Christmas with Suchero

Last December 13th, I attended a Christmas Party organized by my blogger friend Blas for Suchero. I've been hearing what Suchero is and I know it has something to do with sugar substitute and I was right. What I thought will be a simple gathering of bloggers became an intimate Christmas Party filled with fun and surprises.

I arrived at Red Crab in McKinley Hill a bit late but the program has not started yet so I got the chance to catch up with my runner/blogger friends. It's been a while since I last saw them since I have been inactive in attending events recently. I enjoyed the moment with them and after a few minutes I'm already updated on the latest happenings in the running community. I also got a chance to read up on what Suchero is and what this product can offer, especially to a diabetic like me.

Optimo 3+3 Coffe Mis with Suchero

Before the event started, Blas called me to do a photoshoot with a food. I was even wondering why me? So without questioning I just followed him to the other side of the restaurant and I was surprised on what I saw on the table. A cheesecake!

From the looks of it I can say that it's delicious. When I got seated the first thing I did is to smell it, and it smells like coffee. Then the Chef told me that it was Kapeng Barako Cheesecake. Okay that's cool, but I'm not really a fan of sweet desserts, especially during the night. Then she told me an interesting information that this one is sweetened with Suchero. Now we're talking!

After the shots were taken I got the privilege to get the first bite of this sweet thing and when I got to taste it, it never failed me. The cheesecake was so full of flavor and the Kapeng Barako taste is not overpowering. The sweetness is just right and it did not felt harsh on my tastebuds (I am sensitive to sweet taste).

Open wide! :P

Then right after the program officially started. I was looking at the menu of what they will serve to us for that night. I was told everything that will be served is with Suchero so this day is an exemption and I'll eat whatever is placed on my table. That's great but when I found out that Suchero is actually a type of Coco Sugar, I had my doubts about it. Coco Sugar usually has this bland taste that's why I don't like using it. It makes food or drinks taste significantly oily.

When the food was served one by one while they explain how Suchero was used in that particular dish, I am excited to try it. Surprisingly, each and every food served to us did not taste anything near of what I expect it to be. Everything in the menu taste great. This is gonna be a good sugar choice to use on food! We also got a chance to talk to the owner of Suchero and Optimo - the Coffee Mix with Suchero and we got a chance to ask questions and get more information about the products.

The sauce is sweetened by Suchero, and it taste great!

Glazed with Suchero, and it was really delicious! ^_^

After the great dinner, Blas provided a great program for us and we enjoyed playing "Pinoy Henyo" and got different prizes. No one went home empty handed.

Great food, great crowd, great event!

Thanks Suchero, Ultimo, Red Crab and most especially to Blas for organizing such a great Christmas Party!

The delectable Barako Cheesecake dessert and all the food photos posted in this blod entry will be served by Red Crab come 2013 so you can order it from their menu of many other healthy food sweetened by Suchero, a natural sugar alternative!

Suchero on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sucheronaturalsweetener
Red Crab on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Red-Crab-Alimango-House/131442113532781?ref=ts&fref=ts

Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Avellanosa.

Good Vibes everyone and Sweet Running! ^_^

Rescue Run 2012

Typhoon Pablo, what was believed to be the most severe typhoon in the Philippines over the past twenty years made its landfall in Baganga of Davao Oriental last December 4, 2012. This typhoon brought strong winds and floods that heavily affects Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental provinces in Mindanao, killing thousand of people and leaving thousand of survivors homeless and in distress.

We have been a witness of what this typhoon has brought to our fellowmen in Mindanao because of the heavy media exposure it got. The Government and other Non-Government Organizations, Foundations and Charities are already working their way to send help to those who were affected by this tragedy but still, there are reports that relief goods are not sufficient.

Some of the casualties of Typhoon Pablo tragedy. (Photo from abs-cbn.com)

While watching television, it broke my heart to see the miserable situation of the patients in one of the hospitals in Compostela Valley. People are dying of simple diarrhea and from infections caused by untreated wounds. When the relief goods truck came in people came in a hurry to get their share of the food that led to a stampede. I was really a terrifying sight to see.

There are lots of ways to send in help to them but as a runner, we can also do our share. I am so happy that Greentennial Run took the initiative of organizing a race for a cause so we can also extend what we can to reach out to our fellows who need it the most.

RESCUE RUN 2012
December 23, 2012 - Sunday - 5:00AM
Bonifacio Global City

Registration sites: 

Registration opens on DECEMBER 14 to 22 at the following sites:

Mizuno:
Trinoma - 916-6495
Galleria - 470-4549
Eastwood - 584-6174
Bonifacio High Street - 856-1432
MOA - 915-1946
ATC - 846-6687
Second Wind:
Teacher's Village - 238-4005
Ortigas Home Depot - 914-0283
Greenhils G-Strip - 945-7856
A Runner's Circle:
Roxas Blvd., Manila - 564-4786

Minumum donation of 200 pesos will give you a Race Bib. You can chose from 5K or 10K distance. Also, there will be a Zumba warm up before the run!


