tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91997915374596033742024-03-13T17:50:08.142-07:00The Earthbound Faerie...an earth faerie's journey to a greener life.earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-20756523206049896502012-08-05T17:43:00.000-07:002012-08-10T17:50:52.738-07:00Vegan Peanut Butter, Banana and Jam Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The heat is on in Washington! I never thought I would ever hear myself saying this about the weather here, but man, it has been hot!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We've been enjoying the beautiful sun and gorgeous weather, but it is making us down loads of green smoothies, salads, and our new favorite, raw vegan ice cream!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Little Boy and I have been having so much fun experimenting with different "ice cream" flavors like Banana & Cacao Chip, Honey Walnut, Vanilla Cinnamon, but this one, a spinoff of the <a href="http://earthboundfaerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/ice-cream-for-dinner-why-yes-please.html" target="_blank">Strawberry Banana Ice Cream</a> we made a couple of days ago, is currently the Little Boy's big favorite!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ENMt_7qNF1GQc1ahDu7UdCXTeOK2D8XOgOwrmAYBT3ILrqjM546n-ybUeLbhCaR573bXdjZhSUe_H8HyzFCRwh4HslSkfJN4k_Dqe1x-Sl0VS8TewPAQCDBV37f8SJsL-E4izHMx8Um9/s1600/pbj+ice+cream1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ENMt_7qNF1GQc1ahDu7UdCXTeOK2D8XOgOwrmAYBT3ILrqjM546n-ybUeLbhCaR573bXdjZhSUe_H8HyzFCRwh4HslSkfJN4k_Dqe1x-Sl0VS8TewPAQCDBV37f8SJsL-E4izHMx8Um9/s320/pbj+ice+cream1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Vegan Peanut Butter, Banana and Jam Ice Cream</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 frozen banana (in chunks)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp peanut butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp strawberry preserves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1-2 pieces of frozen strawberries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Start off with just blending the frozen banana and strawberries until you get a creamy consistency. Once you have some creamy ice cream, add the peanut butter and the strawberry preserves and blend again, just long enough to make peanut butter & jam swirls in the ice cream! Enjoy immediately!!! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">What I love about this "ice cream" recipe is that you don't have to be exact with any of the ingredients so feel free to experiment -- add more peanut butter if you want a nuttier taste, add walnuts or almonds for chunks, whatever makes it yummier for you! You can even substitute raw almond butter for the peanut butter and skip the strawberry preserves and just add a couple more strawberries to make this a completely raw dessert!</span></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-78825062871451445892012-08-02T16:11:00.000-07:002012-08-03T16:15:16.342-07:00Ice cream for dinner? Why, yes, please!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The other day, our Little Boy had to go in for dental surgery and ended up having four (yes, FOUR!!!) of his teeth pulled out and getting silver caps on several more. The poor, poor boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was very uncomfortable with the idea of having him sedated for the procedure. I just didn't love the idea of injecting a ton of sedatives into his tiny little body! So, we actually took him to three different pediatric dentists to see if we had any other options, but they all agreed that having him out for the whole procedure was our only choice if we did not want to traumatize him forever! :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So on Tuesday morning, we brought him to the <a href="http://www.thecenterforpediatricdentistry.com/" target="_blank">Center for Pediatric Dentistry</a> in Seattle for the procedure. We were lucky enough to find this place because the staff here were just awesome. They were all so warm and helpful and were more than happy to talk us through the whole procedure since they knew we were a little unsure about the whole thing. They were also so caring and really went out of their way to make sure our Little Boy never felt afraid. They even let the Little Boy choose a stuffed animal to hug and keep before he went into the OR. And even if we were not entirely comfortable with the idea of the dental surgery at first, I'm just happy that it's finally over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, with four of his upper molars missing, chewing has definitely been a challenge these past couple of days so we've been downing a LOT of smoothies for his meals. And since he couldn't really have anything too warm on that first day, for dinner, I made him a special treat (a reward for being so brave, too!!!) and made him fresh fruit "ice cream" for dinner! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know ice cream has always worked wonders for soothing toothaches and sore gums and is always a part of any major trip to the dentist but I also wanted to stick to staying dairy-free, so I knew I wanted to make him homemade ice cream and this really easy, quick recipe was perfect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhI1N-RRd2NCuU61SVQ_s1rAcEqCbiHtEQbdcZAzRredENYDd8g3Stm6f6G-BGb5aMv45OvtRf9OZch_DXkzvYypx2Sc_97g4uTzAENULeyBykBXbBAU3CKGQtXiX5aQC2Cc4NIAiUXsd/s1600/strawberrybananaicecream3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhI1N-RRd2NCuU61SVQ_s1rAcEqCbiHtEQbdcZAzRredENYDd8g3Stm6f6G-BGb5aMv45OvtRf9OZch_DXkzvYypx2Sc_97g4uTzAENULeyBykBXbBAU3CKGQtXiX5aQC2Cc4NIAiUXsd/s320/strawberrybananaicecream3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Raw (and Almost Vegan!) Strawberry Banana Ice Cream</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 frozen banana (in chunks)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4-5 frozen strawberries</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Put frozen fruits in the blender and pulse and blend until you get a creamy consistency, and that's it! I must warn you though that those frozen strawberries will give a good fight before it is completely blended into the bananas. I made the mistake of freezing our strawberries whole, so that made it take longer so next time, I'm freezing the berries in halves or maybe quarters. But other than that, it is super, super simple to make!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This recipe makes enough ice cream for two people though so after I gave the Little Boy his share, I added a couple more stuff to make a Mommy treat for myself! So, in addition to the banana and strawberries, I also added:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a handful of cacao nibs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and a drizzle of raw, wild honey <em>(you can use agave syrup, too, but I LOVE the taste of the "caramel swirls" wild honey makes!)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...blend these into the fruits and top with walnuts and more honey or agave syrup! Or go crazy and top your ice cream off with anything you fancy -- pecans, sliced almonds, raisins, buckwheat groats, etc!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">How often can you say that ice cream for dinner is good for you?! Well, this one is! And it made a perfect "I-jus-had-four-of-my-teeth-pulled-out" dinner for the Little Boy and it worked wonders in cheering him up. :)</span></div>
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<br /></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-49109424740205195472012-07-26T15:32:00.000-07:002012-07-26T16:06:44.182-07:00Quick Raw Vegan Breakfast: Banana, Cacao and Chia in Coconut Milk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkn7-RWBZzOwtdiejS1DG9Hx6Mdx5QP2yaTl1fEmgN_sPAnWqaq0TUxZX389DJqsIvMgz-idHChIj_cLz7t_VLJ3ygyDhaPS3JuBFZt9b9B6N-jSNPaNMIm2t_fLIs_tJEEgsR9acwDwu/s1600/bananacacao.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkn7-RWBZzOwtdiejS1DG9Hx6Mdx5QP2yaTl1fEmgN_sPAnWqaq0TUxZX389DJqsIvMgz-idHChIj_cLz7t_VLJ3ygyDhaPS3JuBFZt9b9B6N-jSNPaNMIm2t_fLIs_tJEEgsR9acwDwu/s320/bananacacao.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's been a tough couple of weeks in our kitchen. Our Little Baby has been having tummy problems and getting eczema rashes lately and it's looking like it's because of what I've been eating. I've already kicked dairy completely out of my diet and that helped a little bit but the rashes are still showing up! :( It has been a huge struggle just trying to figure out what exactly this little man is reacting to and I could rant on and on about this but to cut a long story short, I have decided to cut out soy and wheat (two notorious food allergens!) from my diet for now, too. So, yeah... bummer. :(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And while at first, I was feeling a little depressed about how much I had to give up -- seeing that wheat and soy are in practically everything!!! -- I think I have come to terms with the fact that it'll probably do me some good to stay away from all the processed wheat and soy products I have been eating anyway. So looking at the bright side, at least I get to go back to my awesome raw whole food favorites now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This breakfast favorite was one of the things that had me looking forward to the big change! It's super simple and quick to prepare but it is super nutritious! And with the chia seeds and raw cacao nibs, it's an excellent way to get that much-needed energy fix in the morning!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Banana, Cacao and Chia in Coconut Milk</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 banana</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 cup coconut milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp raw cacao powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tsp wild raw honey or agave syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp chia seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">...and whatever good stuff you have on hand! (cacao nibs, walnuts, buckwheat groats, sunflower seeds, goji berries, raisins, etc.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mix coconut milk, raw cacao powder and honey or agave syrup <em>(I either put these in the blender or put the ingredients in a jar and shake well to make sure I don't get whole blobs of cacao in the milk).</em> Chop the bananas and put in a bowl. Add the chia seeds. Pour cacao-coconut milk mixture into the bowl and add all the other good stuff you want! (<em>I always just put whatever I have on hand or whatever I'm in the mood for but I almost always end up with the following things in my breakfast: cacao nibs, walnuts, and raisins!)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And voila! A super easy power breakfast free of dairy, wheat or soy and just chockfull of whole, super foods! :)</span>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-25813377716647621262012-07-23T16:55:00.000-07:002012-07-23T16:55:58.686-07:00Quick Breakfast: Banana, Coffee & Cacao Nib Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Mister and I had a pretty rough morning today. First off, it's a Monday. That's always extra hard for us since Sundays (our only full family day in the week!) always seems to go by way too fast. Second, our Little Baby has been having problems sleeping through the night again. He's just discovered rolling over so he would roll over from his back to his tummy in his sleep and wake up shocked and frustrated! It's pretty funny, really! Aaand, he's teething. So, ya. It's been... fun. And this morning, we had to be up at 6AM (!!!) to bring the Little Baby to a skin specialist to have his darn stubborn rashes checked. So needless to say, we are both trying to stay functional today with just a couple of hours of sleep. Yay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Oh and I know I said we HAD to be up at 6AM, but I think we hit the snooze button too many times today and ended up with hardly enough time for some much-needed breakfast before we had to go. So, smoothie it is for breakfast then!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You see, I love having smoothies for breakfast. Especially on mornings like this when there's just enough time to blend and gulp down a meal before you have to get out and face the day! The thing is, I love my coffee, too. Especially after having moved to the Pacific Northwest where mornings are always (well, ALMOST always) gray and chilly, I NEED to have my hot cup of joe! So every morning, it is always a battle between having a smoothie or having a "real" breakfast for the sake of having it with coffee. <span style="font-family: Georgia;">And this is where my current favorite breakfast smoothie comes in to save the day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Banana, Coffee & Cacao Nib Smoothie</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 frozen banana</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">2 tbsp cacao nibs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1/4 cup brewed coffee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 cup soy milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp wheatgerm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1 tbsp ground flaxseed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">a drizzle of raw wild honey or agave syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Put everything into a blender, blend and serve!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>Quick tip: Whenever I brew a pot of coffee in the morning, I always brew a couple extra cups for either iced coffee for that afternoon or for this coffee smoothie the next day! I find that brewing my coffee extra strong by putting a tablespoon more of ground coffee per cup makes this smoothie or iced coffee still pretty strong even with all the extra stuff! Just pop into the fridge after coffee has cooled down and use when ready.</em></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSnSDwV8DOev2OiCZMOo2mIn3R_DVjUticXLKkhqDAz2N6gVqgO-vD6mSA13mzFYMPhxfPWIkee162cwMy4BVjnHRDrs430IviCg7vRUjfk5_y8KrUEPBV0gfJiA1cU4O3MoVp6nV7_6G/s1600/coffee+smoothie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSnSDwV8DOev2OiCZMOo2mIn3R_DVjUticXLKkhqDAz2N6gVqgO-vD6mSA13mzFYMPhxfPWIkee162cwMy4BVjnHRDrs430IviCg7vRUjfk5_y8KrUEPBV0gfJiA1cU4O3MoVp6nV7_6G/s320/coffee+smoothie.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even better in my pretty to-go mug! ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">With the flaxseed and wheatgerm, this keeps us feeling pretty full for hours and gives us a good kickstart for the day and with the superpower combination of coffee and cacao, this really never fails to perk us up and has even managed to make today's potentially dreary morning into a pretty good morning! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Happy Monday and enjoy the rest of the week, folks! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Love, light and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Earthbound Faerie</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-60505233493622942542012-07-20T00:31:00.000-07:002012-07-20T00:31:36.969-07:00Quick Vegan Meal Idea: Avocado & Vegan Coleslaw Bagel Sandwich<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This </span>summer, we get to enjoy outdoor family movies playing at the downtown park every Tuesday. Our
Little Boy LOVES it! He loves being able to head out, help me “stake out” a good spot to lay
our blanket out on, and just hang out until it gets dark enough for the movies.
It definitely makes for a fun summer evening activity!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So
the other night, I took the boys out to the park to see Happy Feet 2 (which I have to say is a great movie with a very real "the-planet-is-in-danger" message!).
The Little Boy was so excited to see it and insisted that we NEEDED to have a
pretty good spot close to the screen. Now to get a good spot though, we had to
head out there very early so we decided to just make a quick sandwich to bring out to
the park for a little picnic dinner before the movie.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, dinner had to be quick, portable and light (to make room for
the free popcorn, of course! ;p) and after a quick fridge check for what we
had, we decided to make vegan coleslaw & avocado sandwiches!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inspiration
came from a sandwich that I absolutely LOVE having at our neighbourhood café.
We live just down the street from Gilbert’s, an almost-legendary deli in Old
Bellevue that serves awesome sandwiches; so back when I was still having dairy,
I used to order their Avocado & Pepper Jack Cheese bagel sandwich almost every
other day for lunch. I would be so cranky if I didn’t have that
for lunch (it was the pregnant hormones' craving, too)! So now that I can’t have dairy and now that I actually have more
time to make our own food again, I decided to make our own version and “veganize”
it!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg39tJ84lQ48wJJzHMD9dqbY-2mVXQNhI7R0-wUjhd0Th8gGrjkmncGQaBMLUn8YVyAiiZLyX2E3yzc8tZuGn21e_DvDsK6K8N1pu8hN0a7N5EEaPIej6OH6gNvpBqY3Orl1Jb2dr5ifS/s1600/avocado+sandwich3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg39tJ84lQ48wJJzHMD9dqbY-2mVXQNhI7R0-wUjhd0Th8gGrjkmncGQaBMLUn8YVyAiiZLyX2E3yzc8tZuGn21e_DvDsK6K8N1pu8hN0a7N5EEaPIej6OH6gNvpBqY3Orl1Jb2dr5ifS/s320/avocado+sandwich3.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my inspiration: avocado & coleslaw on poppy seed bagel at Gilbert's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vegan
Coleslaw & Avocado Bagel Sandwich<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 whole wheat bagels<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2-4 tbsp Tofutti cream
cheese<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 avocado<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tomato<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vegan coleslaw:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>½ cup shredded & chopped carrots<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>½ cup shredded & chopped cabbage<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1 tbsp Vegenaise or any brand of vegan
mayo<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1 tsp white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1 tbsp maple syrup or agave syrup<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1 tbsp garlic salt<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Salt & pepper to taste</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_QTJIco29EkRZASbar47uEvtpjM_tbH6L4Qrwjg_SxryQrc6z_ILjlvce3urLoyBzvkDWAwf9g7cBjA9O2T0ifqBwFiI19caaD13vRU8cPxBqzRt9DNM1GEObhGDjGRTPtfNYwnJ8c5g/s1600/avocado+sandwich1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_QTJIco29EkRZASbar47uEvtpjM_tbH6L4Qrwjg_SxryQrc6z_ILjlvce3urLoyBzvkDWAwf9g7cBjA9O2T0ifqBwFiI19caaD13vRU8cPxBqzRt9DNM1GEObhGDjGRTPtfNYwnJ8c5g/s320/avocado+sandwich1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Start with the
coleslaw by chopping & shredding the carrots and cabbage. <em>(Now, I do have to
tell you, this was made on a very, very lazy afternoon and I have zero knife
skills so instead of “chopping and shredding”, I basically just hacked and
murdered the cabbage and carrots we had on hand! And it turned out okay. I will
have to say though, that when the Mister --who is a chef, btw! -- makes the perfect coleslaw shreds, it does end up tasting much better! I guess because
the veggies are bathed in the dressing better when they’re chopped well? I’m
not sure, but all I’m saying is that, if you have great knife skills, good for
you! If you don’t, don’t sweat it! The coleslaw will still taste great! Just
try your best to shred it as best you can! ;))<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Put cabbage and carrots
in a bowl and add the vinegar in and toss. In a separate bowl, whisk Vegenaise,
maple syrup and garlic salt together. Pour into bowl with the veggies and toss
again. Add salt & pepper to taste. <em>(What I love doing to make it easier though... I’m
telling you, this was a very lazy-friendly recipe! ;p ...is that I just put
everything in a container with a lid so that I can shake everything up
and that gets all the veggies covered in the dressing that way!)</em> Put in the
fridge for atleast 20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the meantime, cut
bagels in half and toast them. Spread “cream cheese” onto each bagel. Layer
avocado slices on top of two of the bagel halves. Sprinkle a little salt &
pepper onto the avocado slices. Add the tomato slices over the tomato then add
some of the coleslaw on top. Top with the other bagel half. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ta-da! Quick, portable
