Thank you for making me feel special and giving me the happiest life as we always planned. Thank you for being in life and being my number 1 fan. Thank you for everything!

#iamaluckygirl

G,