RACE MAP

*10K will do 2 loops


ASSEMBLY AND GUNSTART TIMES: 

No cash prize to be given to podium finishers since all that will be collected on the event will be donated to the cause. Though there will be medals for the first 24 finishers!

Also, there will be special recognition for the following: 
*BEST
-running macho papa (papable na runner)
-running crush ng bayan (sexy/cute na runner)
-running diva (runner na becky)
-running blogger
-run blog
-run event host (in different running events)
-running team -running duo (always seen together in tun events)
-running couple (married couples or runners in a relationship)

The Filipino Running Community is once again united for our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao who are victims of flash floods and landslides brought about by super typhoon Pablo.

Please visit the events page here for more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/394082274002137/ 
Email: greentennial@yahoo.com

Filipino Running Community's Bayanihan Spirit is alive! RESCUE RUN : COUNT ME IN!

Diet Tips This Holiday Season

Since I signed up to do a relay at the upcoming Ironman Cebu in August 2013, the more I dedicate myself to my training and diet regimen. So far after I started the "Saba" (Banana Plantain Diet) and now the "Kamote" (Sweet Potato) Diet with proper nutrition, attitude and exercise, I saw significant results with how I look, feel and perform. Though I'm still in the process of taking in it's full effect, I can say that it's very effective. I'll try to write more about my diet as soon as great statistical results are seen.

Delicious, but adds up to you! (Photo from http://www.uci.edu)

Now it's already December, the time of the year for plenty of parties, family gatherings and celebrations. There are lots of these things going on and I know how hard it is to stay away from them. I have no plans on missing significant celebrations and lose out on precious moments with my family and friends just because I stay away from the food and the fear that my months of strict diet and training will just go to waste.

I am one of those with the curse of eating and gaining weight fast so if I don't watch it, I'll end up tipping the scales to 220lbs. again as I did when I was 14 years old. I never want that to happen ever again...

So, after reading out some articles and seeking out advises from friends whom I call Diet and Strength Guru's, I came up with an idea on how I can enjoy the celebrations without adding the weight that I worked hard in losing.


1. Load up on the good stuff before going to a party - A bowl of oatmeal, a medium sized sweet potato or banana plantain can hold on to your hunger and will prevent you to overeat during parties. You won't be eating more of the unhealthy stuff since you've already fill yourself with the good ones.

Saba and Kamote can fill you up so you won't load up on the unhealthy ones.

2. Drink a lot of water - Might sound overrated but true. Drinking plenty of water will give your stomach the feeling of fullness and will limit you from overeating. Some people doesn't find this effective but some does.

At least 2 glasses before you dig in to the buffet table can lessen your food intake. (Photo from healthyfresh.org)

3. Chose the healthier options or the lesser evil - Let's face it. Party food are most of the time unhealthy. It's salty, too sweet, oily and is high on carbs. If you're going to eat, chose the healthier stuffs. For example, instead of eating that delicious Leche Flan, you can settle for Gelatin as a dessert. For the lesser evil choices, if there is Lechon on the dinner Table, try to chose the meat over the fat, or go for roast chicken instead.

I chose this dessert over the Gourmet Ice Cream!

4. Satisfy your cravings and get a little of everything - I love buffets, who doesn't? And everytime I eat in buffets I wanna eat everything up to the extent that I miss out on some because I stuff myself too much with the first dish I took so after a while, when I feel there is space again, I'll load up. So the result is weight gain. I don't want that to happen anymore. A friend told me that food cravings are mostly satisfied with just a small amount of intake so getting a little portion of everything will give you the feeling that you ate everything in there, without feeling all bloated and full of regrets.

Also, stop eating at wee hours of the night and just enjoy partying, especially when you feel that the party will end soon or you need to go home in a few hours so you won't sleep with a full stomach. Sleeping on it will give the tummy a hard time digesting, and will turn them to fats which will go the parts of your body you would not want them to be.

My sample platter at a buffet. I took in most greens and a little of everything else!

5. Limit the alcohol intake, especially beers - I know it's looks like you're gonna be a party pooper but hey! I didn't say you're not allowed to drink. Parties always have that alcoholic beverage and you can never resist them (unless you do not drink alcohol). So, a glass of red wine is the best option. Vodka and other drinks is also cool as long as you take one or two shots only. One trick I learned from my Mom to get through this is to take small sips in your drink occasionally so it will last all night. I tried this once and it actually works! My two shots of Tequila Rose lasted from 10pm to 5am the next day.