vegan dinner! Enjoy! ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYe2SXZwt4wNDtAqxZwyU0TE08UObotSilGTvUjqPQ0YmOoXIbDxYrUrEfEVZjXhSK0qJB_t4PaUaEUB34LQMd1R1fo6bh2fTdCHZcCbRXi2dW_rfydN3IXr9mDVBIglUeDLT9r2J3cbh/s1600/avocado+sandwich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYe2SXZwt4wNDtAqxZwyU0TE08UObotSilGTvUjqPQ0YmOoXIbDxYrUrEfEVZjXhSK0qJB_t4PaUaEUB34LQMd1R1fo6bh2fTdCHZcCbRXi2dW_rfydN3IXr9mDVBIglUeDLT9r2J3cbh/s320/avocado+sandwich.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our homemade "veganized" version: avocado & vegan coleslaw on whole wheat bagel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-16585621245704637112012-07-17T17:50:00.000-07:002012-07-17T17:50:44.014-07:00Well, hello, stranger! (an apology for another long hiatus and a super easy, super yummy recipe to make up for it!)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">WOW. Has it really been THAT long since my last post?!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, any other sane person, after going a full year and a half without a single word posted would probably finally admit that blogging is not for her and quit. But no, not me! The fighter in me says I can still make up for it. Besides, I've been having way too many adventures this past year and a half that I CANNOT WAIT to share!! So my guess is, there's no stopping me now (<em>except of course when real life gets in the way and blogging takes the backseat again!</em>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, to say that I got a bit “sidetracked” would be a gross understatement. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now I am not making any more excuses for neglecting this little blog of mine but let me just say, that the past year was officially THE MOST EVENTFUL year our little family has ever had.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Leave it to the Universe to throw us the best life surprises... Here's a quick rundown of the mighty BIG things that happened in just the past year:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.. we decided to close our cafe and give up being entrepreneurs for now</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
.. we decided to finally check off one of the places on our MUST TRAVEL TO list and took our Little Boy on a three-week trip to Vietnam (one of our big dreams come true!!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.. we decided to go on a loooooong vacation in the US to be with family and to see what's in store for us on this side of the world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.. we decided to stay and live in the US!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, and somewhere along the way, we had a baby!! Another beautiful baby boy! </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ng0qpiLt5lXVB16c8PI0eLXiLciyi3TOIxHgDNU5miSkOBm8eaGw-DdFv-MP0FduLrYgiZuhyVbpoBW54crG1kmcT45UPTkQHWAG6bmkEbXU_qXtQI-ck0NMkWOmnibDddmpJrXsOcOG/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ng0qpiLt5lXVB16c8PI0eLXiLciyi3TOIxHgDNU5miSkOBm8eaGw-DdFv-MP0FduLrYgiZuhyVbpoBW54crG1kmcT45UPTkQHWAG6bmkEbXU_qXtQI-ck0NMkWOmnibDddmpJrXsOcOG/s320/rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So in the span of a year and a half, our little family has gone from a family of three, living in the Philippines to a family of four, here in Washington State in the US. Big changes? Yes. HUGE changes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's actually been a little over four months now since our Little Baby joined us earthside and as hard as I tried to type down our birth story (especially before I forget all the awesome details!), life in a new country with a now 6-year-old and a little newborn baby just didn't make it easy. So while I let our beautiful birth story sit quietly in my brain for a little longer before I get it written down, here's a peek, courtesy of our amazing birth photographer friend: <a href="http://kaethejobinderphotography.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/6/baby-rain-bellevue-washington-birth-photographer-kaethejo-binder-photography">http://kaethejobinderphotography.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/6/baby-rain-bellevue-washington-birth-photographer-kaethejo-binder-photography</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I WILL be posting more, I will. I think that after about four months of getting adjusted to all the big changes in our life now, I am finally, finally starting to get the hang of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">There is so much to say, so many stories to tell, so many photos to share. But for now, as another peace offering for the long silence, let me leave you with a quick and super easy recipe for a sinful vegan chocolate dessert! I actually found this recipe in my current favorite vegan recipe book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0762437847/ref=nosim/govegan-20" target="_blank">The Vegan Diner by Julie Hasson</a> but I made several changes to the original recipe (I used a ready-made whole wheat pie shell instead of making the chocolate cookie crust, added more chocolate, used vanilla extract instead of strawberry/raspberry liquer, etc.) to make it much easier (meaning more mama-with-babies-in-the-house-friendly!) and a lot more chocolatey!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUrXyRdAIBx3VyIs3mWNRTqQR0KoNS_9BVM1dVRJS7Wv00j25lmBhjbswhuG3vTfWMA_0soTnM13SpadNSchxWqXfhBDALmzL4vjqC1c-AaaoHfrMRZcISH-P9EXLYocYE-T4x5KVX1Oh/s1600/chocolate+strawberry+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUrXyRdAIBx3VyIs3mWNRTqQR0KoNS_9BVM1dVRJS7Wv00j25lmBhjbswhuG3vTfWMA_0soTnM13SpadNSchxWqXfhBDALmzL4vjqC1c-AaaoHfrMRZcISH-P9EXLYocYE-T4x5KVX1Oh/s320/chocolate+strawberry+pie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Pie on Whole Wheat Crust</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> whole wheat 9" pie shell <em>(I used a whole wheat pie shell from </em><a href="http://whollywholesome.com/products/pie-shells.php" target="_blank"><em>Wholly Wholesome)</em></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">2 1/4 cups of dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">3/4 cup soy milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">3 tbsp all-natural vanilla extract</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">about 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, rinsed and sliced in half or quarters <em>(We used strawberries since we got a box of beautiful locally grown fresh strawberries from the Farmers' Market that morning but I would imagine that fresh raspberries would be yummy in this recipe, too!)</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Prepare and bake pie crust according to package directions. Let cool completely.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">For the filling, I made our chocolate "cream" in batches so that it's easier to melt the chocolate with the soy milk. You can do this on a stovetop or you can do it in the microwave. <em>(I am usually so against using the microwave but really, it has been so good to us especially during our little newborn's first few months so it has been a friend lately. So yes, I used the microwave.) </em>Combine 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup soy milk in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Pour in a tablespoon of the vanilla extract, stir and heat again for another 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir again until chocolate mixture turns smooth. Pour into the pie shell and top with a third of the strawberries. Make another batch of the chocolate "cream" with 3/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup soy milk and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract following the same procedures and pour on top of the berries. Put in another layer of strawberries. Repeat procedures for the last batch of chocolate "cream" and top with the rest of the strawberries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Refrigerate the pie for a couple of hours or until all the chocolate sets and firms up. Be patient!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoEf648GpcYEHCjs3XUfby9dPbPn79mkM3Twih7kre2Qnciov5HD51Z-xSsmpE0BrTZOVI98N_DkXLPMpSGQscPzLmNzQF7dndKopjdUxloh1CfxV5q3CWvaq7KrpBgf_1mXmQ0K93vVb/s1600/523891_10150913125236975_1347394187_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoEf648GpcYEHCjs3XUfby9dPbPn79mkM3Twih7kre2Qnciov5HD51Z-xSsmpE0BrTZOVI98N_DkXLPMpSGQscPzLmNzQF7dndKopjdUxloh1CfxV5q3CWvaq7KrpBgf_1mXmQ0K93vVb/s320/523891_10150913125236975_1347394187_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This was super easy to make (and super easy to consume, too!!) and really hit the spot with all the chocolate dessert cravings we've been having and it's incredible that it's dairy-free, too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">With so many other recent changes in our diet, we have come up with quite the portfolio of recipes so I imagine that this would be just the first of lots of quick, easy "green" recipes that are in this little blog's future. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And with a new baby and a new home, we really have a bunch of new stories to tell.. about everything from natural childbirth, breastfeeding, creating a pretty "green" home, natural parenting, etc etc etc. So I am VERY excited to be blogging again! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm thinking it's not going to be any easier. I am still learning how to type while nursing or babywearing after all, but I'm getting there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So yay! I am back and here's to hoping I won't have to stop blogging again! Wish me luck!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuo8c1cQI_lmfZMhSnt7SbQ2EVTQfDgVDFA61MyKk65Qsnn2CsGBu43A1GlLEoY_pLiCHSeRIV67SZFKgRpFd9YTd6Q_gdjtXM8i9MQOq3c9CemWRc9V8wWcIe7gPPSjHtRAS846rgfm5/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuo8c1cQI_lmfZMhSnt7SbQ2EVTQfDgVDFA61MyKk65Qsnn2CsGBu43A1GlLEoY_pLiCHSeRIV67SZFKgRpFd9YTd6Q_gdjtXM8i9MQOq3c9CemWRc9V8wWcIe7gPPSjHtRAS846rgfm5/s320/photo1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Love, light and blessings,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Earthbound Faerie</span><br />earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-50750678479466549502011-02-28T03:29:00.000-08:002011-02-28T03:29:05.315-08:00A Peace Offering: Raw Dark Carob Truffle Tart on Living Coconut-Walnut Crust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO-eOj7FRf8y6Z0VCwsjfet-iupX5C5JjXxxA9tSFa602XQwcH3BBT4-Siq98zIOuKsCrSQ5gUYpZpTBfOBayfL5CBUKoVoLe92ZMCF0s5iIFa-7u0MYCsVJCYx3ixH2npCeE4GO_jzrO/s1600/RIMG7746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO-eOj7FRf8y6Z0VCwsjfet-iupX5C5JjXxxA9tSFa602XQwcH3BBT4-Siq98zIOuKsCrSQ5gUYpZpTBfOBayfL5CBUKoVoLe92ZMCF0s5iIFa-7u0MYCsVJCYx3ixH2npCeE4GO_jzrO/s320/RIMG7746.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw Dark Carob Truffle Tart on Living Coconut & Walnut Crust<br />
(recipe way below!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so I'm back from yet another long hiatus. As much as it pains me to admit it, I don't think I can ever be a diligent blogger. I try though. I try.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I'm not making excuses so please consider this post more of an explanation, or actually better yet, just a narration of what I've been up to lately and what's been keeping me insanely busy these past few weeks.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This February, the Mister and I actually made real one of our long-term dreams: an organic, sustainable cafe. :) We are so very blessed and lucky, and truly very, very grateful for this chance. We decided to call it the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Cafe-at-the-Pinto-Art-Museum/169155659797262">Earth Cafe</a> because really, as cheesy as it might sound, the Earth Mother and all she gives us was really what inspired us to create and open this cafe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp5-611YO8uJx1Go5VfPp7bmOkEgVqBPFaV9LIawXxEHOZUTpAXfovr7vh0ffiSfBW-rogyPlUyng4YV5bliWRzhoHNek0ARr9or3pL5-kkRMV3qCluqHB1vG59Zjb7VrfOt4WfN2Ax6f/s1600/RIMG7483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp5-611YO8uJx1Go5VfPp7bmOkEgVqBPFaV9LIawXxEHOZUTpAXfovr7vh0ffiSfBW-rogyPlUyng4YV5bliWRzhoHNek0ARr9or3pL5-kkRMV3qCluqHB1vG59Zjb7VrfOt4WfN2Ax6f/s320/RIMG7483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We plan to make the Earth Cafe, not just a place to get good organic, healthy food, but also a venue for educating or showing more people that there are lots of sustainable dining options for us all, if only we made a bit more of an effort. It doesn't even have to be an extreme change in the way we all eat. If I had my way, I would serve only vegan or vegetarian dishes, but we didn't want to impose that on everybody so we'll be playing around with our menu a lot, offering lots of sustainable options: free-range chicken, fish, gourmet vegetarian dishes! We try to make everything from scratch: bread, pasta, all our sauces, etc etc.! And we try to make use of only organic, natural and local ingredients.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was a lot of work (it still is and will continue to be!) but we are so happy with what we have created so far. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But anyway, so that's what we've been up to. So you see? I wasn't just being too lazy to blog. :p</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljBAoFCTGBo9huvpDKHIQWu0-ceKngFOFkFRa3i-YvY67FrIRpUTa9n4LASlv3LmPDZuD48HM_-AiFYKNq7o5EHOFV8HhEItRZm515DvwGnBoZ5pEJtoAaqRy9WNGCqspk4ODOVesYJ_w/s1600/RIMG7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljBAoFCTGBo9huvpDKHIQWu0-ceKngFOFkFRa3i-YvY67FrIRpUTa9n4LASlv3LmPDZuD48HM_-AiFYKNq7o5EHOFV8HhEItRZm515DvwGnBoZ5pEJtoAaqRy9WNGCqspk4ODOVesYJ_w/s320/RIMG7677.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our brand spankin' new "green" kitchen! <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh and apart from the cafe, we've also been busy "greening up" our kitchen! With the help of my very talented sister (who's about to graduate with a degree in Interior Design -- I am such a proud sister hen!), we now have a brand spankin' new sunny little kitchen! It's very open with lots of windows and sky lights to let the light in (we never ever have to turn on the lights except at night!) and also to let the breeze in so it hardly ever gets too hot. We have little pots for herbs that always find its way into our meals and we now have more space to make breads, pasta, and all sorts of stuff in! Needless to say, the Mister (who's a chef!) and I have been having way too much fun in the kitchen lately!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y6fzADvq3Ik4vCMT1twqj9dmecK62FwJIJagWINlLE2zfUEG35ckqcOrXbfYZNCwyBzcEEuggvM7lsjILHQ0QxPPkXbdZk8WeT8-q_Z6k7qpnDRVZR33W5ESHLCObI_543t00GcGnX6q/s1600/RIMG7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y6fzADvq3Ik4vCMT1twqj9dmecK62FwJIJagWINlLE2zfUEG35ckqcOrXbfYZNCwyBzcEEuggvM7lsjILHQ0QxPPkXbdZk8WeT8-q_Z6k7qpnDRVZR33W5ESHLCObI_543t00GcGnX6q/s320/RIMG7503.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He's been experimenting with all sorts of baked goods like whole wheat vegan cranberry orange muffins, whole wheat oatmeal raisin cookies, whole wheat bread, and lots lots more! I, on the other hand, have been going crazy, experimenting with all kinds of vegan, vegetarian and mostly living food recipes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfAyG7NkqwnxKE-ZZNdDNmIUCCW3DwQXdOCnRQsWH8NxfJKT94l8FMu1_nN6odJdMYYdeQn8xzk4u0L9X2EYPyZbMrD4r8xouofzWfBXKZTxeWifeXlJj5-gz7AEeShBLo6Mg49VGieW7/s1600/RIMG7506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfAyG7NkqwnxKE-ZZNdDNmIUCCW3DwQXdOCnRQsWH8NxfJKT94l8FMu1_nN6odJdMYYdeQn8xzk4u0L9X2EYPyZbMrD4r8xouofzWfBXKZTxeWifeXlJj5-gz7AEeShBLo6Mg49VGieW7/s320/RIMG7506.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the last week alone, our lunch and dinner menu at home have consisted of:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms with Herbed Rice (vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Coconut- and Almond-crusted Tofu in Ginger Honey (vegetarian that's super easy to make vegan, just replace the honey with agave nectar!)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Living Banana & Cacao Chip Ice Cream (raw, vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Spinach- and Feta Cheese-stuffed Mushrooms with Homemade Caesar Salad (vegetarian)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Eggplant Tempura (vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Jicama, Papaya & Pomelo Salad in Citrus Mint Vinaigrette (vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Raw Buckwheat Crispies with Bananas & Blueberries in Carob-Almond Milk (raw, vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Spicy Potato Salad (vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Tofu Mexicali Scramble (vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>- Living Carob-Cashew Freezer Fudge (raw, vegan)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">- Spinach in White Wine & Cream Sauce on Organic Penne (vegan</span>)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VtThlFjaLlkMh9AfWfDAyeE4QVfsJvATGNtemXePbVUBE7lm5wZwzliWvyWlUhnwr0AY_9UnGJ1HZQiVODupHBKUM9ydQBPqYnKsX1GTaqzEl9fLw0B5aUzDZl6ZaMWkG4PAXqiUwRSi/s1600/RIMG7732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VtThlFjaLlkMh9AfWfDAyeE4QVfsJvATGNtemXePbVUBE7lm5wZwzliWvyWlUhnwr0AY_9UnGJ1HZQiVODupHBKUM9ydQBPqYnKsX1GTaqzEl9fLw0B5aUzDZl6ZaMWkG4PAXqiUwRSi/s320/RIMG7732.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade caesar salad with soy breadsticks,<br />
spinach- and feta-stuffed mushrooms and<br />
a glass of organic Chateau Guiot Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The reason I listed all the dishes down was definitely not to bore you all, but I do plan on using this post to remind me to post the recipes I used for all these dishes once I have the time. They all came out delicious and even the Mister is now considering going vegan -- still the single best thing we can all do to lessen our carbon footprints.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Most of the recipes I used came from Ani Phyo's Raw Food Kitchen and Kim Barnouin's Skinny Bitch -- books I considered my food bible these past few weeks! The thing was, since these books are written in the US, not all of the ingredients the recipes require were available (or in many cases, affordable) back here in the Philippines so I did have to tweak most of the recipes a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCwxf77TnkpPi4I6mSI11Vcj5W_O4n9xdSKympWlTLhrJh3av0IyHiEMXaVeQq_Ny2iPd6lRG9Ga3FABN3z3bkTWK9xJ-Ku5QbyLopryS9bcZBYTzcfdh-9GEcxtLgodBtZU7rH2NSe3n/s1600/RIMG7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCwxf77TnkpPi4I6mSI11Vcj5W_O4n9xdSKympWlTLhrJh3av0IyHiEMXaVeQq_Ny2iPd6lRG9Ga3FABN3z3bkTWK9xJ-Ku5QbyLopryS9bcZBYTzcfdh-9GEcxtLgodBtZU7rH2NSe3n/s320/RIMG7727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jicama, papaya and pomelo salad with a citrus mint vinaigrette</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And while all the dishes came out yummy, there's a living food recipe from Jennifer Cornbleet's Raw For Dessert that I tried that really stood out! I actually don't have much time to blog still and the only reason I'm putting off my errands for after this post, is really just to share this awesome recipe with you all! It is way too good to keep to myself!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The recipe in the book is actually for a Chocolate Truffle Tart. But I was running low on raw cacao powder and I had really fallen in love with the flavor of carob now so I made it a Carob Truffle Tart instead, just by replacing the cacao powder with carob.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjPNGPEGnxgni1bUk0R0Jz6-vZovOu1adqJqOvbXiWHErgJT9Z1v0Jb3YwtBmEi3dpYGq6GTf7D_F6Rd1R2AcSEY95KjjHAvVJXjOQ9o0L891n5QatAamzmcsAWhl7X6X6_88orR4kdCs/s1600/RIMG7739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjPNGPEGnxgni1bUk0R0Jz6-vZovOu1adqJqOvbXiWHErgJT9Z1v0Jb3YwtBmEi3dpYGq6GTf7D_F6Rd1R2AcSEY95KjjHAvVJXjOQ9o0L891n5QatAamzmcsAWhl7X6X6_88orR4kdCs/s320/RIMG7739.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Carob Truffle Tart</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">makes a 9-in. tart that serves about 8 to 12 slices (depending on how big your slices are!)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the crust:</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup raw walnuts (unsoaked)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">6 pitted medjool dates (I soak my dates for about 10-15 minutes to make it a bit softer and easier to process)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXDgtvr-Ib7e3FfH7V_MfoLTg6EizEvZG4EDRcllS-Rv_Y9MsDyNy2ejEhTJSQ-XZIMq27ZZIaBDCQIEfyPRyxiOtnJvCNTy49WbX50LJVbNzERspiUNhlpB3V-9Ej8CgzW0W9PU63glw/s1600/RIMG7738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXDgtvr-Ib7e3FfH7V_MfoLTg6EizEvZG4EDRcllS-Rv_Y9MsDyNy2ejEhTJSQ-XZIMq27ZZIaBDCQIEfyPRyxiOtnJvCNTy49WbX50LJVbNzERspiUNhlpB3V-9Ej8CgzW0W9PU63glw/s320/RIMG7738.JPG" width="240" /></a><em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></em></div></span></em><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Process coconut, walnuts and salt until finely ground, then add the dates and continue to process until mixture begins to stick together. Press crust onto a 9-in. pie tart and pat down firmly. </span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the truffle filling:</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups raw carob powder</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups raw agave syrup (agave syrup here in Manila is so expensive! So I substituted 1/2 cup medjool dates for the extra 1/2 cup of agave syrup - came out fine!)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2/3 cup virgin coconut oil</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a pinch salt</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Process all truffle filling ingredients until smooth. Pour the truffle mixture into the crust and spread it evenly. It should have a toffee-like texture and a bit of a sheen from the coconut oil. Put the tart in the fridge for atleast 2 hours before serving!</span></em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I swear, this has been the best thing I have ever made, raw or cooked. Even my dad, who usually refuses to eat whatever I make since he knows it's mostly raw or vegan, loved it! The entire tart is supposed to keep for 5 days in the fridge but this one was wiped out in two days! (I ate most of it!). Do keep in mind though that it still is a very rich dessert (remember how much coconut oil you put?). The good news is that it's full of vitamins and enzymes that it's still much, much better than its cooked versions!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love this recipe and can see myself making this every single week! It is THAT good and super easy to make! Probably the easiest raw recipe I have ever come across. It took me less than 30 minutes to make this, and only had to wait a couple of hours before we can eat it!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJzIWF0wWZmhiS7pmdhNXfroJ5YJjsm6lPwAaLcrUz6J9kOAM0DUIZ_LCvoBKJlwHmdptxHJylRhQJ-UH_ZiJJgdghdBFbtJY4GTFAkufsaQkawm0rHw6ZSx6l7mfY3479_cFGkgONql/s1600/RIMG7744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJzIWF0wWZmhiS7pmdhNXfroJ5YJjsm6lPwAaLcrUz6J9kOAM0DUIZ_LCvoBKJlwHmdptxHJylRhQJ-UH_ZiJJgdghdBFbtJY4GTFAkufsaQkawm0rHw6ZSx6l7mfY3479_cFGkgONql/s320/RIMG7744.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'll be posting more yummy recipes soon! But for now, consider this a peace offering. I feel guilty for not having been able to post much lately but I do hope this recipe makes up for it. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-80127345386423103842011-01-07T16:06:00.057-08:002011-01-12T20:24:53.217-08:00Writing from Paradise ...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToF4ZRZE7urOWD50KrmkxBKxy3AZ3cjMk98eMCU68NePFCvj4ueErACEMox0nzl0dZ0Xq5GdPFoFvBxdSJ4UxgOUcTDWXau7P4N-WcCxyrFFfpBKtV_R_wgUzkb_dS_sV4ytxzAbtXoxZ/s1600/RIMG6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToF4ZRZE7urOWD50KrmkxBKxy3AZ3cjMk98eMCU68NePFCvj4ueErACEMox0nzl0dZ0Xq5GdPFoFvBxdSJ4UxgOUcTDWXau7P4N-WcCxyrFFfpBKtV_R_wgUzkb_dS_sV4ytxzAbtXoxZ/s320/RIMG6357.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, I get to check off one more thing on my list of places to visit before I die. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26rgfJRkoOe3FkC0powh-7MvRqUISuBLydtURVJL-ZLukkGKuZ63AGwqYSkroKzrPpl-zRA3Fd2UXIfEpt5tZQ7HwPPDHsdmOelwdQt7bv5ia8Qh4exv-n-MVL08ICuPERcmndTm4sAeZ/s1600/RIMG6223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26rgfJRkoOe3FkC0powh-7MvRqUISuBLydtURVJL-ZLukkGKuZ63AGwqYSkroKzrPpl-zRA3Fd2UXIfEpt5tZQ7HwPPDHsdmOelwdQt7bv5ia8Qh4exv-n-MVL08ICuPERcmndTm4sAeZ/s320/RIMG6223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always wanted to see El Nido in Palawan. I have seen way too many photos of its picturesque bays and limestone cliffs and all the empty beaches and islands, heard so much about its super clear waters and friendly fishes which makes it a great spot for diving or even just snorkelling, and I was really drawn to its sleepy town and the kind of slow days we can have and spend there. So, since we owed the Little Boy a “holiday trip” because we were working on Christmas Day and worked through the rest of the holidays; and because our last two weeks became the busiest, most stressful week we have ever had and we were in dire need of a quiet break just to rest, recharge our batteries and spend time with the Little Boy, we decided (albeit last minute!) to finally go and visit El Nido.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnyg3iu8D3ILfggHTHKacu4vQUcM1suPYDv6lXkHe0JhMmifL3k9IigdTJ02fURrVI8UyK1Aet0D4YnBHIpZiBjkmBSrJUp5wNQ8FgQswfkZbfJ5OIEYVzr92XvvFZGXkh7ehdr7z8tct/s1600/RIMG6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnyg3iu8D3ILfggHTHKacu4vQUcM1suPYDv6lXkHe0JhMmifL3k9IigdTJ02fURrVI8UyK1Aet0D4YnBHIpZiBjkmBSrJUp5wNQ8FgQswfkZbfJ5OIEYVzr92XvvFZGXkh7ehdr7z8tct/s320/RIMG6377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So after a flight to Puerto Princesa, a night’s stopover in the city and a very long, very uncomfortable van ride (more on this later!), we are finally in paradise that is El Nido. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bxNvIKNlr9jyxIvGucaZcqbVJyqC-83MvAMTVBvKm3ShY7Z5UfpsayiMgOGr3NX4fnxKVyLn3ZUrxoDhH0RNfUv-44s4kD31l9j7RWQm-3QgVNO_I-lz0CggHkO90KiWKQF0pdDT68sc/s1600/RIMG6278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bxNvIKNlr9jyxIvGucaZcqbVJyqC-83MvAMTVBvKm3ShY7Z5UfpsayiMgOGr3NX4fnxKVyLn3ZUrxoDhH0RNfUv-44s4kD31l9j7RWQm-3QgVNO_I-lz0CggHkO90KiWKQF0pdDT68sc/s320/RIMG6278.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We're actually on Day 4 in Paradise now and we have been enjoying it so much that we’re already dreading the thought of leaving in a couple of days. We haven’t really done much these past few days except for very exhausting activities like feasting on seafood and fruit shakes and fresh coconuts all day, and staring at the water and the views that we never tire of, and listening to the waves, and laying out on the beach, reading a book in a hammock, and the occasional island visits to swim and snorkel and say hi to El Nido’s friendly fishes… and it’s bliss. Spending time in El Nido and having days of doing nothing is such a welcome respite after a very stressful year that I felt went by way too fast</span>. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71vNF8rOUljkL-6Mx7LyOMf1G4MINaF8b-E1P3d6SXtRNBNHrxTRnhZ-1zAZMMSvJ-G5-cK9HYKkr0n-fp_mhRkt9KwNPmWEwh4_eEfAh42e-z9pg9baPmIN0H6faZ8f27FVD37Cmj961/s1600/RIMG6392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71vNF8rOUljkL-6Mx7LyOMf1G4MINaF8b-E1P3d6SXtRNBNHrxTRnhZ-1zAZMMSvJ-G5-cK9HYKkr0n-fp_mhRkt9KwNPmWEwh4_eEfAh42e-z9pg9baPmIN0H6faZ8f27FVD37Cmj961/s320/RIMG6392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpVmQ2r6GjOGQa3sSWJfBwKy31SrNqKG3sr00R_XxwUaVkmZw-f7K7KhRYJ6PW_Qj4apwm4hprIHZdGCTjU4_iEa6vXvgHpWXgHSQiXA25k0biqZyxxWgCNzwZ1eX9Ue9-cvOQHyYv5_Y/s1600/RIMG6239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpVmQ2r6GjOGQa3sSWJfBwKy31SrNqKG3sr00R_XxwUaVkmZw-f7K7KhRYJ6PW_Qj4apwm4hprIHZdGCTjU4_iEa6vXvgHpWXgHSQiXA25k0biqZyxxWgCNzwZ1eX9Ue9-cvOQHyYv5_Y/s320/RIMG6239.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our only setback with this trip so far was a fever the Little Boy developed when we got here. We were supposed to spend just 4 days in El Nido, but because we couldn’t really head out to the islands on our first couple of days since we had to let the Little Boy rest, we ended up extending and adding a couple more days to our itinerary and I think and feel that it was the best thing that could’ve happened (Not the fever, of course! Good thing Little Boy’s okay now. El Nido’s Dr. Reyes made a house visit to see him and said it was just a case of cold and fatigue – probably from the 7-hour van ride! And that he just needed to rest and breathe in some fresh sea air.) The thing is, the Mister and I are so used to the “let’s-see-and-do-as-much-as-we-can-possibly-fit-in-a-few-days” kind of travelling, that the concept of not having any set itinerary planned for each and every day of our trip seemed a bit alien to us. Our usual mindset is: since we’re here, let’s make the most out of it and see everything that we could possibly see. But when we were forced to stay in town and in our rooms because the Little Boy had to rest, it made us appreciate the “art of doing nothing”. To be able to wake up in the morning to the sound of waves and fresh sea air, with nothing to do but stare at the bay and not having to worry if you’re running late for island hopping or a breakfast reservation is just refreshing.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRFFsnbckU157kzBb_9TIRcLhZhhrvZd5H7z1OTvkTJFJQnSX53mPF-a_PzU6R953r_h72ikncLCjUBq5LwVZIKT7ERSPJZdVRKVpQU9HYWpO7d57mjIh2O80W4cHNgzG5VgL2KlEZN_1/s1600/RIMG6326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRFFsnbckU157kzBb_9TIRcLhZhhrvZd5H7z1OTvkTJFJQnSX53mPF-a_PzU6R953r_h72ikncLCjUBq5LwVZIKT7ERSPJZdVRKVpQU9HYWpO7d57mjIh2O80W4cHNgzG5VgL2KlEZN_1/s320/RIMG6326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, the weather seems perfect. It’s 7am and the skies are clear, and with the Little Boy feeling so much better now, I think we’re finally going to head out for some island-hopping today. Today, we finally get to see the famous lagoons of Miniloc, and a few other islands for snorkelling and just lazing under the sun. But who knows? The view is perfect from across our room’s balcony again and that hammock by the beach looks pretty inviting right now so we might just end up doing absolutely nothing again today and the day will still be perfect.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. I realize that in one of my last posts, I made a promise to blog more diligently. Obviously, I haven't made good on that promise. :( And I do apologize. I honestly don't know what made me think I would have the time to blog through the holidays especially since it turned out to be a complete whirlwind for us -- easily the busiest, craziest, most stressful month we had in 2010. It's over now though and while I won't be making any more promises that I might not be able to keep again, I will atleast try to blog as often as I can, every chance I get since I definitely have soooo much more to blog about!</span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-9082846492230466862010-11-27T20:05:00.000-08:002010-11-29T13:03:30.314-08:00Loving Hot Yoga in Chilly Washington<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When I was looking for a yoga studio near Kent where we were staying with family during our visit to Washington, I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.hotyogainc.com/federalway/">Hot Yoga Inc</a>.'s website and hit the jackpot when I saw that they were offering a "10 for $10" introductory promo to first-timers at any of their studios. A dollar for a class!!! Unbelievable!!! There was simply no excuse not to enroll. Back here in Manila, I had been making excuses about classes being too expensive (with single class rates starting at P550+) and that I lived too far from the nearest studio. With Hot Yoga Inc.'s branch in Federal Way just a 10- to 15-minute drive from Kent, there was no escape!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk2nvnssquupM4j9ejKaF8naigFe0NkrBfVVXImUnuoTp3ikGKBIFy69pRI7YZgyGH7rpbARw2cPuLkDMgg44XzPFzfHMYP1hPJoQGnTqSSc_m6_GUCVjjt5ofodViGZFeN5TK7o0btFN/s1600/RIMG3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk2nvnssquupM4j9ejKaF8naigFe0NkrBfVVXImUnuoTp3ikGKBIFy69pRI7YZgyGH7rpbARw2cPuLkDMgg44XzPFzfHMYP1hPJoQGnTqSSc_m6_GUCVjjt5ofodViGZFeN5TK7o0btFN/s320/RIMG3407.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hot Yoga is basically just a series of yoga postures done in a heated room. It doesn't necessarily have to follow Bikram Yoga's strict series of the 26 postures, but most Hot Yoga studios still do anyway. At Hot Yoga Inc., you can choose either the Hot Hatha Yoga classes (60 or 90mins) which basically follows the Bikram Yoga series or the 60-minute Power Yoga class. </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Basically, the difference between the two is that when you choose the Hot Hatha, it follows the set 26 poses from the original Bikram Yoga series all performed twice plus the two pranayama breathing exercices (one at the beginning and one to close the class). At first, it seems so easy since it's not a flowing yoga where everything is done in a flowing sequence so you do get breaks in between postures. The thing is, the postures are very challenging, especially the balancing postures and you'd have to stay in the poses for longer periods of time. Often, I would find myself with my knees shaking and just wanting to collapse and sit out the rest of the class.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuT1-uhvLmn62mIT3NQCD2mkSNuZo4CrLIQEFRcx8UXSIOf0if2aKXKsUlnpje2Fv5Rbd5PXVgLQfyTtv_U-CzcsBfREfp-T4ggt02gSMTn-DNV-lMwjZ5XYFIDgqhCNvQovsitLs9_F9/s1600/RIMG3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuT1-uhvLmn62mIT3NQCD2mkSNuZo4CrLIQEFRcx8UXSIOf0if2aKXKsUlnpje2Fv5Rbd5PXVgLQfyTtv_U-CzcsBfREfp-T4ggt02gSMTn-DNV-lMwjZ5XYFIDgqhCNvQovsitLs9_F9/s320/RIMG3404.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the reception area at Hot Yoga Inc. in Federal Way</td></tr>
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Power Yoga on the other hand would be a flowing sequence which won't require you to hold poses for too long. I didn't get to try this at Hot Yoga Inc. but I would imagine from previous ashtanga / vinyasa classes I've tried elsewhere that it would be made up mostly of sun salutations and basically, more of a workout than the Hatha since you'll be moving continuously. I wanted to try the Hot Power Yoga class but just didn't have time. The people I met there though kept giving me mixed reviews on it. Some people liked the Power Yoga more since it's only 60 minutes so even if it's a lot more physically taxing, it's over sooner than the Hatha. But I also got to chat to several people who still liked the Hatha class more since they feel like they get more from it than the Power Yoga class because the poses are a lot more challenging.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7lZIUmUDld3w4J29yPpG0pUUvzoMq1EI9am7j-vpg1dluhrCY5Mw1njW4e-OW_GEQilfzWCe9RUPWBfnJ8qps3CXgYjZGtuiTvKClwX_cNfOkeg098DZZE_mUDFV5e7ckiWsn_AHtZaK/s1600/RIMG3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7lZIUmUDld3w4J29yPpG0pUUvzoMq1EI9am7j-vpg1dluhrCY5Mw1njW4e-OW_GEQilfzWCe9RUPWBfnJ8qps3CXgYjZGtuiTvKClwX_cNfOkeg098DZZE_mUDFV5e7ckiWsn_AHtZaK/s320/RIMG3406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the heated studio to the left and the shower & changing rooms <br />
at the end of the corridor</td></tr>
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My first class at Hot Yoga Inc. was super exhausting and I almost didn't make it thru the end of the class! I used to go to Bikram Yoga in Eastwood but it had been months since the last time I went so the intense heat in the room and the challenging balancing postures took a bit of getting used to all over again. And I guess what makes it harder to do Hot Yoga in Washington is the cold weather. Doing Bikram Yoga back here in Manila is just like doing yoga on a hot summer day. I remember a few months back, when I was too lazy to drive down to Eastwood, I would just do the same 26 postures inside our house with no electric fan turned on and I would sweat buckets still - sometimes even more that I sweat off when I go to the studio. When you're in Washington though, your body gets used to the chilly weather so the heat inside the studio brings more of a shock to your body than it does back here.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After one class, I noticed that right after savasana, a lot of the people who couldn't stand the heat anymore just stood up and left to go out. When I finished my savasana and got out of the studio, I found several of the people in the class just walking around the parking lot with their shirts off in the cold and it was just a funny sight: half-naked men and women in their yoga shorts & sports bras just walking around in the empty parking lot, drenched in sweat! </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpzcd0L6yJKl9WZRPyW7OXLSjSqaaixDp7yLg8Mm9laJ-U_TyGaHw0jOgNLOjbUaTAN0CROXxKS9Yw_ZnP-gb6jpHBW95Lfl4AMYFdUxAf6NCbNmScdXyWcVO7SeZEh8LscHF5w6o5BH2/s1600/RIMG3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpzcd0L6yJKl9WZRPyW7OXLSjSqaaixDp7yLg8Mm9laJ-U_TyGaHw0jOgNLOjbUaTAN0CROXxKS9Yw_ZnP-gb6jpHBW95Lfl4AMYFdUxAf6NCbNmScdXyWcVO7SeZEh8LscHF5w6o5BH2/s320/RIMG3402.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yoga clothes and accessories for sale</td></tr>
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What's great about the heat though is that it loosens up your muscles so much that it facilitates stretching more and lets you be more flexible with your body than you usually are without the heat. And because you sweat tons, it's a great way to flush toxins out of your body! </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And that's basically what Hot Yoga promises. According to their flyer, Hot Yoga's Heat Therapy <em>builds strength </em>(check!), <em>improves balance </em>(half-check! I never did get to hold those one-leg standing poses for its intended duration! :s), <em>increases flexibility </em>(check! I can now touch my head to my thighs when doing the standing forward bend -- YAY!), <em>relieves stress </em>(check! Because your mind is so focused on making your body hold the postures, it really does let your mind forget about everything else and lets your mind rest from all outside stress even for just 90 minutes!)<em>, helps you lose weight </em>(only a half-check! I know I could've lost a lot more weight if I didn't always find myself looking for a good lunch right after the class! Boo!), <em>helps you release toxins </em>(check!).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSGhXf5ghdtVxoulZrU0Kf3wJ9kmPp8m1t3XLUCzCJD2d88wKA8BAl1D6a7SoE_SAVJ93akS73Glc6JmELtnbkhdiAgCPoiWsV3qsgYA7o-jtjz4Gq6SiE_vn6IBe32q316mXEOvQ3NgF/s1600/RIMG3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSGhXf5ghdtVxoulZrU0Kf3wJ9kmPp8m1t3XLUCzCJD2d88wKA8BAl1D6a7SoE_SAVJ93akS73Glc6JmELtnbkhdiAgCPoiWsV3qsgYA7o-jtjz4Gq6SiE_vn6IBe32q316mXEOvQ3NgF/s320/RIMG3403.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love Hot Yoga. I'd keep going everyday if only there was a studio closer to our house. The first few classes are always the most challenging but one thing I also learned from Hot Yoga is super determination. I learned that if you really put you mind into making your body do something, it's possible even if you don't think you're flexible at all. Even I suprise myself sometimes with the postures I can actually do! I always leave Hot Yoga a lot more energized than when I came in. And as exhausting as the classes are, it always leaves me feeling fantastic all day!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hot Yoga Inc.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>31839 Gateway Center Blvd S</em></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Federal Way, WA 98003 (p) (253) 528-0880</em></span><br />
<a href="http://www.hotyogainc.com/federalway/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>http://www.hotyogainc.com/federalway/</em></span></a>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-80801117688924418382010-11-26T18:26:00.000-08:002010-11-29T13:04:09.899-08:00Back from another hiatus!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The universe works in the funniest ways.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iwa8CSfMvf9XEMxbXXf7mfZ6MOH8SfKEZp_uQdxERXfG4791SJJc7COYnMCD9VbE9Do0Rz52Cu6FClVWbrvWsteXNRtzQvsNjxT9jgsyFGfoWNQhYeK5D-IgfwcN7ImhLYpFwCKFmfZi/s1600/RIMG3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iwa8CSfMvf9XEMxbXXf7mfZ6MOH8SfKEZp_uQdxERXfG4791SJJc7COYnMCD9VbE9Do0Rz52Cu6FClVWbrvWsteXNRtzQvsNjxT9jgsyFGfoWNQhYeK5D-IgfwcN7ImhLYpFwCKFmfZi/s320/RIMG3151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mister and I had been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff lately and we were getting pretty burnt out when we got a call from his family in Seattle asking us to visit very soon since my dear father-in-law was recently ill and during that time didn't seem like he was getting any better. Of course, the immediate thought bubble was: <em>"Wow, when it rains, it really does pour!".</em> We were of course terribly worried, so we took our chances and tried to book tickets and in no time, we were booked for a flight that leaves in a couple of days and barely had time to pack and fix things at work before we had to leave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So in a rush, we left all reservations, recipes and <em>bilins </em>to my family and our staff and packed and left for what was supposed to be just a two week-long visit to Seattle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the plane on the way to Seattle, I was already thankful for the time off and the extra time I'd have on my hands to spend with family and finally be able to read atleast a couple of the books that have been piling on my bedside table; experiment with more raw food recipes; do yoga daily; and was really looking forward to finally being able to post all my blog backlog from so many of our recent trips and green adventures. What made me think I'd have time to do all those things is beyond me now. Of course, no blogging happened. And as hard as I tried, I didn't even get to read a single page from any of the books I brought with me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did get to do so many other things though. Apart from the time we happily spent with family, I did get to enroll at <a href="http://www.hotyogainc.com/federalway/">Hot Yoga in Federal Way</a> and was able to go to class almost daily (something I could never do back here since the nearest yoga studio is about an hour away!)... I also went gaga over how beautiful organic veggies and fruits in Washington are and how easily available raw natural food is so the Mister and I ended up cooking up a storm there and making and experimenting with more new dishes than we ever have back home... I was also able to finally fix my body clock and am happy to say that we sleep normal hours now, no longer going to bed way past midnight and waking up a little before noon; and basically, I was just happy for the breather that the Mister and I along with the Little Boy got from this visit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFycYtH2SfMq2WjTuLofDMVYBaf0eDEszf_wbF39DOgZQCHGhaAAbFhOdqzB1bJ59cEZpSWb2QdsafqKs1bY-0yo5VYwh4yPjzfchuER_A4qr_qGSYApt0gsxjRReHFrSqryiSc7dU37V/s1600/RIMG3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFycYtH2SfMq2WjTuLofDMVYBaf0eDEszf_wbF39DOgZQCHGhaAAbFhOdqzB1bJ59cEZpSWb2QdsafqKs1bY-0yo5VYwh4yPjzfchuER_A4qr_qGSYApt0gsxjRReHFrSqryiSc7dU37V/s320/RIMG3408.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful fresh organic fall produce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptIEncQIfBINSY6-YqsOszD_pIW1qqU9VTont4DSNjTOd80C8EVieXGPAYUgG2dSmH2Cb93VgH3jjg8bnH3JDLcMd7qyVPOgnzZht1flfsUIODhLcvsHTUQPsSXzlTp4jd8m0fNmX-v1v/s1600/RIMG3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptIEncQIfBINSY6-YqsOszD_pIW1qqU9VTont4DSNjTOd80C8EVieXGPAYUgG2dSmH2Cb93VgH3jjg8bnH3JDLcMd7qyVPOgnzZht1flfsUIODhLcvsHTUQPsSXzlTp4jd8m0fNmX-v1v/s320/RIMG3398.