Beers are brewed from malt, and malt is carbohydrates, and carbohydrates hurt the blood sugar levels so I suggest diabetics like me stay away from these stuff, even if it's the light ones. Also, beers are packed with calories and it causes "Beer Belly" (You know what I mean).

As diabetics, we should also watch our alcohol intake because of its adverse effects on our blood sugar levels. Alcohol lowers us down and may cause sudden hypoglycemia attacks if taken in large amounts.

Beers are good when consumed in small amounts. (Photo by sanmiguelbeer.com.ph)

6. Socialize more and have fun! - Parties are meant for socializing and having fun, food is just an addition. I am internalizing this mantra so that I will have more fond memories of interacting with peers rather than regrets in food that turned into an additional flab on my arms, thighs and tummy.

I do not want to get into that "Off Season" thing because I'll lose my progress and come back weaker than ever and feels like I'm starting out again, so I will still do my workouts and trainings on days that I plotted I will do.

I know its gonna be very hard but if we put ourselves in it, it can be done. I believe in this!

I hope you find things here useful as I did. As for me, I'm gonna take the challenge of no weight gain this holiday season and I hope you do too, ofcourse its while we enjoy the bonding moment with our friends and loved ones. Goodluck to all of us, and cheers for the season!

Good Vibes everyone and Sweet Running! ^_^

World Diabetes Day Philippines 2012

Last November 17, 2012 brought a milestone to diabetes awareness in the Philippines as Philippine Diabetic Athletes Inc. launched the first ever World Diabetes Day Philippines 2012 Commemoration at Glorietta 5 Activity Center in Ayala, Makati City.

When we were starting out as a team, Sir Poch already told us his visions on how we can go towards our main goal, to spread diabetes awareness and to help people who need information and support about diabetes, especially those who are inflicted with the condition like ourselves. This event is one of his big plans and I am so happy that it finally came to realize.

We started the campaign through social media like Facebook and Twitter. Also, with the help of our media partners, the event was further exposed and reached many people. We received a lot of inquiries which gave us the hint that many people, diabetics or non diabetics alike are very much interested in the event.

Then big day came. I brought my Mom and my kid with me since it's a Saturday and I want my Mom to hear the talks as well. I also brought my neighbor with an 8 year old son diagnosed with diabetes at age 1 year 18 months so they could benefit from the event as well.

Opening remarks led by Mr. Poch Bermudez (Photo by: Ian Caleb)

It started with us, Team Triabetics on our opening remarks. We got the chance to share some things about ourselves, how we started out individually and about the group as a whole. After that, the event officially started.

Dra. Teresa Macato doing her talk about Exercise for Diabetics.

We welcome members and Sponsors as well, and see the cute kid there? LOL! :P

My Friend and Fellow blogger & diabetic, Kai asking questions in the open forum.

Dr. Harvey De Baron discussing about diet. This one really is very interesting I learned a lot!

Besides the talks and the chance to get your questions answered by the expert resource persons, one thing that I liked about this event are the sponsors booths. These companies that manufactures different products from running gears to supplements believed in us and supported our advocacy. They even put big prizes for us to raffle off to the attendees of the event.

Abbott Diabetes Care, the makers of MediSense Optium and Omega supported our event by giving out Free Blood Glucose test to all event participants.

Ampalaya Plus Booth promoted their famous recipe book to the participants.

Asics booth showing off their nice kicks!

But ofcourse, the Multisport Philippines Magazine Booth is all in for us!

After the event, big prizes were raffled off to the participants courtesy of our generous sponsors. Everyone had a grand time at the event because each had the chance to get their questions answered and learn more about the condition and how to better manage it.

One thing I was so happy about is that Sir Poch announced that this commemoration will also happen in different key cities in the country so those people living in Visayas and Mindanao, watch out for us next year!

My tip on how to beat diabetes! :P

I would like to thank Go Nattural Corporation, makers of Ampalaya Plus and Ampalaya Plus Junior, Abbott  Diabetes Care, Asics Philippines and Multisport Philippines Magazine for the support given to us for this event, the speakers Dra. Teresa Macato, Dr. Harvey De Baron, Ms. Kaye Lopez, Dr. Gar Eufemio, Dr. Glenn Ramos and Dr. Gemiliano Aligui for selflessly sharing their expertise and knowledge to equip us with information about the condition, the staff of Hinge Inquirer Publications for the event preparations and manpower and most especially, to the participants who made the event a successful one.

Team Triabetics are in support for the cause!

Congratulations to Philippine Diabetic Athletes Inc. (Team Triabetics) for a successful kickstart of the World Diabetes Day Philippines 2012 Commemoration here in the Philippines! I hope that this will start the spark of diabetes awareness and information in our country!

Please like us on Facebook: Team Triabetics
Follow us on Twitter: @Triabetics

Good Vibes everyone and Sweet Running! ^_^