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a raw food dinner we prepared in Seattle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best news, however, was that when we got there, my dear father-in-law was no longer ill and was just getting better and better each day and in no time, was back to his daily laps in the gym pool and watching football like he never even got sick at all! It was like the Universe just made an excuse to get us there for literally a breath of fresh air and a dose of positive energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Washington was gorgeous at the time of our visit, too. It was my first fall in the US and I was just amazed and overwhelmed by its beauty: the trees with their red, orange and pink leaves; the beautifully-shaped fallen leaves that still looked just as beautiful covering the streets and the sidewalks as they were when they were still clinging on to their branches; the gorgeous views of snow-capped Mt. Rainier from just about anywhere; the calm lakes and the sounds; and just how crisp and fresh the air was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, my lovely in-laws were such gracious hosts and took us to more wonderful places to see more of Washington's beauty. We went to <a href="http://www.leavenworth.org/modules/pages/index.php?pageid=1">Leavenworth</a> for its little Bavarian village that makes you feel like you're in a fairytale; we visited Stevens Pass to make a snowman and throw snowballs; we went to gorgeous <a href="http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/">Snoqualmie</a> with its trails & waterfalls; Alki Beach for a grand buffet at <a href="http://www.saltys.com/seattle/">Salty's</a> and the best view of Seattle and the Puget Sound; and just saw so many incredible places while we were there.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">faerietales come to life at Leavenworth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our Little Boy's first snowman!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from Salty's at Alki Beach</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our own, we rented <a href="http://www.seattlevacationapartments.com/308.html">a cozy little apartment at St. John's</a> in Capitol Hill in Seattle for a few nights and explored downtown and its many vegetarian, vegan and raw food cafes! We went for a full Vegan Happy Hour at <a href="http://www.plumbistroseattle.com/">Plum Bistro</a>; a lovely vegetarian lunch at <a href="http://www.cafeflora.com/">Cafe Flora</a>; bought colorful organic fruits & veggies from <a href="http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/">Pike Place Market</a>; had a deliciously spicy Thai vegan dinner at <a href="http://arayasplace.com/">Araya's</a> at the University District; tried raw nachos, yummy cacao tortes and smoothies at <a href="http://generationthrive.com/">Thrive</a> and more raw desserts and chai tea lattes at <a href="http://chacocanyoncafe.com/">Chaco Canyon</a> and <a href="http://www.healeo.com/">Healeo</a>. We also met Kelly of <a href="http://seattlerawfood.com/index.php">Seattle Raw Food</a> and she gave us super useful tips & easy recipes and made us yummy raw treats like tacos, pizza and those carob fudge brownies that were just too delicious! While I am a pescetarian at the moment (I cannot give up seafood & fish just yet -- especially with all the salmon & clam chowder Washington has to offer!!), we did have a lot of full vegan days while we were in Capitol Hill and it felt great! We didn't even have to try so hard to look for full vegan meals because they were so readily available!</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying fish at the Pike Place Fish Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more fruits and vegetables at the Pike Place Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo_pabdu2TaTMIvcxTuuDTgVmAVdqeJS3IVu7Ta2t5wvNIbQjZqIgwipmChiddhsq9QEE7XiFMN_jaiiL-Cgy9pB7ioXTPfa048-vTB4GBNz2Or5EHSZipp4pi2zEfQCV5o9RN81sAUE1/s1600/RIMG4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo_pabdu2TaTMIvcxTuuDTgVmAVdqeJS3IVu7Ta2t5wvNIbQjZqIgwipmChiddhsq9QEE7XiFMN_jaiiL-Cgy9pB7ioXTPfa048-vTB4GBNz2Or5EHSZipp4pi2zEfQCV5o9RN81sAUE1/s320/RIMG4494.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan Happy Hour at Plum Bistro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl3c72oFqcm6O1SKE4uRZ-GqkycnzWea9X34p6WCEGZpWcDHh1FrtJQ5jlEucc4hRhg1Dc4JxhC6J_6VtXkkSG-ncp5zZfK9ML7kK9-kaQSyp3OAC1upIM56mwCSkKmBPdy1GabsU5aND/s1600/RIMG4879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl3c72oFqcm6O1SKE4uRZ-GqkycnzWea9X34p6WCEGZpWcDHh1FrtJQ5jlEucc4hRhg1Dc4JxhC6J_6VtXkkSG-ncp5zZfK9ML7kK9-kaQSyp3OAC1upIM56mwCSkKmBPdy1GabsU5aND/s320/RIMG4879.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raw nachos at Thrive</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a nutshell, that visit to Seattle (or Washington actually) was just what we needed! We were so happy in Seattle that leaving became a bit painful, so what was supposed to be a visit for just 2 weeks was extended to 3. And despite the extra work that we had to put in just to be able to manage work from the other side of the world and all its hassles, it was worth it! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVEByjTqDcvpBgkqhMcL1bC2ywj_V4Sk1v7PxpaM7kWgJ4J62ktV47xbc7n2drgsgKpFKJkj2cvZK_SGxnvVkmyUyLlxzgbfKIvV9_Nfivx-HzHvZK9fKSIBl1vmxtiWHjlgt802MJFn_/s1600/RIMG4786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVEByjTqDcvpBgkqhMcL1bC2ywj_V4Sk1v7PxpaM7kWgJ4J62ktV47xbc7n2drgsgKpFKJkj2cvZK_SGxnvVkmyUyLlxzgbfKIvV9_Nfivx-HzHvZK9fKSIBl1vmxtiWHjlgt802MJFn_/s320/RIMG4786.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really was amazing. At a point in our lives where were were at the brink of being just too burnt out and jaded, the Universe interferes and conspires to bring us to this place where we were able to regain a sense of belonging and balance in our lives again and gave us that much-needed inspiration and all this positive energy to go forth and live happy and passionately once more!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7OMiKZ9tFMwzf87GruQEYFzp0DT3nw-DlGaLkXln_oysL86n5Uedrw00XSGuoQVe0KY11eOIoAXNzEfz_CID_P4bvkvsNW2MoSE1Kwo5KfomWOve9iNJD3ZeLs6JUxwM5GzCV0DRcAFk/s1600/RIMG3987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7OMiKZ9tFMwzf87GruQEYFzp0DT3nw-DlGaLkXln_oysL86n5Uedrw00XSGuoQVe0KY11eOIoAXNzEfz_CID_P4bvkvsNW2MoSE1Kwo5KfomWOve9iNJD3ZeLs6JUxwM5GzCV0DRcAFk/s320/RIMG3987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I am grateful. Very, very grateful. And as a means of expressing my gratitude to the Universe, to Washington and for all the beautiful people that sent us so much loving, positive vibes while we were there (whether thru actions, thoughts or thru their wonderful food), I am promising to blog a little more diligently now. I have so much to share about how green the state of Washington is in so many ways and what I've learned on eating sustainably that it would be a pity not to be able to share it with friends and more people. Not to mention all the amazing vegetarian finds we discovered in Washington that I MUST write about!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, some of the most important things I brought home from Seattle with me are my new raw food recipe books, a brand spankin' new blender and food processor (yay!) and all the natural raw food ingredients like nuts, carob powder, grains and seeds that I hoarded from the Natural Food Store's bulk section. So needless to say, I've taken over our kitchen now and have been experimenting relentlessly on yummy raw food recipes since we got back! So I've got loads of recipes to share, too!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raw stuffed mushrooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raw nori shiitake sushi rolls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coconut carob fudge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So dear blog, let me get my recipes together first and starting tomorrow, I'll be posting recipe after recipe, and many other stories to tell, and blogging every day. I promise.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And again, dear Universe, for all your good energy, a big, big THANK YOU. :-)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4mJdd6jKkk_5qhrtGr6_JMTN3g0OM5U9vewH6pY38sdON5HfQKYToCGylL8-h-MB46O-fC14Y5-QI55x_Fj9VMzePnnIE8MiDPw8Z_AWtKHaAHB4W9I0QhjPPcg7pHjEg6hPkXbeHkFE/s1600/RIMG4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4mJdd6jKkk_5qhrtGr6_JMTN3g0OM5U9vewH6pY38sdON5HfQKYToCGylL8-h-MB46O-fC14Y5-QI55x_Fj9VMzePnnIE8MiDPw8Z_AWtKHaAHB4W9I0QhjPPcg7pHjEg6hPkXbeHkFE/s320/RIMG4481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-10429669365867129852010-10-14T00:50:00.000-07:002010-10-14T00:50:41.125-07:00Today's Raw Lunch: Cucumber & Eggplant Lasagna with Cashew Pesto & Marinara Sauce<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love eggplants! So when Daniw of <a href="http://www.bahaykalipay.com/">Bahay Kalipay</a> told me that you can actually eat eggplants raw, I got super excited and I decided to make a raw lasagna for lunch today (another great tip from Daniw. Thank you, my raw food guru!!) :)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HGWn3IIKui3iyxxW57v0p84sjwFuiynu3PFSinddfJgy1c_CWTaU7gv1Zr5yIyayOs8pxeAXWVNbJIMIywmjSgzaAJ8ztHOs7ffIJT5ComOLlhvjWgW3-mAvbhABqPMMSl51NGyN8h6K/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HGWn3IIKui3iyxxW57v0p84sjwFuiynu3PFSinddfJgy1c_CWTaU7gv1Zr5yIyayOs8pxeAXWVNbJIMIywmjSgzaAJ8ztHOs7ffIJT5ComOLlhvjWgW3-mAvbhABqPMMSl51NGyN8h6K/s320/IMG_2193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Raw Lasagna with Cashew Pesto & Marinara Sauce</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ingredients:</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 eggplant</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cucumber or zuchinni</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">extra virgin olive oil</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Braggs liquid aminos or Nama Shoyu</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">dried rosemary</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">sea salt</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">freshly ground black pepper</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">raw cashew pesto (recipe <a href="http://earthboundfaerie.blogspot.com/2010/10/todays-raw-lunch-raw-cashew-pesto-on.html">here</a>)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">raw marinara sauce</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the raw marinara sauce:</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">tomatoes</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">garlic</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">onion</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">dried rosemary</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">fresh basil leaves (dried basil will work, too!)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">sea salt</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">black pepper</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a bit of wild honey</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I just throw all the marinara sauce ingredients into a blender & process. If you guys are planning to make it at home, again I would encourage experimenting with the quantity of each ingredient to suit your taste. Different strokes for different folks! ;) Set aside.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71EfH-pN3FghGqdhpDc7gf9LfgfibM7uBMkYzmIK6H_HWXfSuQt3nNXJDCtDCZluYSFED2NERh68tpgLk736JtgdCdMJxPQfhqPYioqPa3evgZEjSotQ3IFdTlacbrp9aUrEArPQn-NPH/s1600/IMG_2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71EfH-pN3FghGqdhpDc7gf9LfgfibM7uBMkYzmIK6H_HWXfSuQt3nNXJDCtDCZluYSFED2NERh68tpgLk736JtgdCdMJxPQfhqPYioqPa3evgZEjSotQ3IFdTlacbrp9aUrEArPQn-NPH/s320/IMG_2187.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the lasagna, I just soaked some slices of eggplant in a mixture of olive oil (I only drizzled enough to cover the slices), Braggs liquid aminos or Nama Shoyu, dried rosemary, a bit of sea salt & ground black pepper for 20-30 minutes.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">To make the lasagna, arrange the first layer of eggplant slices on a plate. Top it with some cashew nut pesto. Then top the cashew nut pesto with another layer, this time with the cucumber slices. Pour some of the raw marinara sauce on top of the cucumber slices before putting on another layer of the eggplants & then the cashew pesto. I topped off my lasagna with a slice of eggplant & another slice of cucumber and poured some of the raw marinara sauce on top.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1szPCLe6Lk-u6j0hfF_kne3wSBePO0JlF4OOFDMVCpdU8NB2NSr2r55-vd3TJFfBueQJtvoL6s6u8eQtQfEKq0rFKg3nt3_K7oNM3VI8xlKc0Upq7DuZhvoPA37O5_R0m7gQYrLhrQyo/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1szPCLe6Lk-u6j0hfF_kne3wSBePO0JlF4OOFDMVCpdU8NB2NSr2r55-vd3TJFfBueQJtvoL6s6u8eQtQfEKq0rFKg3nt3_K7oNM3VI8xlKc0Upq7DuZhvoPA37O5_R0m7gQYrLhrQyo/s320/IMG_2190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was a fun dish to make! And I had the Little Boy watching the whole time I was making it and even got him to try a few bites since he was so fascinated by the whole process. He likes it, thankfully! Yay!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had some cashew pesto left over from lunch a couple of days ago so I decided to use that instead of making a different sauce altogether, though I would imagine that experimenting with several other different sauces would work well for this dish, too! It's so versatile! <span style="font-family: Verdana;">Maybe next time, I'll try it with some marinated mushrooms!</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also, I'm no big fan of cucumber! But I ran out of zuchinni so I had to use cucumber instead. It still tasted great but made the dish a little watery once you start cutting into the slices. I'm definitely using zuchinni the next time I make this dish though!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyhoo, I've got tons of work to do but I got so excited about how tasty this was I just had to share it! ;p</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, that's it for now! On to dessert now: Mango & Cashew Nut Milk Smoothie. Yum! <3</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPAwBjBa-WzRBq28yUoxe1t_rxnHwYTdTHPYGYKO7Vq6niKSAYeAlxsE_I3CRw1M3xAbE5OuiClRmw_65KMBzq1xJoD2jZI3KEAIJ2zinDmIzYm942srcoeDUzc20NCQfVH9aTJ7K3N-a/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPAwBjBa-WzRBq28yUoxe1t_rxnHwYTdTHPYGYKO7Vq6niKSAYeAlxsE_I3CRw1M3xAbE5OuiClRmw_65KMBzq1xJoD2jZI3KEAIJ2zinDmIzYm942srcoeDUzc20NCQfVH9aTJ7K3N-a/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-79088411782466503392010-10-12T01:00:00.000-07:002010-10-12T01:00:11.917-07:00Today's Raw Lunch: Raw Cashew Pesto on Zuchinni Fettucine<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For today's raw lunch:</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2ByZ9Fiu3u7ddFxKVrQvZ1zIFlFLSoP1fK_ujydZqxHoJ8kdg-V4XE2bJoqDOhX1BYY0sP5zTzY2gXLjluss66RSMLlYfApQLuRdTDA9E8b23OWq8SNzqhJgPGmFOaBFtceMJD2gyc-Q/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2ByZ9Fiu3u7ddFxKVrQvZ1zIFlFLSoP1fK_ujydZqxHoJ8kdg-V4XE2bJoqDOhX1BYY0sP5zTzY2gXLjluss66RSMLlYfApQLuRdTDA9E8b23OWq8SNzqhJgPGmFOaBFtceMJD2gyc-Q/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Raw Cashew Pesto on Zuchinni Fettucine</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>For your raw pesto sauce:</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>1/2 cup cashew nuts (soaked in water for atleast 20-30 minutes)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>1/3 cup olive oil</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>a handful of basil</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>a handful of cilantro</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>sea salt</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just throw everything into a blender/food processor and process until smooth.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssvDAtP6FEKVgg895pG2Jun2KY_XYa7iVkds9bVPSTIcBYIFMYkcxCllpSLDiwi3Xxr84y4WuKu6zjd9MwTmSxT9BkPJi8Gx7VW5B-bORR_H7YZOn-qN4oKOHY-5z8rPvRbrF3Irr9YGB/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssvDAtP6FEKVgg895pG2Jun2KY_XYa7iVkds9bVPSTIcBYIFMYkcxCllpSLDiwi3Xxr84y4WuKu6zjd9MwTmSxT9BkPJi8Gx7VW5B-bORR_H7YZOn-qN4oKOHY-5z8rPvRbrF3Irr9YGB/s320/IMG_2179.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For your "pasta", just use a peeler to peel off fettucine-like strips off the zuchinni. Pour some cashew pesto sauce on top and top it off with some chopped tomatoes (and any other vegetable you like!) and some Bragg's Nutritional Yeast for "cheese".</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yummy & easy!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...and for today's <strong>Green Smoothie:</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqCoo3QEtMrSJW0Nd3SOzXMn1tH2_3fnWIitUtKURvxrOWG_14ZRzI2k6HLeJxBdDVAOYrhu6aICfQNu6u5SyWsjehulIST4O6TseQ0eAfT4O-baYcx4EY8_TPI9W3_xu0QR_95Ub8bTf/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqCoo3QEtMrSJW0Nd3SOzXMn1tH2_3fnWIitUtKURvxrOWG_14ZRzI2k6HLeJxBdDVAOYrhu6aICfQNu6u5SyWsjehulIST4O6TseQ0eAfT4O-baYcx4EY8_TPI9W3_xu0QR_95Ub8bTf/s320/IMG_2172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">bokchoy</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">lolla rossa lettuce</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">frozen mango</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">frozen bananas</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">freshly-squeezed lemon juice</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">wild honey</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chop fruits into chunks & throw into the blender with your greens. Pour in juice from half a lemon and put in some wild honey if you want your smoothie sweeter. Pour in just enough cold water to cover half of the ingredients in the blender. Blend away! :)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOai9y5b4ebmOTc7-sFfk7UpA3-KxcHymeh_VpiUxCW56AbFVVfGCHAKb6TsGNQuIcLQ1OXJcudwN-gN5IZ4uHjFIEpkNwjw2MnX4wxqV82qjBfW3nrFpJslDDZ87cQqC4DJMLwqVZbt4/s1600/IMG_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOai9y5b4ebmOTc7-sFfk7UpA3-KxcHymeh_VpiUxCW56AbFVVfGCHAKb6TsGNQuIcLQ1OXJcudwN-gN5IZ4uHjFIEpkNwjw2MnX4wxqV82qjBfW3nrFpJslDDZ87cQqC4DJMLwqVZbt4/s320/IMG_2173.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This combo is a new favorite of ours. We love bananas & mangoes and the bit of lemon juice really gives it an add'l zing (not to mention Vitamin C)! It was our first time to use bok choy, too, and it's great! Bok choy is a great source of Vitamin C, calcium and Vitamin A which makes this an extra healthy green smoothie! :)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And while I'm at it, here's a few of notes on green smoothies:</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1) If you noticed, I intentionally left out quantity since it should really be up to you how much of each ingredient you'd want to put in. No measuring needed! It's all about experimenting with the quantity and the fruits you use before you get the "perfect" combination that suits your taste. As far as fruit to greens ratio, the general rule (as I've gathered from many green smoothie advocates & websites) is that you put 60% fruit, 40% green vegetables. I tend to go 50-50 though and it still tastes great!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2) I almost always use fresh fruit, as opposed to using frozen. However, I started to use frozen fruits during a time when we had way more bananas & mangoes than we knew what to do with, so we had to put some in the freezer so they won't go to waste and now, I'm beginning to learn that using frozen fruits may actually be better since I end up with refreshingly cold green smoothies without having to add ice. I'm assuming though that the freezing process takes away a bit of the fruits' nutritional value (I need to research some more on that actually!) but hey, frozen fruit is always better than no fruit at all!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKA6CyHpw8EnWcuF6ewY2uBJOw9lN_IZikyBuIPaJUwpjtPKAk0KyNBcd312pc5zFfoqA8bj-qXKjAqbiL6KyHpNJ4jZJI1deBXrZmPvOmXOMtwPM6aVfXCAtfvsxFmDYufCP6mRU1YbB/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKA6CyHpw8EnWcuF6ewY2uBJOw9lN_IZikyBuIPaJUwpjtPKAk0KyNBcd312pc5zFfoqA8bj-qXKjAqbiL6KyHpNJ4jZJI1deBXrZmPvOmXOMtwPM6aVfXCAtfvsxFmDYufCP6mRU1YbB/s320/IMG_2176.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3) There're many green smoothie drinkers who prefer their smoothies with no water at all to really make the most out of the greens & fruits in it. I for one cannot enjoy a warm, way-too-thick green smoothie so I always add a bit of water to thin out the smoothie's consistency. Another great alternative is to use fresh fruit juice instead of water so that it's still a fruit base!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm so hooked on green smoothies now! It's always a great drink for a quick energy boost plus it's so filling, I actually don't crave so much for junk now. What I love about it though is that you can pretty much use any green vegetable (lettuce, cabbage, spinach, pechay, bok choy, arugula, etc.) and any favorite fruit so the green smoothie list is just endless! And it's always fun to just experiment with different combinations everytime and every once in a while stumble upon a favorite (like this one is for us!).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w_B44Fcph-WUdkGFQ5bsYVObe1Qyz61o6bHGW71cfleXlKrQb5ggN4a2nmoYeE61P-KAiXTtPh6UcGTDJMkZWeBNTPJpaEJIKWmlPNKSVnb3Amo3pS5lQozJCtwngZc_IjIZZ3JWe0B8/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w_B44Fcph-WUdkGFQ5bsYVObe1Qyz61o6bHGW71cfleXlKrQb5ggN4a2nmoYeE61P-KAiXTtPh6UcGTDJMkZWeBNTPJpaEJIKWmlPNKSVnb3Amo3pS5lQozJCtwngZc_IjIZZ3JWe0B8/s320/IMG_2184.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy your green smoothie!!! :)</span></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-81509579020930302762010-10-08T22:47:00.000-07:002010-10-08T22:47:50.109-07:00Trying To Get Back on the Healthy Track With My Favorite Raw Breakfasts<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately. Last week, I found myself in the Emergency Room at Medical City at 3 in the morning because of a severe migraine. I brushed it off all throughout the day and after finally taking some pain relievers and my head still feeling like it's about to explode, I finally gave in to the Mister's pleas of bringing me to the ER just to make sure it wasn't anything serious.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When I got there, my blood pressure was so low that they wanted me to stay for another hour so they could monitor me. :s After a couple of hours, the doctors let me go home but not before making me promise that I'd stay in bed for the next few days since apparently, the severe migraines and low blood pressure was, according to them, due to too much stress and lack of rest. Hmmm.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I admit that since getting back from my super restful retreat in Puerto Princesa, I've been subjected to day after day of work-related stress and pressures and other personal problems. </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the first week after getting back, I was so well-behaved: went to bed early every night, woke up early to do yoga and morning meditation, ate raw food for 2 out of my 3 daily meals, downed green smoothies as my energy drink, and I felt fantastic!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After that though, with increasing pressures and hundreds of errands & deadlines to meet, I slowly went back to skipping breakfast cause I just didn't have time.. being glued to my laptop & iPhone replying to queries & working through midnight.. skipping my morning yoga & meditation.. not having time to make my raw meals so I ended up eating cooked food.. and now, I'm back to feeling sluggish and just sickly! :s</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So now, after a week of struggling to meet deadlines & rushing thru the week again, I'm determined to go back to that slower, healthier lifestyle.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm determined to make all-raw breakfasts everyday now for a good kickstart to the morning and since it inspires me to eat raw & healthy for the rest of the day. Here're a few of my favorite raw breakfast recipes that are easy to make and super yummy:</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fresh Mangoes & Bananas in Coconut Milk-Mango-Honey</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">(this was actually my very first attempt to a raw meal at home so I tried to replicate one of our breakfasts at <a href="http://www.bahaykalipay.com/">Bahay Kalipay</a>. But since I didn't have a lot of the other stuff that went in to the original version (like wheatgerm, avocadoes, goji berries, etc.), I decided to just make do with what I had at home and make a simpler version.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iyRYfUFJWazRuYBs7U-yaz_dE-ysoWO10RPHLJKKPkeKcUiBiiqqrBsgCoQcnVVYCEBqNMmt37RKPr_q7BSiSHU_qNT3nJUXkSV_AuScjfEPitGe9Y9ze4Z5g_4ejM_1Bbf8vdx6_k7t/s1600/RIMG2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iyRYfUFJWazRuYBs7U-yaz_dE-ysoWO10RPHLJKKPkeKcUiBiiqqrBsgCoQcnVVYCEBqNMmt37RKPr_q7BSiSHU_qNT3nJUXkSV_AuScjfEPitGe9Y9ze4Z5g_4ejM_1Bbf8vdx6_k7t/s320/RIMG2708.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy fruit breakfast at Bahay Kalipay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ingredients for the sauce:</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>mango</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>honey</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>coconut milk (don't use canned coconut milk! we made ours just by squeezing all the milk out from the grated coconut meat that you also get to use in the dish -- see? nothing wasted!)</em></span></div></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></em></div><br />
<div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just blend everything together and adjust amounts of each ingredient to your liking (e.g. more honey if you want it sweeter). Set aside.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 mango, sliced into cubes</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 banana, sliced</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">grated coconut meat</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ground cashew nuts</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just put the mangoes and bananas in a bowl. Pour coconut milk-mango-honey mixture into the bowl and sprinkle grated coconut meat & ground cashew nuts on top.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Super easy to make and also super filling! Since my first try, I've experimented with it several times more and I now put ground flaxseeds or wheatgerm for more fiber/protein; I also use whatever nuts we have at home for variety.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You can also opt to put avocados, goji berries, or any of your favorite fruits! If you don't have coconut milk, you can also use almond milk or cashew nut milk -- it's still yummy! :)</span></em><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOj2iezj5Xcw_i5YJwtRFRx9CN1Zl2c9TN1-fUZd1YTkI_0sgb-SoefyC2VaDTc-dko0a8Hji_yfIMLESu-_uaj2RgIEXE5FgjcWFQlUX15CIGXsSNoAeySJeWsxbF_pBMKUxFt732asj/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOj2iezj5Xcw_i5YJwtRFRx9CN1Zl2c9TN1-fUZd1YTkI_0sgb-SoefyC2VaDTc-dko0a8Hji_yfIMLESu-_uaj2RgIEXE5FgjcWFQlUX15CIGXsSNoAeySJeWsxbF_pBMKUxFt732asj/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my version with just mangoes, bananas, coconut<br />
and crushed cashew nuts</td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Apple Ginger Almond & Cashew Nut & Flaxseed "Granola" in Almond Nut Milk & Honey</em></strong> </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>This one is actually my own version of a recipe I found <a href="http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2009/08/19/raw-food-breakfast-recipe-with-apple-and-ginger/">here</a>. Almonds are expensive here so I substituted cashew nuts for half of the amount of almonds that the recipe calls for. Turned out great!</em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QiqlPMUKhYWrF64R_HtpQsVVXaiO07BW2u55y6b6j7oJ-t6r3jIDEdMjuhgnqR2sy5Qz0Z9Uvroy00AI-qs2cz4fwRGF7HUSaPXLD1iwFvEtOrvrb-nhH7EjACUp9-W6-RiGOs1Ylx04/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QiqlPMUKhYWrF64R_HtpQsVVXaiO07BW2u55y6b6j7oJ-t6r3jIDEdMjuhgnqR2sy5Qz0Z9Uvroy00AI-qs2cz4fwRGF7HUSaPXLD1iwFvEtOrvrb-nhH7EjACUp9-W6-RiGOs1Ylx04/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 apple, finely diced</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup almonds, soaked & chopped</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup cashew nut, soaked & chopped</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 inch piece of ginger</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup lemon juice</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 tsp. ground flaxseed</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (original recipe calls for 1/4 only but i love cinnamon!! so i added a bit more. do as you please.)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So basically, you just put all this in a food processor until it's got a granola-like texure.</span></em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JaKRaTIdMlr6WlRpWFqt6zl2EssoUMTbTcfP-Wh7Jhf9UEmonwjCGAOPkkQQEjTBq6Dln5wAiiIKiZjZY-Zv72UGUbdk7uQZVNMJz3DC2YJhOR2BvjB95jFHqbz6azYzJ6ykT3BZB4UG/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JaKRaTIdMlr6WlRpWFqt6zl2EssoUMTbTcfP-Wh7Jhf9UEmonwjCGAOPkkQQEjTBq6Dln5wAiiIKiZjZY-Zv72UGUbdk7uQZVNMJz3DC2YJhOR2BvjB95jFHqbz6azYzJ6ykT3BZB4UG/s320/IMG_2133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You may opt to add more stuff like goji berries, coconut meat, etc. But to me, it's perfect the way it is! :)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I just made a mixture of almond nut milk & honey and poured that into the bowl for a yummy raw cereal breakfast!!</span></em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith5-oIi9zRSeysGjLpgeRNDH1GCC4Q_22rEnO4inI77jzKBX2KZwsGtwUrlzNF4SPlFLMjssL7MTARkTrjIVdiiwkGotfYQ2Pg5UR3yWe80BvHraigDmktqCExCtVerE1m16aL5cctk3n/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith5-oIi9zRSeysGjLpgeRNDH1GCC4Q_22rEnO4inI77jzKBX2KZwsGtwUrlzNF4SPlFLMjssL7MTARkTrjIVdiiwkGotfYQ2Pg5UR3yWe80BvHraigDmktqCExCtVerE1m16aL5cctk3n/s320/IMG_2134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For some, the taste of the ginger may be too strong so you can omit this if you're not a ginger fan or you can just put in a smaller piece and make sure it's finally chopped so you don't get nasty whole chunks of it in one bite!</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Banana Cinnamon Almond Nut Milk & Wheatgerm Smoothie</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a great quick breakfast for those days when you just don't have time to make a bowl of the other 2! The wheatgerm (you can also try flaxseed) makes it super filling, too. Even I'm surprised that it gets me through the morning until lunch without getting hungry.</span></em><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqQtHJ44zAcqzJdnnTYLR1GQJz8iLypKRTu8_ttT-MTuQHRePgFjuG71qbi7ElF32Lm2wBH8ZjroWM5YXPb0WgYvlsPrdghMuHoNt3cMTteNFnVJ3662I7wlM-a4gZRwK1EdH2V3Y3oxt/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqQtHJ44zAcqzJdnnTYLR1GQJz8iLypKRTu8_ttT-MTuQHRePgFjuG71qbi7ElF32Lm2wBH8ZjroWM5YXPb0WgYvlsPrdghMuHoNt3cMTteNFnVJ3662I7wlM-a4gZRwK1EdH2V3Y3oxt/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making almond nut milk at home</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 banana</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup almond nut milk (better if it's homemade!)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 tbsp ground wheatgerm or flaxseed</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just put everything in a blender and you'll have a great glass of breakfast in the morning!</span></em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC2ljGnXOQzT3OqayOm8cZlj0zWH6-MU-NcX808hyCUwmfD3_YS90UavzCQ8xzcPGzou33vNH9xzMCwYI6DfPWSlrgNnlsb36znHfboDcjYnICEpX2ORPWFV-1rhgo_b3PPn5wQTB22fW/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC2ljGnXOQzT3OqayOm8cZlj0zWH6-MU-NcX808hyCUwmfD3_YS90UavzCQ8xzcPGzou33vNH9xzMCwYI6DfPWSlrgNnlsb36znHfboDcjYnICEpX2ORPWFV-1rhgo_b3PPn5wQTB22fW/s320/IMG_2092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy! :-)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-63972980346801092392010-09-27T22:48:00.000-07:002010-09-27T22:48:10.846-07:00Lemoni Cafe: The Perfect Boracay Lunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUczgTh_k-aQUSedAAH0JpbL9g5JAd2XjzSrTQIjUIbRFoPRrzRR5GQ1MSD1QxSx5SYLMwzXDE2_qfpvbBSrJU123EFQlPMnHHfwZqMjllz5w0z3tFix6QhexiYS5VMqYIgLbzsK_zlUUL/s1600/DSC06887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUczgTh_k-aQUSedAAH0JpbL9g5JAd2XjzSrTQIjUIbRFoPRrzRR5GQ1MSD1QxSx5SYLMwzXDE2_qfpvbBSrJU123EFQlPMnHHfwZqMjllz5w0z3tFix6QhexiYS5VMqYIgLbzsK_zlUUL/s320/DSC06887.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've always loved Lemoni. I never let a Boracay trip pass without atleast one visit to this sunny cafe, whether it's for their great Lunch Box Sets or for a quick coffee & dessert stop after dinner. Sometimes I even find myself going all the way to D'Mall just to order a tall glass of Lemoni's Watermelon Ginger Crush for take-out!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FYqrTg2KIXY6FeBK8drNpF1JPPnUQIFzib4DNS3zAYr3V-PW1is9XWxXiz_rAj43CSYnWQi5BL4VuHHPEdpE04a-Ku0umHIqp1rOw1BNgZjAoiICThpcJT04K8VhyPnRNmsXfdQlBAsA/s1600/DSC06903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FYqrTg2KIXY6FeBK8drNpF1JPPnUQIFzib4DNS3zAYr3V-PW1is9XWxXiz_rAj43CSYnWQi5BL4VuHHPEdpE04a-Ku0umHIqp1rOw1BNgZjAoiICThpcJT04K8VhyPnRNmsXfdQlBAsA/s320/DSC06903.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Right smack in the middle of often-too-crowded D'Mall sits this airy little cafe, with its bright yellow & white interiors making it look all the more cheerful & inviting. Always the perfect spot for a cozy, hearty lunch in Boracay!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuuWYXWzwMY50gIQkVHy_BqYmyjShdFn4JZyJ-cA6RDT5tfodr7EKxLmQitx7cAeyS3aBU-JExNpRBc6uxcgtEuQEkc1F4taoDjb92dHiLS0t7yxCuscjQJ4j4T6J3gnTuYQ0yiDhkJP7/s1600/DSC06904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuuWYXWzwMY50gIQkVHy_BqYmyjShdFn4JZyJ-cA6RDT5tfodr7EKxLmQitx7cAeyS3aBU-JExNpRBc6uxcgtEuQEkc1F4taoDjb92dHiLS0t7yxCuscjQJ4j4T6J3gnTuYQ0yiDhkJP7/s320/DSC06904.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I usually go for the Lemon Lunch Box everytime we're at Lemoni. For P450, you get the Soup of the Day, Salad Greens with Raspberry Vinaigrette, your choice of their tasty sandwiches (the Pan-fried Tuna with Egg Curry on Ciabatta and the Thai Lemon Chicken Ciabatta being my personal favorites!) or their rice toppings (beef, chicken or fish) plus dessert (you can choose from Coconut Pannacotta, Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse, Caramel Pot de Creme or Tropical Mango Parfait)! That's pretty good value for just P450 if you ask me! That's a complete meal!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was tempted to get a set lunch on our last visit actually. That time though, The Mister and I were craving for one of their best-selling signature dishes that we had heard so much about from friends and fellow foodies... the Tiger Prawns, grilled and served with Spinach and Coconut Risotto <em>(P495)</em>. So we ordeed that and what a pretty dish it was... Perfectly grilled prawns sitting on top of a bed of spinach leaves and risotto that's literally swimming in rich coconut cream. Just a forkful of the rich coconut risotto with a bit of the prawn was enough to explain why this was a bestseller. It was delicious!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R6WCtBjnciIaF182SL0g8mFScjgGm3hJ4mrpTs2xrJu5LehVRYIMBMj3oYxOv2kjO_oyOKXYk2BJbS6yJar0kl6BMr0qSt000GfBtaLU6-_Eak1yKKCTUz_tYxsvTg9_cgFfi3OVNfps/s1600/DSC06917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R6WCtBjnciIaF182SL0g8mFScjgGm3hJ4mrpTs2xrJu5LehVRYIMBMj3oYxOv2kjO_oyOKXYk2BJbS6yJar0kl6BMr0qSt000GfBtaLU6-_Eak1yKKCTUz_tYxsvTg9_cgFfi3OVNfps/s320/DSC06917.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We also ordered their Curried Laksa Noodle Soup with Seafood <em>(P200) </em>for the Mister's main course as he claimed he was still full from breakfast that morning. Of course we ended up splitting my order of the Tiger Prawns which was okay since the coconut risotto was really rich and heavy, I couldn't finish it by myself. But the Laksa serving was actually quite big, too! It was pretty good laksa, with just the right amount of coconut milkiness and spice, served with a big wedge of ciabatta on the side.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxvkSQ7XRaZ_NKiPPuu2HJJS2MxB4oiirdFnATH2oNISeFagniWknx_PKMpYGIJuZQ0j2oXdwczoYJszcFGiF1F0z4DmEWwWnvdSEdLsJg54OQye0r2voBjkxwrhVj_xSaY-04lLxjC9O/s1600/DSC06913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxvkSQ7XRaZ_NKiPPuu2HJJS2MxB4oiirdFnATH2oNISeFagniWknx_PKMpYGIJuZQ0j2oXdwczoYJszcFGiF1F0z4DmEWwWnvdSEdLsJg54OQye0r2voBjkxwrhVj_xSaY-04lLxjC9O/s320/DSC06913.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mother ordered the Pan-fried Mahi Mahi with Warm Potato Salad and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce <em>(P390)</em>. I didn't get to try the Mahi Mahi but Mother says it was just okay. I was able to try the potatoes though and they were pretty tasty!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGZ5OQHLLGVcMg6HI3QdRdnUtAa_uW68fyZKY5h1DbHa1nbxfxiFVN-a2t07aL7octeM2gF6aYUfC-34AbNL48CeRPMqdKJKfe0or-p1614JRWoFJrB7zALJR5RN_NIleP9-YkdveOqhn/s1600/DSC06916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGZ5OQHLLGVcMg6HI3QdRdnUtAa_uW68fyZKY5h1DbHa1nbxfxiFVN-a2t07aL7octeM2gF6aYUfC-34AbNL48CeRPMqdKJKfe0or-p1614JRWoFJrB7zALJR5RN_NIleP9-YkdveOqhn/s320/DSC06916.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Little Boy ordered from their All-Day Breakfast menu, a serving of their French Toast with Cinnamon, Fresh Mango & a Dash of Yogurt <em>(P185)</em>. Pretty yummy, too!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZB_S21ljFsC1YdUlxInBfOGxM7b9c_E1DNIkGdFNsVtWBxjCq-aDNLmlyUBrSyFVNPpZIHKJKE83dTr3vs_z-1g9ENppKwBCfZBrSpnqM3VF_wzeZh61UlIEWh8Xz8G5vGAk9MITWFcD/s1600/DSC06911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZB_S21ljFsC1YdUlxInBfOGxM7b9c_E1DNIkGdFNsVtWBxjCq-aDNLmlyUBrSyFVNPpZIHKJKE83dTr3vs_z-1g9ENppKwBCfZBrSpnqM3VF_wzeZh61UlIEWh8Xz8G5vGAk9MITWFcD/s320/DSC06911.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One of the things I love about Lemoni is their drinks selection. They have the most refreshing fruit shake combinations with drinks like the Mango Lemon Crush <em>(P115)</em>, Mint & Pineapple Crush <em>(P100)</em>, Banana & Coconut Crush <em>(P95) </em>just to name a few. We try to order something different everytime we're there but we almost always gravitate towards our all-time favorites: the Watermelon Ginger Crush <em>(P90) </em>for me<em> </em>and the citrusy Papaya Orange Calamansi Crush <em>(P130) </em>which my boys just love. Perfect for washing down all the rich food we devoured for lunch!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Efld6UVc95WLUyXzAF82X-SEyhu1DP4rWVMJwKwxMus3LWa4GRH_C2UEAW0oznwNVPjE6rcpjrmRMT_VZdqYN6NeW28k2fsf3mY5mY-Ph812R8hRbgblElzDVtC93P_4Nx7XhCEHFQUj/s1600/DSC06896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Efld6UVc95WLUyXzAF82X-SEyhu1DP4rWVMJwKwxMus3LWa4GRH_C2UEAW0oznwNVPjE6rcpjrmRMT_VZdqYN6NeW28k2fsf3mY5mY-Ph812R8hRbgblElzDVtC93P_4Nx7XhCEHFQUj/s320/DSC06896.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Despite being full to the gills, I can never leave Lemoni without having dessert and coffee. And the Caramel Pot de Creme <em>(P70)</em> never lets me down! This little cup of sweet caramel heaven is an all-time favorite, though the Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse <em>(P85) </em>comes in as a close second!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSwYHF8eCOtAUAYKRTWv0cFJxyXbZhH4iEBFVI9AvXLwlhyxO759Q6oQsSxsH4dFm7N3WVVw_SFcmN92Gk_jMT5ylLc3a4pSWs9wYiP483RsVbLbdmmw8ydwem9G2h8Q3Et-ywKNFPnk1/s1600/DSC06925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSwYHF8eCOtAUAYKRTWv0cFJxyXbZhH4iEBFVI9AvXLwlhyxO759Q6oQsSxsH4dFm7N3WVVw_SFcmN92Gk_jMT5ylLc3a4pSWs9wYiP483RsVbLbdmmw8ydwem9G2h8Q3Et-ywKNFPnk1/s320/DSC06925.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But that's just the chocolate monster in me. The few times that I let myself stray away from the chocolate desserts, I end up ordering the Classic Lemon Tart <em>(P110)</em>, a cheery bright yellow dessert that almost makes me forget about chocolate!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5jiUmoWGiPNdk_86rw5oseervre0X_1LHFDBdNoB63iqbCh1_gvRscj8JVTXp2S0x_79dob_94OSDYKBqXN-ehh2AKl6kkcR37pE0IN64_yl_s6dZNYwt502QBC5cYGeeAtY_Qm-SHM/s1600/Lemoni2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5jiUmoWGiPNdk_86rw5oseervre0X_1LHFDBdNoB63iqbCh1_gvRscj8JVTXp2S0x_79dob_94OSDYKBqXN-ehh2AKl6kkcR37pE0IN64_yl_s6dZNYwt502QBC5cYGeeAtY_Qm-SHM/s320/Lemoni2.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">desserts galore from another visit to Lemoni from last summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Coffee at Lemoni's great, too! I think they serve Lavazza so their lattes are pretty good! And when the staff or baristas are in the mood, they even draw cute little faces with the coffee's foam & crema! Cute!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKiLd7uqGN-k9COrbpTdvtrfI51VhM8KHQ_9sVDQ1uamf9Z-KqgytTkQ0hUHffUaSVf2m286YcP8DXXG6Eq5OhuVMFJmJaOiXN92aoch-g8AARRSS5L41TxBxuG2EyI1nPCf1cy1sG3UU/s1600/Lemoni1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKiLd7uqGN-k9COrbpTdvtrfI51VhM8KHQ_9sVDQ1uamf9Z-KqgytTkQ0hUHffUaSVf2m286YcP8DXXG6Eq5OhuVMFJmJaOiXN92aoch-g8AARRSS5L41TxBxuG2EyI1nPCf1cy1sG3UU/s320/Lemoni1.bmp" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For lunch that day though, we just went for a Caramel Pot de Creme, the Mochachino <em>(P120) </em>and an Iced Latte <em>(P95) </em>for the Mister. Perfect for capping off yet another perfect Boracay lunch at Lemoni! :)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKkQUluDXYqimMI_TslGOmDF_yzar4ZU433K0tNhue2ASYTiuYd7bKKs5sDK8hthyfA_1LT3PvAQIavfgVDJVXDE-jUeZ5qBl1gcicqQx_q1zLpsEFuEWxSFvKf6f0IDTsX9qL7mwmmTl/s1600/DSC06927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKkQUluDXYqimMI_TslGOmDF_yzar4ZU433K0tNhue2ASYTiuYd7bKKs5sDK8hthyfA_1LT3PvAQIavfgVDJVXDE-jUeZ5qBl1gcicqQx_q1zLpsEFuEWxSFvKf6f0IDTsX9qL7mwmmTl/s320/DSC06927.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-30421924394072172482010-09-24T08:54:00.000-07:002010-09-24T08:54:21.189-07:00An Excuse Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbHzJznKaIWVyRmBSSRcd0pAGjbL5h084OYXDlh9Iz98CbeZMy0HJcqstz4K-VAzwppzFbS75uIIH-uFTSVMDCNScEGGyIJgcYv_fO2vh4xWBPgx1hVEk6QDRdLMZbkVhpAGF6PVuyCzq/s1600/RIMG2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbHzJznKaIWVyRmBSSRcd0pAGjbL5h084OYXDlh9Iz98CbeZMy0HJcqstz4K-VAzwppzFbS75uIIH-uFTSVMDCNScEGGyIJgcYv_fO2vh4xWBPgx1hVEk6QDRdLMZbkVhpAGF6PVuyCzq/s320/RIMG2596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So lately I’ve been finding myself with so much to blog about and very little time to actually sit down and start typing. I’ve been meaning to finally finish my posts on Bali and there’s still so much I’ve been wanting to write about from our last trip to Boracay last month. A couple of weeks ago, my family and I spent a couple of super relaxing, restful days in Tagaytay and that one’s something I need to share and write about as well. Divine spa experiences, incredible culinary finds, and just lots and lots of stories left to tell!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week, I’ve been a busy girl on a personal journey. And as hard as I tried to document everything that happened, whether in photos or in my journal, it was very easy to lose myself in all the amazing, blissful moments that’s been happening to me this past week that it was very hard to think about anything else.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Z5VFzyjEqcMmMRcziBzStMf75tBYqk-hL8EMTOVJbavrKZOsiH1JtyyMQeYnPssb73OrXBf0d3v3CpJILbtg91PZ2MUxVyJ-1mMgfhmd_ID4tRV-3agpvGmYhY782ld4rrzRZu0Wq1vS/s1600/RIMG2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Z5VFzyjEqcMmMRcziBzStMf75tBYqk-hL8EMTOVJbavrKZOsiH1JtyyMQeYnPssb73OrXBf0d3v3CpJILbtg91PZ2MUxVyJ-1mMgfhmd_ID4tRV-3agpvGmYhY782ld4rrzRZu0Wq1vS/s320/RIMG2592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exactly a week ago, I found myself in Bahay Kalipay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on an Inner Dance, Yoga and Raw Food Retreat. Something I signed up for just to get away for a couple of days… just to have a few days of peace and calm, away from everything else… and boy, did I get so much more than I had bargained for! That weekend was just chocful of incredible surreal experiences… yoga on an empty stretch of beach… morning pranayama on a mountaintop… finding my Inner Dance… and what to me was most life-changing: discovering how delicious and good-for-me raw food can be! I had learned so much during those few days in Bahay Kalipay, it will be extremely difficult for me to even start writing about it, so I won’t for now. Let me just say that it really was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had in this lifetime and one of these days, I will collect enough of my thoughts to actually be able to write about it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let me just say though that being on a raw food diet (with no chocolates! And no coffee!) for three days wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The raw dishes our beautiful host, Daniw, served us were so yummy, it was easy to forget their fried & cooked counterparts! The raw food at Bahay Kalipay was so amazing, it deserves its own post so I’ll try not to gush over it too much on this one!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Post-retreat, after the initial cravings were satiated (we went on a seafood feast and binged on cheesecakes & coffee the first night after the retreat!), I actually found myself actually craving for raw food! I get so much energy from it and it makes me feel so great that I’ve decided to go atleast 40-60% raw for now. I mean, I have to be realistic. God knows I can’t live without my daily coffee fix and my desserts! Plus, I’m slowly finding out that preparing raw meals is actually a pretty daunting task. I had always though raw food would be so much easier to prepare but a lot of planning and prepping goes into it, too. I’m happy and proud to say though that for the past few days, I’ve managed to make myself atleast two raw meals a day (usually for breakfast and dinner) and have been downing green smoothies like water! And I feel fantastic!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLO7QwMElEI5d882wEfyWWmo1tddkEmQcsfSGJR1Q8Z3H4pJfBdzlDd4kQDgVSakN4dp0_o5NsRXEcRCGBUXRwgl-LZbnjunOlLzBN7c6OIug5-sushdg8t2XbArsLZXuzq0EqoIIV5Xe/s1600/RIMG2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLO7QwMElEI5d882wEfyWWmo1tddkEmQcsfSGJR1Q8Z3H4pJfBdzlDd4kQDgVSakN4dp0_o5NsRXEcRCGBUXRwgl-LZbnjunOlLzBN7c6OIug5-sushdg8t2XbArsLZXuzq0EqoIIV5Xe/s320/RIMG2611.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">super yummy raw banana pancakes!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Being in Bahay Kalipay for a weekend also taught me a lot about the things that I can do without in my life. So now I really try to live by everything that I learned during that weekend and I feel posts on green living tips, raw food & green smoothie recipes are coming your way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So dear blog, I apologize. I have been MIA again but give me a bit more time and I will be back with so much more stories to tell, recipes to share and just little life lessons along the way. See you later!</span></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Love, light & pixie dust,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Earthbound Faerie</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5guGvp2loo2Bfm4hXF2vHZ3z0Z26gtE_W5mXhNzDGIQW5h64YvZqUdperPMnqjePMdXjzPNl7eJC6yeaFrRTG_I-Zw4BeSDsIoDpxeMJ8mOHqUO7LOlvNcSg5_iUjIlxDat2Sx3_QIRU/s1600/RIMG2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5guGvp2loo2Bfm4hXF2vHZ3z0Z26gtE_W5mXhNzDGIQW5h64YvZqUdperPMnqjePMdXjzPNl7eJC6yeaFrRTG_I-Zw4BeSDsIoDpxeMJ8mOHqUO7LOlvNcSg5_iUjIlxDat2Sx3_QIRU/s320/RIMG2654.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-75615979907515207122010-09-15T22:52:00.001-07:002010-09-15T23:24:30.889-07:00A Day at the Book Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31whHUSe8kFFvz2JRHMNHsOood3zkO5xgpC4EoPJvkDP-e35WD0-IozorexS1TrMGVcG2Dmn38J9imqvRkcMndXztokJChh7WUxGbgWL_WBI9GZr2y0rKmDESGLXlLM75h4W-0n64ffkA/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31whHUSe8kFFvz2JRHMNHsOood3zkO5xgpC4EoPJvkDP-e35WD0-IozorexS1TrMGVcG2Dmn38J9imqvRkcMndXztokJChh7WUxGbgWL_WBI9GZr2y0rKmDESGLXlLM75h4W-0n64ffkA/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love books! They're my weakness. So, when I found out that the <a href="http://www.manilabookfair.com/">31st Manila International Book Fair</a>, one of the longest running book fairs in Asia (I go every single year!) opened its doors yesterday, I just had to drag Mother (the only other person in our household that loves reading as much as I do) all the way to the SMX near Mall of Asia for it (that's a good hour and a half from our little home in the mountains!). And that hour an a half of hellish traffic we braved through was absoultely worth it! The moment I stepped into that hall, I was in book heaven! Now I know how the Little Boy feels inside a toy store!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rows and rows and rows of books! We spent hours just browsing through all the booths selling kids' books, learning materials for children, piano sheets (for Broadway musicals, Disney movies and even Glee!), hard-to-find sci-fi & fantasy titles, cookbooks... I could go and on about the thousands of books and titles you can find there! It's a bookworm's heaven!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ended up buying more books for the Little Boy and recipe books for the Mister. I got so excited over how cheap some of the cookbooks & kids' books were that I totally forgot to buy books for myself. I was looking for new Francesca Lia Block and new fantasy titles for my little library but I just didn't have time and the strength to carry any more bags of books by then (Mother and I were already sharing 4 heavy ecobags filled with books after just our first hour!).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's some of the stuff I ended up with:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGCllWvRegE4UdbhXKOxl-0ToJN8H210pSGNR9WkT8zZIgeOo7BFoIMTJ8VR3zZvJlT0IVPKEkOndH4OEknu7K3kh4mqQtS2uwjHL-hUXwaAXuX_vj32o1_cIzho_2TEXDN1cKma9MLc/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGCllWvRegE4UdbhXKOxl-0ToJN8H210pSGNR9WkT8zZIgeOo7BFoIMTJ8VR3zZvJlT0IVPKEkOndH4OEknu7K3kh4mqQtS2uwjHL-hUXwaAXuX_vj32o1_cIzho_2TEXDN1cKma9MLc/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop is always at Adarna.<br />
Here's a giant book that'll teach the Little Boy how to tell time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXsRqwYKLNRxoM9oKOYPYXdzGSAGxclSCLtkj5KWK1pKvwfxBLcWQzSR9vqk_ML2H8g23UNe6JD9HP3hZnwMUGswBbVRt1g3b3d2vEdRkB3PMPS5t_8WQYu6aHeIuFMRCj-3yGJqasxCe/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXsRqwYKLNRxoM9oKOYPYXdzGSAGxclSCLtkj5KWK1pKvwfxBLcWQzSR9vqk_ML2H8g23UNe6JD9HP3hZnwMUGswBbVRt1g3b3d2vEdRkB3PMPS5t_8WQYu6aHeIuFMRCj-3yGJqasxCe/s320/IMG_1006.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more books from Adarna!<br />
These are storybooks written in 2 languages: English & Tagalog,<br />
beautifully illustrated by local artists, and only at P55 each!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7eUMejZ3Bz_Z7Baw9wjSpVAG8VCn9EhxoG2V3ZpiGLl8VZeqYqcHfAT-qqv3h3Zyohd0HLuL1afxSrzGtdXmzINGmKfH74wSj1MJ8Qe8_mf3w0rAPPEJYH0ltyc-X0kaVvgARlMrOik0/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7eUMejZ3Bz_Z7Baw9wjSpVAG8VCn9EhxoG2V3ZpiGLl8VZeqYqcHfAT-qqv3h3Zyohd0HLuL1afxSrzGtdXmzINGmKfH74wSj1MJ8Qe8_mf3w0rAPPEJYH0ltyc-X0kaVvgARlMrOik0/s320/IMG_1013.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recipe books & other coffee table books</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KPtQcsCKcb94rpHEne48fneZOhvtZthBxZCyVyxz_uD34jzzoAhoGJGennTEU6KKnnOCwUY-nbvu5FSBuDZ3OgpodFO86FYtAkvqjP6aj3Ya6LqsJ7mNo73NRmoBbYSlmmWTz2NOWBX0/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KPtQcsCKcb94rpHEne48fneZOhvtZthBxZCyVyxz_uD34jzzoAhoGJGennTEU6KKnnOCwUY-nbvu5FSBuDZ3OgpodFO86FYtAkvqjP6aj3Ya6LqsJ7mNo73NRmoBbYSlmmWTz2NOWBX0/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vegetarian cookbooks for just P90 & P60!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuOoKTqQU0ExjiQn0spwveormr8z-r_mO_KcvbKxSX_pUuzquaVs0M3u-Wz2ZgNDxISLfvBHl8ksrGExIJCPH2eUfaOS83fJrgu9PR8dzfI8eEoOx46ncN8dugeoXFfOCMs1CwpF-Ik1z/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuOoKTqQU0ExjiQn0spwveormr8z-r_mO_KcvbKxSX_pUuzquaVs0M3u-Wz2ZgNDxISLfvBHl8ksrGExIJCPH2eUfaOS83fJrgu9PR8dzfI8eEoOx46ncN8dugeoXFfOCMs1CwpF-Ik1z/s320/IMG_1022.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cute little recipe book for vegetable soups<br />
that's actually it's own kitchen stand -- P145</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBn32yRSUR-b0pbATp19zn8vyrymnS9tDBLIR0m4oZ2NmNLxsmybkJwfHTEf4mtBIh4lgJMvbjiIeS0yvb013wKVJm3zRbVj8vM5fr1WCzAhA0Yz-zihXME40d1ctq2cXAiWwNdIvAXLb/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBn32yRSUR-b0pbATp19zn8vyrymnS9tDBLIR0m4oZ2NmNLxsmybkJwfHTEf4mtBIh4lgJMvbjiIeS0yvb013wKVJm3zRbVj8vM5fr1WCzAhA0Yz-zihXME40d1ctq2cXAiWwNdIvAXLb/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we got these hardbound books on entertaining and<br />
gourmet hors d'oeuvres for only P200 each!<br />
(You can actually still see the original prices on the back, each at around P1,500+)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WdIgeJIUqDLIp-zlIoqfrJ7D_ZUqTIil-tCqmejFYAUudkHB9rF5rV51yNNcFrKwUlcxoAZVmKQAJ9CAQVMNBo7hdZoV_R-8gCCtQLBL5SlEueJTkskA5v-NKfmhDfYUiBhCBG7FAVN9/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WdIgeJIUqDLIp-zlIoqfrJ7D_ZUqTIil-tCqmejFYAUudkHB9rF5rV51yNNcFrKwUlcxoAZVmKQAJ9CAQVMNBo7hdZoV_R-8gCCtQLBL5SlEueJTkskA5v-NKfmhDfYUiBhCBG7FAVN9/s320/IMG_1026.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only things I got for myself -- glossies on travel & spa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm pretty happy with my loot this year! Apart from the fact that I missed out on the fantasy books, I'm glad I was able to bring home new storybooks for the Little Boy's bedtime stories. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4UZn61Fz9Wli8gnFrNPIxEHhSC4qFHc-GEI1lPJBlv2VRwtW9ddai0Nmhmf3nQ0IhHY3ljiY3rAtgmIUh-0fJl0O_nLoVWKwjwr0PhQ9X_OvxXNJTzxLLRMCPgFncmZfTf8EBxEdn86Q/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4UZn61Fz9Wli8gnFrNPIxEHhSC4qFHc-GEI1lPJBlv2VRwtW9ddai0Nmhmf3nQ0IhHY3ljiY3rAtgmIUh-0fJl0O_nLoVWKwjwr0PhQ9X_OvxXNJTzxLLRMCPgFncmZfTf8EBxEdn86Q/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If there's one thing I do regret not buying (and I hate it when that happens!), it's this ecobag I saw in a Taiwanese booth selling health books (that were all in Taiwanese) and environment-friendly eating utensils. It was this denim-looking bag that had the words 'coexist with the earth' written across the front. When you look closely though, you'll see that it isn't actually denim. In fact, it's made of recycled PET bottles. Apparently, Taiwanese people are really gungho about collecting PET bottles and turning it into something new. Something the Philippines could definitely do, too, seeing as how many C2, Real Leaf, softdrinks bottles end up in our trash cans everyday! The bag was being sold for P600 and I hesitated because of the price. Looking back now, P600 wasn't bad! It actually looked pretty sturdy, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'd go back if I could. Unfortunately, noone wants to brave the Manila traffic today and I'm leaving for Palawan tomorrow for a retreat. Besides, I think I'm already broke, I'm pretty sure I blew all of this year's book budget during just those few hours so I guess that was it for me at this year's Book Fair. Boo.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For all my fellow booklovers though, if you have time, do stop by the book fair this weekend! You still have four days to go! Admission fee's just P20. It's open from 10am to 8PM daily until Sunday the 19th at the SMX Convention Center right by Mall of Asia. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have fun! :)</span></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-27726000998754191522010-09-02T22:35:00.001-07:002010-09-02T22:43:31.489-07:00Why Having a Garage Sale is a Green Thing To Do<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whew, it took me days to finish that last post! And at the rate I'm going, it's going to take me weeks more just to finish writing about our last couple of trips to Boracay and Bali! I've been wanting to write more (I swear!) but for the past few days, we've just been so busy hauling boxes of junk, going through bins and bins of all sorts of toys, clothes, books, appliances, knick-knacks and whathaveyous and now selling them to neighbours, family & friends at a week-long garage sale.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Living in a compound with 6 other adults (including now grown-up girls) plus a preschooler can result in a LOT of junk! The last time we went up to our attic, the floor wasn't even visible anymore with all the clutter we've managed to collect over the years. And I guess that was the time when my dad finally put his foot down and decided it was time to get rid of everything.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Perfect timing, too. We had soooo much stuff we wanted to get rid of and we were trying to raise some funds for our mom's 50th birthday gift, so it was the perfect time to have the garage sale really!)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-Db1ZxEX5cizJpeYKTdRYcBAvoSUdlRH7n_8lmWrVFH78bpJBqqMps3FoluTOZdzgHu8Fgb1ACQ5dbqxsxmrfFyu0JosXXCt7be249FkVRU0mMc9a16Ks7WjFhD0eoYEnoTL1UBeadnO/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-Db1ZxEX5cizJpeYKTdRYcBAvoSUdlRH7n_8lmWrVFH78bpJBqqMps3FoluTOZdzgHu8Fgb1ACQ5dbqxsxmrfFyu0JosXXCt7be249FkVRU0mMc9a16Ks7WjFhD0eoYEnoTL1UBeadnO/s320/IMG_0985.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You see, we're all big packrats plus we're such a sentimental bunch, too! And that made the sorting such a difficult task. My sisters and I were all holding on to cute little dresses, tutus and flower fairy costumes that we wore when we were tiny little girls just because it brought back so many childhood memories. I couldn't let myself part with my old pair of super worn out leather cowboy boots just because it was a Christmas present from my sister, even if I knew I was never going to wear it anymore. Up in the attic, it looked like a mini toy store with dolls, board games, toys galore! My sisters and I even had our very own fully furnished Barbie doll house with matching pink convertible! And even a mini pretend supermarket counter! And as much as it pained us to go through everything, trying to decide which ones to keep and which ones to dispose of, it was just something we finally had to do. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All the sorting through all our old stuff actually made for a very fun (but looooong day) of reminiscing, too! :p</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKMbEXPtX-7uV8fXZoCvdZ5FBuJ8U9Yf1dypUS1CteMJTjL8to3RqcLk0c_Ke4uGwsArp_wmRvx-sAlmt4gvjzFnsAofJF1hf-GUYGeMdWuTVG3VylJQMJuogER34TOevis1p5IIwEggL/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKMbEXPtX-7uV8fXZoCvdZ5FBuJ8U9Yf1dypUS1CteMJTjL8to3RqcLk0c_Ke4uGwsArp_wmRvx-sAlmt4gvjzFnsAofJF1hf-GUYGeMdWuTVG3VylJQMJuogER34TOevis1p5IIwEggL/s320/IMG_0991.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYW0inLMmllpeSbAMfc8tH98mlmXhtps76TEa9oYtJcvXuSQT0mGblsEQE5uQ9YzapuoC4QRV5-vS_4U6zpITJdyKWf5qtqRJpSC3xQZ5P1RNEnUZbggWECde8cc8yGnT3M3QbGkn0Hmf/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYW0inLMmllpeSbAMfc8tH98mlmXhtps76TEa9oYtJcvXuSQT0mGblsEQE5uQ9YzapuoC4QRV5-vS_4U6zpITJdyKWf5qtqRJpSC3xQZ5P1RNEnUZbggWECde8cc8yGnT3M3QbGkn0Hmf/s320/IMG_0992.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When our house was up, just one look at the Little Boy's room was enough to tell us that he had way more toys than he knows what to do with. And as a mommy, I was even worse than he was in trying to keep toys he no longer played with or needed. I would reason out that this toy was one of his first toys or that this toy was his favorite for a few months when he was 2... I lost the debates to the Mister, of course, but he still let me keep a few of the Little Boy's first and most treasured toys. Fair enough.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7-GnXTQRUoR4EJ2p75gm-pl-cjQ6j0xIB519HFqtWzfNModHjo3Pq_QafrW9aAIURnwRiZkepn0cgK3Uyl-d3kO6vAcqsFzoAgrd8EgXmGhvDIbnh4xFGrz2CP8SDYEumBLznkRKzHiV/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7-GnXTQRUoR4EJ2p75gm-pl-cjQ6j0xIB519HFqtWzfNModHjo3Pq_QafrW9aAIURnwRiZkepn0cgK3Uyl-d3kO6vAcqsFzoAgrd8EgXmGhvDIbnh4xFGrz2CP8SDYEumBLznkRKzHiV/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And when it came to our own closets... man, I'm even embrassed to say just how long it took me to go through mine. In the end, I ended up with 2 bins full of clothes and accessories and even a few pairs of shoes! And I can't tell you how great it feels to know that now, choosing what to wear won't be such a difficult task anymore.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3ssUNBk3ClxBJMdm7qDTwFTttDMnZ9IzZ6aG9n40_7pWr-0FoAvs3X8pzXpdzS45Lv8OR_9fq6-ieZr7ZQoV6walQ4sYOQwPJ-SWdX8WVRvrwq1N7y_bSQ8vW1LfJwdglVHqpzzqhSvz/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3ssUNBk3ClxBJMdm7qDTwFTttDMnZ9IzZ6aG9n40_7pWr-0FoAvs3X8pzXpdzS45Lv8OR_9fq6-ieZr7ZQoV6walQ4sYOQwPJ-SWdX8WVRvrwq1N7y_bSQ8vW1LfJwdglVHqpzzqhSvz/s320/IMG_0983.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zA-njUevfvdYy2lc6OvHxHPWe8p6KhgW4VIAeDnEQ3gHYvpG7S00v2-cbrgJkSsIZGdkfDjdbyFRx7mOJCSe1sMG6T_zXt6WHruwv2gvNl8shY3L9RPJFfnvff9EK6A2pqpKMGilv2y6/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zA-njUevfvdYy2lc6OvHxHPWe8p6KhgW4VIAeDnEQ3gHYvpG7S00v2-cbrgJkSsIZGdkfDjdbyFRx7mOJCSe1sMG6T_zXt6WHruwv2gvNl8shY3L9RPJFfnvff9EK6A2pqpKMGilv2y6/s320/IMG_0994.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So now, we're out in the garage, taking turns in attending to the garage sale. We've been doing this since Monday and while we've sold sooooo much stuff already, we're still left with more than half of the junk and the old stuff we've brought out.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFopFB4F9t4j9mDLpjBbRc7OJJwPVnFvY193ZEcXSuUMB-zvoMvZI8OL2vZMh1BFoO9UBUy0ADnXBQL9bD0sUVdP0VwDnoUVCD-cVE1YR96_z78V_zbGDwVoexzfg04ZqhiReQSc5AJSKM/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFopFB4F9t4j9mDLpjBbRc7OJJwPVnFvY193ZEcXSuUMB-zvoMvZI8OL2vZMh1BFoO9UBUy0ADnXBQL9bD0sUVdP0VwDnoUVCD-cVE1YR96_z78V_zbGDwVoexzfg04ZqhiReQSc5AJSKM/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We have all sorts of knick-knacks from lamps to fairy lights; from old china sets to pans & pots for the kitchen; from facial steamers to curling irons; from tennis rackets to golf clubs; from toolboxes to stereos; from intercoms to old cellphones... things we've forgotten we had! These were all stuff we had too much of that we probably knew we were never going to use but kept anyway with the usual <em>"I'll open/wear/use it someday..."</em> until of course, it gets buried among all the other junk until it's all but forgotten.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Having this garage sale is easily one of the most exhausting, most stressful things our family has ever done. But it also became one of the most meaningful (and greenest) things we've ever done as a family.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Green Benefit #1: Now, we get our attic back! We can finally go up there without going on a coughing / sneezing spree from all the dust. And for a family of asthmatics, that's a BIG thing!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Green Benefit #2: By opening the garage sale to our friends, family and neighbours (especially our good ol' neighbourhood tricycle drivers who are the most thrilled with all the clothes, shoes, appliances they can buy for just a day's work), we give other people a chance to buy secondhand which means a few less people buying more things at the malls/supermarkets. Remember, even the smallest things we purchase "brand new" contribute to the large-scale cycle of consumption & waste. So be a wise consumer. ;)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Green Benefit #3: Just seeing how much stuff and junk we've collected through the years and seeing all these things that we are now trying to get rid off, it made us all realize just how much of the things we buy are simply things we don't really need.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Interestingly, yesterday, I came across this article online:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/get-on-board-the-non-consumption-train.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.care2.com/greenliving/get-on-board-the-non-consumption-train.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I think it presents some good guidelines to follow from now on when buying stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last thing isn't really green or anything that concerns the environment... But having this garage sale taught us a lot about the value of some things we took forgranted before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's a good happy feeling! Seeing someone excited over a hardly-ever-worn pair of Nike Prestos for just P200; or a dress from Mango (that I've only worn twice) that I only sold for P50; Levi's jeans being sold at 3 for P100; unopened sets of Victoria's Secret perfumes & toiletries at only P300! Things that we never really thought had much value anymore (since we never use them) and when you see a little girl's face light up when she finds that she can buy a Barbie doll for just P10, it certainly is a reality check.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday, we had a tricycle driver come in to ask about the 2 laptops we were selling. The Mister and I decided to get rid of his laptop (an old Asus model) and my old one (a small white Twinhead). We weren't really using either laptop anymore and the Mister has been planning to get a new one, too, so we decided to let both laptops go for P10,000. When the driver came in to ask how much it was, he was surprised when we said P10k and that's for both already. He walked away though so we didn't think he'd come back for it. After a few hours, he came back with a plastic bag of coins. He said it was P10,000 worth of P10 coins that he took out from his <em>alkansya (coin/piggy bank)</em>. It was such a special moment because he looked so happy and so proud that he would be able to buy his daughter who was on her 4th year in college a laptop that she needed for school with just his piggy bank savings! He kept saying how happy he was to be able to find laptops he could afford for his children and that his kids will be so happy! Made us feel all warm & fuzzy, too! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More shoppers to attend to now! See you later!</span>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-20699636882962450542010-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:002010-09-01T20:18:14.286-07:00Rockin' the Kasbah for Lunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJouCn6kzu90XBLzDoAmZ_E8yt44GKZnoDXqulGm69ANcvJNUtIbvksOJJdnA1JxZV7O0OeQnCgW-KmEuMvBwRvp9_jc5v2fKW1a-lzhG2MGknsDn6vPpf_brOq6NIPLECoQeyqRZX6Dd/s1600/DSC06616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJouCn6kzu90XBLzDoAmZ_E8yt44GKZnoDXqulGm69ANcvJNUtIbvksOJJdnA1JxZV7O0OeQnCgW-KmEuMvBwRvp9_jc5v2fKW1a-lzhG2MGknsDn6vPpf_brOq6NIPLECoQeyqRZX6Dd/s320/DSC06616.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Mister and I have always wanted to try dining at <a href="http://www.kasbahboracay.com/">Kasbah</a> ever since it opened a few years back and after we'd heard and read so much about their flavorful tagines and interesting Moroccan food. But since for the past few summers, we had been visiting Boracay with the rest of my family (rest of the family being my sisters, my dad and my mom), we had to keep giving Kasbah a miss since my folks aren't exactly the adventurous types when it comes to food and have always been skeptical about our food and restaurant choices (especially after a near-disaster birthday dinner I insisted to have at Bollywood in Greenbelt a few years ago).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When we booked this visit though (initially just for the Mister, the Little Boy and I), we knew we would finally have a chance to dine at Kasbah this time! And after my mom decided to come along, we immediately gave her a heads up and told her that it was set: we were eating at Kasbah, no matter what.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So one rainy afternoon, we finally found the perfect opportunity to persuade my mom to let us treat her to a lunch at nearby Kasbah. She didn't have a choice really. It was still drizzling a bit and we were all too lazy to go to D'Mall or anywhere else for lunch so Kasbah, which was just next door to Discovery Shores, was perfect!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They had the usual bamboo scaffolding+plastic sheets barrier set up right in front so we weren't able to enjoy our meal on the couches they had right on the beach nor did we get a very good view of the sea while we had our lunch, so that was a bummer! And when we got inside, most of the chairs were still wet from the rain (the place is really small), a few chairs & tables were overturned, and there was hardly anyone there, we weren't sure if they were actually open!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUG2nLNoyLz7cqJCduRwZEa_Iy1e2rSS0VSVIneNbPvuJIni97OYurc7sPk7Pf0jUrlLy43gRzNB4ec-XW14-ZZ1MzZ3-PWDFtb1k9UqaWjFooQpgnDSiyKKcHbgXFteC9Cf1xvFtNUHA/s1600/DSC06599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUG2nLNoyLz7cqJCduRwZEa_Iy1e2rSS0VSVIneNbPvuJIni97OYurc7sPk7Pf0jUrlLy43gRzNB4ec-XW14-ZZ1MzZ3-PWDFtb1k9UqaWjFooQpgnDSiyKKcHbgXFteC9Cf1xvFtNUHA/s320/DSC06599.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We had to wait a few more minutes before somebody actually noticed us and gave us a table inside. But once we were seated, all the bright pinks, blues, yellows and purples cheered us right up and got us excited for what would be an interesting Moroccan lunch.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We ordered the Tangier Calamares <em>(P355), exquisitely stuffed squid with a mixture of garlic herbed rice in a piquant tomato sauce </em>-- as described in their menu, and it was exactly what we got. Four medium-sized squid stuffed with herbed garlic rice; a simple dish but the spicy tomato-based sauce made it a winner!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngFQ2m8swSWiihr7IpZXUcCx_sBpybbsfKkpLROugKnZS7o3zFX9fcYMA0SGmY20olR3tNqKLBOiWLqGMCiq6JtbU_e8Mf8oa6mKp6Q16zOJTviMVlXmBKaOczL7N4KS_t6X-_mGVUHVr/s1600/DSC06612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngFQ2m8swSWiihr7IpZXUcCx_sBpybbsfKkpLROugKnZS7o3zFX9fcYMA0SGmY20olR3tNqKLBOiWLqGMCiq6JtbU_e8Mf8oa6mKp6Q16zOJTviMVlXmBKaOczL7N4KS_t6X-_mGVUHVr/s320/DSC06612.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZLlBII25pfKfp-FvmZRIoC6aZJnt3baE3fdcu40E1JVpCdjzF3Yz4eWZZN4IkDgJ8w7iKALGz_uUB3szAM83XkFf8L8bnS_GrZvmQkMAL_l51ABDTy_AE1nRh6XW59WIk5zZclHRX0kU/s1600/DSC06622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZLlBII25pfKfp-FvmZRIoC6aZJnt3baE3fdcu40E1JVpCdjzF3Yz4eWZZN4IkDgJ8w7iKALGz_uUB3szAM83XkFf8L8bnS_GrZvmQkMAL_l51ABDTy_AE1nRh6XW59WIk5zZclHRX0kU/s320/DSC06622.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was meant to be an appetizer but could have easily been a good entree, too! This was actually my favorite dish out of everything we ordered!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For Mother, we played it safe and ordered Chicken Brochette <em>(P300)</em> and asked if we could have it cooked with as little spice as possible. Boo. :(</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj8FRqFNv_v3frcGewdptGJ5ngvOHiVjcflfCrV8NZsHdVCRWrTX4qRA3UOy6xCnfmm7ESRrdMvI_odnQl7mnWZQn_MWbrcmBIP_DLQjnkhurBs6pI2OhfSDfR0kEHLxNWjV7tX9vXtMt/s1600/DSC06618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj8FRqFNv_v3frcGewdptGJ5ngvOHiVjcflfCrV8NZsHdVCRWrTX4qRA3UOy6xCnfmm7ESRrdMvI_odnQl7mnWZQn_MWbrcmBIP_DLQjnkhurBs6pI2OhfSDfR0kEHLxNWjV7tX9vXtMt/s320/DSC06618.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On their website & menu, it says that brochettes are basically Moroccan Meat Skewers -- <em>Morocco is renowned for its street stall food of savoury skewers seasoned with cumin, coriander, lemon, garlic and black pepper served with chermoula or harissa dip. Succulently tender. </em>Too bad we had to request for it not to be too spicy! While I don't exactly know just how much spices and flavors they had to leave out, the chicken was actually still pretty yummy! In fact, Mother loved it so much, she swears she'll help us drag the rest of the family for a meal at Kasbah next time we're in Boracay! Yay!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And then we had to get a traditional Moroccan tagine, of course! Especially after seeing all the bright, colorful tagines displayed all around the place. Again, according to their website, a tagine is <em>a traditional Moroccan dish combining the most exquisite ingredients slowly cooked to enhance the flavors, the conical shaped lid ensures that the dish is kept moist and enthused with the flavour and aroma of the spices. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We wanted to try the Seafood Saffron Tagine <em>(Solo P425; To Share P810) </em>that we had heard so much about but oddly enough, they were out of seafood. :s So we went with the Lamb Tagine with prunes, hard-boiled eggs, honey and almonds <em>(Solo P445; To Share P850) </em>instead.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3lQknX1ggXo2n4998_prE3gDpp7tkqAFPwOyxRiPOQspnXPXbyFOxflETK-XZ6kgrD-ELPPgye5w2IuWudK3gg-gZKHM2rEYTb9LP62AmZ_bq2c-d9jbx759NRqR9Op9RFgVUvaAtI5q/s1600/DSC06620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3lQknX1ggXo2n4998_prE3gDpp7tkqAFPwOyxRiPOQspnXPXbyFOxflETK-XZ6kgrD-ELPPgye5w2IuWudK3gg-gZKHM2rEYTb9LP62AmZ_bq2c-d9jbx759NRqR9Op9RFgVUvaAtI5q/s320/DSC06620.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The flavors were great! The honey and the prunes had imparted a sweet taste that perfectly complemented the gamey taste and the super tender meat of the lamb. The only thing was, it was barely warm when it was served to us so it took away from what would've been a perfect dish. :( Nevertheless, it was still pretty good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The tagine came with basmati rice, but we ordered an extra plate of couscous just for good measure and to complete the whole Moroccan meal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Overall, our lunch at Kasbah was great! The hearty, spiced meals paired with our fresh fruit shakes was just perfect for a rainy day at the beach. </span><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Though, I would have to say that Kasbah doesn't look too great during the daytime especially when the couches out front are all covered and I would imagine a dinner experience at Kasbah would've been a lot better. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksHaDpnxJ3uwjLtEsvh2t1b3ONd7tMjO1ZUyxbgS7iEPcWlXC4-F2-3v3Ffm26pOz1BUrx-0dz6xM_d_oBKHQAkLrGv9CS-tF_l8YdPmRM35qdMva1hRcquLFHvdExl7dNJA5xqB7KMWn/s1600/DSC06637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksHaDpnxJ3uwjLtEsvh2t1b3ONd7tMjO1ZUyxbgS7iEPcWlXC4-F2-3v3Ffm26pOz1BUrx-0dz6xM_d_oBKHQAkLrGv9CS-tF_l8YdPmRM35qdMva1hRcquLFHvdExl7dNJA5xqB7KMWn/s320/DSC06637.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The best part of the meal? We dined on a Tuesday and they had just launched their Toss-Up Tuesdays where if you win in a heads or tails coin toss-up, you actually get 50% off on your food! And, we won!!! Yay!! So we paid just half for a meal which would've otherwise cost us a lot (prices are a bit steep even for Boracay standards though I would have to say the food was worth it!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The only negative part about this whole experience is how badly we've been craving for more tagines and Moroccan food ever since, knowing we would have to wait until our next Boracay trip for it! :'(</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lnNmKiJaa_FipjFoued4yqNdXzfTpNDPwLPP7trPj0Wzj3ZCT18UdxCR7BUEpxU7AnPXMytdyTfoQo0Si7bkb_D8XzxibRN-WoIg4tLhSiDfG87_6Ay35knliPV5f6pWtTBkNZNCOPHJ/s1600/DSC06603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lnNmKiJaa_FipjFoued4yqNdXzfTpNDPwLPP7trPj0Wzj3ZCT18UdxCR7BUEpxU7AnPXMytdyTfoQo0Si7bkb_D8XzxibRN-WoIg4tLhSiDfG87_6Ay35knliPV5f6pWtTBkNZNCOPHJ/s320/DSC06603.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br />
</span>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-86165277257681209042010-08-26T09:49:00.002-07:002010-08-26T10:26:42.299-07:00the Best Boracay Breakfasts at Real Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizwBz2SFdP8F0u8vt6Y3yxbL_fM7vNRs52DQGoDhx7PtvHKNOGuy4KTyOeHBf5bGde0Fgn_sfJEdkxfYVRZ0Kw53XuPDpTqXQQFS2VYwNOlvNCeAa0ni9-gioU1YSvtSKfDydxGO8AwuP/s1600/DSC07075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizwBz2SFdP8F0u8vt6Y3yxbL_fM7vNRs52DQGoDhx7PtvHKNOGuy4KTyOeHBf5bGde0Fgn_sfJEdkxfYVRZ0Kw53XuPDpTqXQQFS2VYwNOlvNCeAa0ni9-gioU1YSvtSKfDydxGO8AwuP/s320/DSC07075.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's funny how despite the fact that I hardly ever wake up before 10 in the morning, breakfast still remains my favorite meal of the day! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Even if I wake up past noon sometimes when everyone else is having lunch, I still must have breakfast food.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I found myself frequenting this tiny little shack, hidden in a small alley off White Beach at the end of station 1 for my omelette or iced mocha or french toast fix during our past few trips to Boracay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zkRtkfLJVx0DSo9kEhEsrKSJVCM3YDvjXF2wr_9XjmoereYP00OHTQr8TQObvj_QE959xYf4Yi8NP8JzszbBaa9bmcT2tIPTKjidAZz75KyAQlKG8vP16PwgQ36cE6dxZy-HxKfU5sB8/s1600/DSC06559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zkRtkfLJVx0DSo9kEhEsrKSJVCM3YDvjXF2wr_9XjmoereYP00OHTQr8TQObvj_QE959xYf4Yi8NP8JzszbBaa9bmcT2tIPTKjidAZz75KyAQlKG8vP16PwgQ36cE6dxZy-HxKfU5sB8/s320/DSC06559.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Real Coffee has become somewhat of an institution on this island already. For years and years now (since 1996 apaprently), Real Coffee has been the go-to place for good coffee and even better breakfasts in Boracay. On any given day, you get both locals, tourists, or long-staying island guests visiting this tiny little hut for coffee and their all-day breakfast!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEdO348aYSCKJABZ1_crLSXHVq4lte3TuQsp2ZKkckTX_eoi_tN0JmJm5R55a7qJw_idGcwLXfR9cWjjH99Tcy-wLeoJeSe0MGB7dwjQvIq-VBSaJwPX0U4OoPuPZDs-Hen7Ecn-WeNa7/s1600/DSC06547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEdO348aYSCKJABZ1_crLSXHVq4lte3TuQsp2ZKkckTX_eoi_tN0JmJm5R55a7qJw_idGcwLXfR9cWjjH99Tcy-wLeoJeSe0MGB7dwjQvIq-VBSaJwPX0U4OoPuPZDs-Hen7Ecn-WeNa7/s320/DSC06547.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Some say Real Coffee has become the tourist magnet it is now because of its coffee (at one point, it was the only place where you could get a good cup of coffee on the whole island!).. While others say that its the warm, friendly owner, Lee, that keeps them coming back... Most will argue though that Real Coffee owes its fame to the legendary calamansi muffin!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYV4t87DVsLG5dJRrzHULDKI95gSh17T_-uGSJPkZckndoCHvgyK8OXQWFVQjGm4KIYu7EFNhhPjh66jKIFOInz6JFpTtqaEbieghDjcI1FcOfgwOcs9ga2CzGjpZhYTqHnteXPXNpiYI/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYV4t87DVsLG5dJRrzHULDKI95gSh17T_-uGSJPkZckndoCHvgyK8OXQWFVQjGm4KIYu7EFNhhPjh66jKIFOInz6JFpTtqaEbieghDjcI1FcOfgwOcs9ga2CzGjpZhYTqHnteXPXNpiYI/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baking muffins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWbZQOFGTNyN49kXqdUCAxkQqk34UaLRP0ErwKtpSQDNauCIpcl9dIbWpV-D-IaQpj_2BZdgoM-MZTAQrih9339lvbfysPgsAtMtUgiS2Ls7Gbe3aeTAt1dk0AhX_eegzZxcHlTo4R6kk/s1600/DSC07074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWbZQOFGTNyN49kXqdUCAxkQqk34UaLRP0ErwKtpSQDNauCIpcl9dIbWpV-D-IaQpj_2BZdgoM-MZTAQrih9339lvbfysPgsAtMtUgiS2Ls7Gbe3aeTAt1dk0AhX_eegzZxcHlTo4R6kk/s320/DSC07074.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Personally, I fell in love with the place just because of its rugged island charm! With its tiny nipa hut structure; its bamboo tables, stools & chairs; the homey open kitchen where the smiling staff busy themselves with brewing coffee, making pancakes and omelettes, baking muffins and serving their guests; their light laughing banter with each other and their guests; mismatched mugs, china and coffee cups; the small jars of Clara Ole jam that they serve with your toast with the bread knife sticking right out of it; and that fat lazy cat that's always ALWAYS napping on one of the stools every single time I'm there... makes being at Real Coffee feel just like having breakfast in your own kitchen. A nice airy kitchen in the province with a view of the blue sea from afar, that is.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v2nioMTODGqb_YdkpXduNqFuhNjuyjqSctARgiDh3J0o48JaDfD-7K32eFtk6pDWcFO4WfxSUazynTu2SXKNMuf0hS-AxZtybDzILzXXdLjD2nhdoDwrBWMQyEOvmMhfrTGQaH8M61ar/s1600/DSC07076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v2nioMTODGqb_YdkpXduNqFuhNjuyjqSctARgiDh3J0o48JaDfD-7K32eFtk6pDWcFO4WfxSUazynTu2SXKNMuf0hS-AxZtybDzILzXXdLjD2nhdoDwrBWMQyEOvmMhfrTGQaH8M61ar/s320/DSC07076.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8rmCHUpd9NcFpsl0XhVJo5EgAe-CC4GqpTmgd6szplE0BSj86r3fXPHf8uiqMR1ro3T3SiAGzozoxR-69Qkuq4aC4xH9xDdKcETMlNjk5Y-38JNKeksYb4BhAx_kI99rEzNEJlf6P1if/s1600/DSC07073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8rmCHUpd9NcFpsl0XhVJo5EgAe-CC4GqpTmgd6szplE0BSj86r3fXPHf8uiqMR1ro3T3SiAGzozoxR-69Qkuq4aC4xH9xDdKcETMlNjk5Y-38JNKeksYb4BhAx_kI99rEzNEJlf6P1if/s320/DSC07073.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjboJ3URbQ6gfrDFDqplQ8V40mZmeB6tVYPoj79eXO4qpAM2TRcgOkLBehCaei5FtPn8m3sRF8axU0BusBxd-xgv8GjkfaQvGyyptAHv5eT7IvyfJ9ehfQ7PdyGPRvN0pkhiT5Cn4Cw35M/s1600/IMG_0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjboJ3URbQ6gfrDFDqplQ8V40mZmeB6tVYPoj79eXO4qpAM2TRcgOkLBehCaei5FtPn8m3sRF8axU0BusBxd-xgv8GjkfaQvGyyptAHv5eT7IvyfJ9ehfQ7PdyGPRvN0pkhiT5Cn4Cw35M/s320/IMG_0211.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Having breakfast at Real Coffee has never failed to cheer me up or just to give me a great kickstart to another day at the beach. And our Real Coffee breakfast on this last visit to Boracay wasn't going to change that.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We arrived in Boracay too early on our first day and while the staff at Discovery Shores were kind enough to give us a temporary room, technically, we really weren't checked-in yet, which meant that complimentary breakfasts didn't apply just yet. Yay! Perfect excuse to head out and bring my mom and the boys to Real Coffee for some good ol' island breakfast fare then.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b3lyP8kH5dY1azU9_NdSgZOAvhZMiobAew8cdv22HYtR6LL5NGUByDDd90Ta48iUY8mdxDNMJ4I4iSSbeI6teOc8fzkYrxMW032pW5oZAz3ZLy2UrLRIeQJcjzyclMf5bAjRojEOAQtd/s1600/DSC07072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b3lyP8kH5dY1azU9_NdSgZOAvhZMiobAew8cdv22HYtR6LL5NGUByDDd90Ta48iUY8mdxDNMJ4I4iSSbeI6teOc8fzkYrxMW032pW5oZAz3ZLy2UrLRIeQJcjzyclMf5bAjRojEOAQtd/s320/DSC07072.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And boy, did we need comfort food on that first day! After a traumatic flight to Caticlan (turbulence almost throughout the entire flight with a couple of violent dips in the air -- I swear I thought it was the end of us!) and an even rougher landing, all of us needed a good pick-me-up! And Real Coffee certainly did not fail us!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YOejxU33Uzbm6vVOI9KzQw4BbykD8Pi85fEpCwg8ycXzywUgDSVSZU2vX2ExiCBo_AKWXMNFln1vIsas-rOMvIvkmtIveSmYzLsngPDa8auL_EL64dKlw8ZJXeQjxcF-DaPdpERWC7I7/s1600/DSC06494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YOejxU33Uzbm6vVOI9KzQw4BbykD8Pi85fEpCwg8ycXzywUgDSVSZU2vX2ExiCBo_AKWXMNFln1vIsas-rOMvIvkmtIveSmYzLsngPDa8auL_EL64dKlw8ZJXeQjxcF-DaPdpERWC7I7/s320/DSC06494.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eek! The plane ride from hell. :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My mom ordered their Jack-A-Lean Omelette <em>(P250)</em> -- <em>two eggs, onions, tomatoes, tuna and cheese with toast</em>. Now, cheese in an omelette always does it for me but what makes this omelette even better is when you have them put in some pesto (for an <em>add'l P20</em>) so of course I had to be devil's advocate to Mother and convinced her to go for the pesto version. </span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzFHXWvbVxuRk8ZQxmuuECKGR0_frr7M1HpOYmKqKm9iWguLs3EkR-a8Y9PtWwZ8YmX5F2YhP_0B1scMp4nQpF1ng5oUE_5kE855tR8U8E2IorpRBaHLUdm2ENyqGF06tUdH5zIJJpRDW/s1600/DSC06552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzFHXWvbVxuRk8ZQxmuuECKGR0_frr7M1HpOYmKqKm9iWguLs3EkR-a8Y9PtWwZ8YmX5F2YhP_0B1scMp4nQpF1ng5oUE_5kE855tR8U8E2IorpRBaHLUdm2ENyqGF06tUdH5zIJJpRDW/s320/DSC06552.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Jack-A-Lean Omelette with Pesto & Toast</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This Jack-A-Lean Omelette is actually a lighter and as the name suggests, leaner version of one of their best-sellers, the Jack's Omelette <em>(P280)</em> that's made with 3 eggs instead of Jack-A-Lean's 2 eggs! And man, the Jack-A-Lean was already a pretty big breakfast! Mother couldn't even finish it and that was with me stealing forkfuls, too! So I can't even imagine how anyone can even finish the Jack's!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All their breakfast specials come with a cup of brewed coffee or a cup of tea so my mom got her caffeine fix for free! :) So for P270, that's not a pretty bad deal!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Mister and I decided to split one of our Real Coffee favorites: the Zesto Pesto sandwich with cheese (<em>P220</em>). It was a very hard decision to make though: it was between this or their Egg Salad with Cheese (<em>P170</em>) which is just as amazing!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqs0m1S9mHwqlvaAIOlCu-hf19XKKLB2gHg_7P-O-l5r9sdPXne_Ix3PiNhg_nUOfHq2QNhFSTacq8GEEvZxFLbi8fs1KtcO5wkVqzV1CSYayFWaozhOeGsnnQezrjT9MCU9DAQZ3Jo4T/s1600/DSC06553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqs0m1S9mHwqlvaAIOlCu-hf19XKKLB2gHg_7P-O-l5r9sdPXne_Ix3PiNhg_nUOfHq2QNhFSTacq8GEEvZxFLbi8fs1KtcO5wkVqzV1CSYayFWaozhOeGsnnQezrjT9MCU9DAQZ3Jo4T/s320/DSC06553.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zesto Pesto with Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In the end, I think we made the right choice! Chunks of chicken in mayo and pesto mixed with super gooey melted cheese topped with tomatoes & lettuce sandwiched between two toasted, heavily buttered bread. YUM! We couldn't finish this either, their portions were just a bit too big for us, and trust me, that says a lot! :|</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Little Boy being a little French Toast addict at home wanted to try Real Coffee's version. While they had a regular French Toast with Syrup (<em>P130</em>) on the menu, we decided to try the Mango French Toast (<em>P160</em>) which was basically thick slices of mangoes in between two slices of French Toast. Pretty good, too. But I remain faithful to their Banana Pancake (<em>P130</em>) or their Peanut Butter & Mango Jam Sandwich (<em>P100</em>).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_3tOSqa9SHIqXo9iFJTor21LhivGlVfiGW8bVox_aLRbE4EDp2qr1zkDtKEXiEFyb0lgZP_l5S3zIVFfgjE6ynP__TuFCE5DVJigFFAwJ8eeK2WTJo5cxsUvN0fSntcRGZ_67vgz0MC/s1600/DSC06557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_3tOSqa9SHIqXo9iFJTor21LhivGlVfiGW8bVox_aLRbE4EDp2qr1zkDtKEXiEFyb0lgZP_l5S3zIVFfgjE6ynP__TuFCE5DVJigFFAwJ8eeK2WTJo5cxsUvN0fSntcRGZ_67vgz0MC/s320/DSC06557.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango French Toast</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For drinks, the Little Boy ordered their Calamansi & Mango Shake (<em>P130</em>) which is the perfect drink to order on a hot summer day (though it was a great citrus pick-me-up for any other day, too!), the Mister ordered the Boracay Buzz (<em>P140</em>) which is basically an Iced Mocha with a banana blended in (we love this drink!! Beats Starbucks' frappucinos anytime! ;p), Mother stuck to her cup of brewed coffee that came with her breakfast set while I finally had the perfect excuse to finally order a hot cup of Cafe Mocha (<em>P100</em>).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wV3A108monKwfg6F2mPACJOu2D5A60CaAsbnhp_zaDtNmWOoZrZWuuNetTy0wJ9qdgXJG65SjUlpcNCraL1dv9aRfk17i9LM6_noebUO-XJIEjAr5F8bWsljxgeTGhEVQkHdchJ6sxa8/s1600/DSC06548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wV3A108monKwfg6F2mPACJOu2D5A60CaAsbnhp_zaDtNmWOoZrZWuuNetTy0wJ9qdgXJG65SjUlpcNCraL1dv9aRfk17i9LM6_noebUO-XJIEjAr5F8bWsljxgeTGhEVQkHdchJ6sxa8/s320/DSC06548.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had to have dessert, even for breakfast so of course, the mandatory Real Coffee calamansi muffin (<em>P45</em>) was a must. They have other baked goodies like Oatmeal Raisin cookies (<em>P20 or 3 for P55</em>), Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies (<em>P80</em>) that I am absolutely dying to try! ..and a really good Banana Muffin with Walnuts (<em>P45</em>) but it's the calamansi muffin's unique tartness that makes me a loyal fan!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6mR987SgvYwO9sp51lrNRbGYodsnIvWZMkiIQsMzctt3x3XRs03E_-xUsDgOFieqDZzNEhraDrcsWkzUjU9-Rmmzz1LSepDv1PYd1nygJ1GnPyrGE9BNAYJyMMkj5J6xkO4L0175GqFZ/s1600/DSC06544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6mR987SgvYwO9sp51lrNRbGYodsnIvWZMkiIQsMzctt3x3XRs03E_-xUsDgOFieqDZzNEhraDrcsWkzUjU9-Rmmzz1LSepDv1PYd1nygJ1GnPyrGE9BNAYJyMMkj5J6xkO4L0175GqFZ/s320/DSC06544.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Calamansi Muffin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mother, who isn't exactly the adventurous type (I was worried about what she'd think of having breakfast in a tiny little kubo hidden in an alley), absolutely loved Real Coffee! She says that it took her back to her 'probinsya days' when breakfasts were quiet, relaxed, slow, simple affairs. :)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVtEtUEmy3rLZj4qEG5SE4gHrLfm0nln5diMeZFxN3vOAnkTzmhC7mG5sz9-ki_7J8ea3aoRmnwsTyqzyIr36X4blykyvnn83u3aSCgOEnkvj-hWxC_6TM7KuJMnqQH_4Bb17KMN8-x7V/s1600/IMG_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVtEtUEmy3rLZj4qEG5SE4gHrLfm0nln5diMeZFxN3vOAnkTzmhC7mG5sz9-ki_7J8ea3aoRmnwsTyqzyIr36X4blykyvnn83u3aSCgOEnkvj-hWxC_6TM7KuJMnqQH_4Bb17KMN8-x7V/s320/IMG_0216.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lazy cat seems to think so, too...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And finally, as a testament to my love for this little island breakfast spot... On our last day in Boracay, despite the lavish breakfast buffet we were entitled to at Discovery Shores, I found myself wide awake at 6 in the morning craving for a calamansi muffin. So w</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">hat's a girl to do? While Mother went to Church and while the boys were still fast asleep, off I went and walked the long stretch of beach from Discovery Shores (from one end of Station 1 to the other) and in some parts, actually waded in thigh-deep waters (it was still high tide at that time) all the way to Real Coffee. Oh, the things I do for a Real Coffee breakfast!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb92CXkf-znXB51e-6W_b8D-PLLus9uFNfv67LqV2REtXQVrIe8lXpF2jE3jPd7n9L1HexGr-CDkMZfDl2rOBaNt-qwJn2MlYxQAVz9IjUWKn5-8UQZt-jtgJ1tOH0sL-FH4YVP-sB9NZ/s1600/DSC07080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb92CXkf-znXB51e-6W_b8D-PLLus9uFNfv67LqV2REtXQVrIe8lXpF2jE3jPd7n9L1HexGr-CDkMZfDl2rOBaNt-qwJn2MlYxQAVz9IjUWKn5-8UQZt-jtgJ1tOH0sL-FH4YVP-sB9NZ/s320/DSC07080.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I got there, I had the whole place to myself so I was able to enjoy a quiet, peaceful breakfast of calamansi muffin and a cold glass of Iced Cafe Mocha <em>(P120)</em>, book in hand, while most of the island was still fast asleep... Bliss! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWMGul8EC0W5blfLNXbM84EoLPhpGpi8M2BTiAbe0EpA8wCx7bh2wWNQRyhpavlaHV6FpvFNyp0zCPom3TBCATvhs8uTz_O57FZCq0f14FyupaZYQLFKDEzVFxS66mPApJxZsmN07Cs0M/s1600/RIMG2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWMGul8EC0W5blfLNXbM84EoLPhpGpi8M2BTiAbe0EpA8wCx7bh2wWNQRyhpavlaHV6FpvFNyp0zCPom3TBCATvhs8uTz_O57FZCq0f14FyupaZYQLFKDEzVFxS66mPApJxZsmN07Cs0M/s320/RIMG2126.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-48795552057113559542010-08-24T23:42:00.040-07:002010-08-25T00:12:28.368-07:00Why I Want To Live in Discovery Shores Boracay Forever<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2XSO8SbtkEC7VaQh5d-vyrMDYhQoRMEMqXBsVbXnRXZWiOEeHTpWxjwTWcSVGtl2M7VOHKi4PPiueWXMaEc4fCfBT7RmpM003_g-RtjSiG9GPVbI9ap92kXkRDUxtzWPe80pBII_lKdc/s1600/DSC07210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2XSO8SbtkEC7VaQh5d-vyrMDYhQoRMEMqXBsVbXnRXZWiOEeHTpWxjwTWcSVGtl2M7VOHKi4PPiueWXMaEc4fCfBT7RmpM003_g-RtjSiG9GPVbI9ap92kXkRDUxtzWPe80pBII_lKdc/s320/DSC07210.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's the little things really...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nothing to do with being shuttled between the Caticlan Pier & Cagban Port on a fancy airconditioned speedboat (complete with refreshing cold towels & bottled water on-board for everyone)..</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDoW37cCaYnjNIHnolqj7QdUK0lC3VU__iqom2NI0F5mlMtWbBIPhlykTuA1mkb8pMIyapnpziTmf8nI7b0mHeq6SIAmyLr1gn4360t5kDIGtogcuf7s9jfYYvZjY1e634DSOJohvM6pF/s1600/DSC03459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDoW37cCaYnjNIHnolqj7QdUK0lC3VU__iqom2NI0F5mlMtWbBIPhlykTuA1mkb8pMIyapnpziTmf8nI7b0mHeq6SIAmyLr1gn4360t5kDIGtogcuf7s9jfYYvZjY1e634DSOJohvM6pF/s320/DSC03459.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the beautiful suites that have everything you could possibly need and want and more..</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooBnXBCbcTPTRbW5eaOr73PgoWA-KQf1o0JkLojrbUegCqpHMQKUyYV6EAayabr8EbCuzhII9BWkrzlVdmwgEb1yKQFGTZmkcBhg5JH-qtNCey59FSlErkAHo6G0UAgHT_t0Wwg9xJYF9/s1600/DSC06578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooBnXBCbcTPTRbW5eaOr73PgoWA-KQf1o0JkLojrbUegCqpHMQKUyYV6EAayabr8EbCuzhII9BWkrzlVdmwgEb1yKQFGTZmkcBhg5JH-qtNCey59FSlErkAHo6G0UAgHT_t0Wwg9xJYF9/s320/DSC06578.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the bedroom in the 1-BR Suite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGYzCTmzsQptepXLINsOvNizwJkcX2vgcuvlYkX_VWxI-C_k41cAbY7hUzG0ymRi8Lr6XwDuWaJ5hA5iSD14-sOfCBGJGYAqNdx1LWlKe9PSVB91V6H1x52VOibLllBP5DUqLNsJwN_4d/s1600/DSC06579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGYzCTmzsQptepXLINsOvNizwJkcX2vgcuvlYkX_VWxI-C_k41cAbY7hUzG0ymRi8Lr6XwDuWaJ5hA5iSD14-sOfCBGJGYAqNdx1LWlKe9PSVB91V6H1x52VOibLllBP5DUqLNsJwN_4d/s320/DSC06579.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bathroom in the 1-BR suite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUDDW4n6nP59JMbqJihLx_SDnvPG4w5kE8oXU637Al-IfKasUJFxf5dWTZWwHk0evxvbq5U46hPw8Ldw6Q1c9CvVsRWs4n4J-MA9YWm7BKNoGHfZ97OnQgyPPDHJJWrb0C2TtlCVUedWK/s1600/DSC06580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUDDW4n6nP59JMbqJihLx_SDnvPG4w5kE8oXU637Al-IfKasUJFxf5dWTZWwHk0evxvbq5U46hPw8Ldw6Q1c9CvVsRWs4n4J-MA9YWm7BKNoGHfZ97OnQgyPPDHJJWrb0C2TtlCVUedWK/s320/DSC06580.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a tub!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKy9ZxAUllDnlbYeDypRvXb6lR6ovVuhmyO9QKyodAaM10D0H66NFTbKsjVEpqwxktLE9tpsGPVGMEvkuLLLM84WiG9vcB8Q7c5N2Iajs4rZbYkvPwGPwTGSw1-v8hkwNnRSCUTQzyEAy/s1600/RIMG1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKy9ZxAUllDnlbYeDypRvXb6lR6ovVuhmyO9QKyodAaM10D0H66NFTbKsjVEpqwxktLE9tpsGPVGMEvkuLLLM84WiG9vcB8Q7c5N2Iajs4rZbYkvPwGPwTGSw1-v8hkwNnRSCUTQzyEAy/s320/RIMG1027.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our own sunbeds and outdoor jacuzzi<br />
in the 2-BR Suite Premiere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not its beautiful beachfront location..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeW92C3MCt8I-zG6qj_McWikEVK0gdJW2N8lmk9dK5qXx6s_xNbCIjjfnNqwO-8FpC3xAEKIunX9FynE29W2ptFLvEN7iPtViKbl9VqPXqZmrePvo8MZOtlfsHSmzex9HXPEGWrVtkNgW/s1600/DSC07111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeW92C3MCt8I-zG6qj_McWikEVK0gdJW2N8lmk9dK5qXx6s_xNbCIjjfnNqwO-8FpC3xAEKIunX9FynE29W2ptFLvEN7iPtViKbl9VqPXqZmrePvo8MZOtlfsHSmzex9HXPEGWrVtkNgW/s320/DSC07111.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the Miami-esque vibe and feel throughout the resort..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-wVh8BkvTYs9gE1KuSTFQaZ-6BP5utvtAWsd9gLBjO8tnB7OGRz5_PiTgThRNcFp6o12JYKdWFMWTlo8LPjaSgm_a-fr0BG7KUTTvDBTIEGzGXB1tOZpUic2QzMTm3jjjPqoC8c1UOgE/s1600/DSC06709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-wVh8BkvTYs9gE1KuSTFQaZ-6BP5utvtAWsd9gLBjO8tnB7OGRz5_PiTgThRNcFp6o12JYKdWFMWTlo8LPjaSgm_a-fr0BG7KUTTvDBTIEGzGXB1tOZpUic2QzMTm3jjjPqoC8c1UOgE/s320/DSC06709.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the fabulous sunbeds I could lounge on for hours..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7roR9bG_5CUss20bXuOmnXHWGdwW7xB8a_ftP3CCO77-Zf3kQENnIE7E0UVikjOoVIKm1uNYndAp3vFdbs1khHf0RK7-cdIrJ7bXAEUcdUmdSPmuOChel5GZmSjSSSUdJ7DiFyRoVEmvT/s1600/DSC07212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7roR9bG_5CUss20bXuOmnXHWGdwW7xB8a_ftP3CCO77-Zf3kQENnIE7E0UVikjOoVIKm1uNYndAp3vFdbs1khHf0RK7-cdIrJ7bXAEUcdUmdSPmuOChel5GZmSjSSSUdJ7DiFyRoVEmvT/s320/DSC07212.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite spot by the poolside</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXUbngauqOzp5iQ9hbfeG7f-Q2cuok1YUdZGSsGEgkWQtDeW6gkYY6aMzamwEKKWkWUxKuBWTk0iH4vxZtm-Yx90ukwHm6qDk-VqvDC_nq9fhyphenhyphenCOeFlbrLfy4To3KqYjTwK19LQTzMwrc/s1600/DSC06828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXUbngauqOzp5iQ9hbfeG7f-Q2cuok1YUdZGSsGEgkWQtDeW6gkYY6aMzamwEKKWkWUxKuBWTk0iH4vxZtm-Yx90ukwHm6qDk-VqvDC_nq9fhyphenhyphenCOeFlbrLfy4To3KqYjTwK19LQTzMwrc/s320/DSC06828.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not its entire gamut of facilities like its game room, kids' playroom, the library, Terra Wellness Spa..</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb7yFob7dpHHO_5QDtUO34p3voGQ2u8t7kjN6-ozVijyDCVsX3xiW6C2uRSHApow8kIfNnjYG0etFN7Dcv0QCfgvfoufveo-wR_98hJn8GFaAUxaJukxqd1lERFY2-weRsqDvUvhJrW41/s1600/Picture+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb7yFob7dpHHO_5QDtUO34p3voGQ2u8t7kjN6-ozVijyDCVsX3xiW6C2uRSHApow8kIfNnjYG0etFN7Dcv0QCfgvfoufveo-wR_98hJn8GFaAUxaJukxqd1lERFY2-weRsqDvUvhJrW41/s320/Picture+097.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Sandbox kiddie playroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the pool or the outdoor jacuzzi..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwMqriZFulPkIPFtpnfqB9TNtxNfTI8ldtKCpF6z_QpCIxJyKU8plKySP-tcDBhyvMqMknWXg04y-CNrMuCJEOdS0onaIS_ks07vfxenaKu0qfDg9CAjcYqkvStntiZlKaV-hLm6USqKg/s1600/DSC06705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwMqriZFulPkIPFtpnfqB9TNtxNfTI8ldtKCpF6z_QpCIxJyKU8plKySP-tcDBhyvMqMknWXg04y-CNrMuCJEOdS0onaIS_ks07vfxenaKu0qfDg9CAjcYqkvStntiZlKaV-hLm6USqKg/s320/DSC06705.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the complimentary shuttle service to and from anywhere on the island..</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwvOqvxaEaPIG6_JlnKUarWHGKc_UOJ6E_d9wbNxu_JupFl4sYDzsZpSkh52xEuzP2q9eqFDyVRdOka8x_lInHd7hNl8mH6RNdUSGGBx-He2539XjHJUL5FpXqTpoqAg3_80zy6_n3NYM/s1600/DSC03567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwvOqvxaEaPIG6_JlnKUarWHGKc_UOJ6E_d9wbNxu_JupFl4sYDzsZpSkh52xEuzP2q9eqFDyVRdOka8x_lInHd7hNl8mH6RNdUSGGBx-He2539XjHJUL5FpXqTpoqAg3_80zy6_n3NYM/s320/DSC03567.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the stunning sunsets you can watch from their snazzy bar and their yummy mojitos..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGkgwCODvmfxcEavHGaQ9oulEvBirmY87oDFRt-P9dOVCnyXzFbWWSpcgCdr0Ol3AyFJbuKUVZ2bLq7ARufAmG1BnB1zVePHMQX8N9Wl66IRiZL25CvDMjrTNuGmH0eBf4T5OTFrUcDqv/s1600/Picture+134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGkgwCODvmfxcEavHGaQ9oulEvBirmY87oDFRt-P9dOVCnyXzFbWWSpcgCdr0Ol3AyFJbuKUVZ2bLq7ARufAmG1BnB1zVePHMQX8N9Wl66IRiZL25CvDMjrTNuGmH0eBf4T5OTFrUcDqv/s320/Picture+134.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLY7BBg0shx7yRAN30su9IdFwo7KzIK-USfAjmCxdFex0YtDmsvQ994AFuphV5HnhHd5jiSdT-XsiXqoHkgej1pVE94pDCs_PNNahp_bYtAjJzLdR9DUn4yQ3M6NhBR_zDvBhPeGDiPrz/s1600/Picture+163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLY7BBg0shx7yRAN30su9IdFwo7KzIK-USfAjmCxdFex0YtDmsvQ994AFuphV5HnhHd5jiSdT-XsiXqoHkgej1pVE94pDCs_PNNahp_bYtAjJzLdR9DUn4yQ3M6NhBR_zDvBhPeGDiPrz/s320/Picture+163.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..not the amazing breakfast buffet spreads that we enjoyed steps from the beach and with an incredible view of the sea...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxam-p-pKdQs41yXgRJdaZiXZvdn4gG9uDslZMOJCYIGAJNfZHY_qLmVW1jZN_9vTvTlrS_-jyxCygzCPvw8GnUXUC91qsHmjxVheramfryhEHDfEBRsGaepQY_2grlWxPyogmQ50FAj75/s1600/DSC07097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxam-p-pKdQs41yXgRJdaZiXZvdn4gG9uDslZMOJCYIGAJNfZHY_qLmVW1jZN_9vTvTlrS_-jyxCygzCPvw8GnUXUC91qsHmjxVheramfryhEHDfEBRsGaepQY_2grlWxPyogmQ50FAj75/s320/DSC07097.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although trust me, those are all very nice (and much, much appreciated), too!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But more than all that, it's really the small things that really got to us... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...the way the pool butlers anticipated and took care of our every single need..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way they raked and cleaned the beach diligently every morning..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN1EH2V6JXV5kQQVc6MdKhnt0LzkTP1x2M8UWcXjVqLClOJBlPx8F8AJ5RARqDT1IeN3fSSddsJxdiHKnpKD7jev1EmXlA_Kkh03moc0un-bjTcpI8dRpQUcBM4q4CCSPwt3BIXZjnfHS/s1600/DSC06786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN1EH2V6JXV5kQQVc6MdKhnt0LzkTP1x2M8UWcXjVqLClOJBlPx8F8AJ5RARqDT1IeN3fSSddsJxdiHKnpKD7jev1EmXlA_Kkh03moc0un-bjTcpI8dRpQUcBM4q4CCSPwt3BIXZjnfHS/s320/DSC06786.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way they always greeted us with refreshing cold towels and a carafe & glasses of cold pandan water whenever we got back from a long walk on the beach..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vAtEPql6QbV23_KLdeyL5HB-i_Q0hf2cQwtXXAbi5LEBaxWhtiGqql76-eIkATjVrnz9RCeNq-JguCTNNo3Ah3nijM7P50g8zwHlZuDrET48b3DgRw5tGkqQyRWIeFXWfWROrehawieG/s1600/DSC06515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vAtEPql6QbV23_KLdeyL5HB-i_Q0hf2cQwtXXAbi5LEBaxWhtiGqql76-eIkATjVrnz9RCeNq-JguCTNNo3Ah3nijM7P50g8zwHlZuDrET48b3DgRw5tGkqQyRWIeFXWfWROrehawieG/s320/DSC06515.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the bin of sand toys they lent and automatically brought to the Little Boy to play with as soon as he stepped onto the beach..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvClHdSpIW7LwfmWQVe07rH2I5HlOqkTNh88Pk1Jy7_maKDOuyOJOHQauq6HHH7LMKy-m-BBBpm93faHFd4MFLg-fjolaFzM9R2QOXLNA1I_-DHelZiXRcJq62OS_E0BhhMs1-sSJQBwM/s1600/DSC06668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvClHdSpIW7LwfmWQVe07rH2I5HlOqkTNh88Pk1Jy7_maKDOuyOJOHQauq6HHH7LMKy-m-BBBpm93faHFd4MFLg-fjolaFzM9R2QOXLNA1I_-DHelZiXRcJq62OS_E0BhhMs1-sSJQBwM/s320/DSC06668.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WTu-qdRLcSV-N_HtR91B5p1y66-4iUiotgFMDz1WF6Rjdm9SRIh9GseKShRgQH6Us30WPVIdY21KgOJ9zU_jQ__US5LbhZsGlLRnaVg1cE88P42nwHI1G-zwyJzX5aNGxiggUm0DoYKa/s1600/DSC06667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WTu-qdRLcSV-N_HtR91B5p1y66-4iUiotgFMDz1WF6Rjdm9SRIh9GseKShRgQH6Us30WPVIdY21KgOJ9zU_jQ__US5LbhZsGlLRnaVg1cE88P42nwHI1G-zwyJzX5aNGxiggUm0DoYKa/s320/DSC06667.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the little treats & snacks they brought us mid-morning & mid-afternoon while we were lounging on the beach or by the pool (from homemade dulce de leche ice cream popsicles to cream cheese-stuffed lychees, from little scoops of strawberry ice cream to mango floats, from sushi rolls to snow cones, from cookies to fresh fruits)..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenX5YlrpDukvWfKJ-hMW-P9yNldCnUZG0FVfigzsJOzRcLVSAONjAvtgGKp14iCoYY2kpv6QkBrZvz1Z0-dJbOdDO0oNirjegmLKuA0_hAlqkRN2hnCatQYcCOXMM-YD_sCzVwcI739Vu/s1600/DSC06679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenX5YlrpDukvWfKJ-hMW-P9yNldCnUZG0FVfigzsJOzRcLVSAONjAvtgGKp14iCoYY2kpv6QkBrZvz1Z0-dJbOdDO0oNirjegmLKuA0_hAlqkRN2hnCatQYcCOXMM-YD_sCzVwcI739Vu/s320/DSC06679.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way they remembered what our little boy's favorite flavor for his snocone was and that he likes his orange juice freshly squeezed for breakfast..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">..the small snocone & donuts station by the pool..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuKmo_6LcodEUo53ygl5G_uH7xy9pWUivsNCgvKeDXjAFvzoieZuuHxG8xxhopc3S3mwGhnBktTZWnbVEMfw6f2xHfe9rjgJLkfdyASsTML81SHZOB1e-yclr2SfQvhnqSsDN6r5c01Th/s1600/RIMG2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuKmo_6LcodEUo53ygl5G_uH7xy9pWUivsNCgvKeDXjAFvzoieZuuHxG8xxhopc3S3mwGhnBktTZWnbVEMfw6f2xHfe9rjgJLkfdyASsTML81SHZOB1e-yclr2SfQvhnqSsDN6r5c01Th/s320/RIMG2059.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way the servers at Sands (their restaurant) remembered that the Mister preferred a latte and that I always go for freshly pressed coffee in the morning..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the little tic-tac-toe sets they left in the room (perfect for when we were stuck in the room during the afternoon rainshowers)..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydU2M4nwm6r8TU7Bvnjf5y75AK7-mdJnHgQbQJAhQKvSMmEIRjqMJ1QBTMuEKgdAgk8wMMbmcOyO0DHE1e6EyeGjw3H3Kl0uYosIaDYvGHdVdArlvQZ45M8lnP_FYVIaKmvlZWiO6m4OG/s1600/DSC06583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydU2M4nwm6r8TU7Bvnjf5y75AK7-mdJnHgQbQJAhQKvSMmEIRjqMJ1QBTMuEKgdAgk8wMMbmcOyO0DHE1e6EyeGjw3H3Kl0uYosIaDYvGHdVdArlvQZ45M8lnP_FYVIaKmvlZWiO6m4OG/s320/DSC06583.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the little jars of dried fruit, pili nuts, and choco chip cookies that were always waiting for us in the room</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the little bedtime treats of local delicacies that were delivered to our suite at the end of each day..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrOz4mTMw6zpf5PpxXNHcdrtAPn5v14YmBIqpSk3iSM4MhsczAyLWJJ9vp4YIYioOnEGXMpoU7lGxNdjHz2Y_vpGJGsHKnhnQ9GsdIOrLVgPxXO1LjT6u7y9rDIwLcfETXhCjX5vC-JIv/s1600/DSC06718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrOz4mTMw6zpf5PpxXNHcdrtAPn5v14YmBIqpSk3iSM4MhsczAyLWJJ9vp4YIYioOnEGXMpoU7lGxNdjHz2Y_vpGJGsHKnhnQ9GsdIOrLVgPxXO1LjT6u7y9rDIwLcfETXhCjX5vC-JIv/s320/DSC06718.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the Discovery Shores beach bag, a small tube of VMV sunscreen, a small bottle of body mist and even a Discovery Shores stuffed whale for the Little Boy laid out on the daybed when we arrived..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlrXnSGhMM8xyq5ofG8ppFakqmYtZCNE5Mq06vykG-400yTUHh-ycaNyrRDjYcI1xwkqAa0kSpq6lOhPIKVewS91T0rTqsInbq1l-rowkRD86Up_8j9gu2cFJu-qShPeRDtTeGi03PWp5/s1600/DSC06581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlrXnSGhMM8xyq5ofG8ppFakqmYtZCNE5Mq06vykG-400yTUHh-ycaNyrRDjYcI1xwkqAa0kSpq6lOhPIKVewS91T0rTqsInbq1l-rowkRD86Up_8j9gu2cFJu-qShPeRDtTeGi03PWp5/s320/DSC06581.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way the staff greeted us with a heartfelt 'magandang umaga' or 'welcome home' everytime we bumped into them..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the nightly turn-down with potpourri and a night mask laid out on the bed and a GoodNight mat on the floor..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQxacbZ3hFwICZi4P_8WuwGBoPgUczKIAFSlh8j-9eS0FD1vDQZXPQAgS2ILHX-mqvfPGGLefA6oO-lICm2LV_4_O5-VSR1sMw6gDmuj4xQXs17jvmoNEfdt-QX-7N93hyOjsQCtaxRu1/s1600/RIMG2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQxacbZ3hFwICZi4P_8WuwGBoPgUczKIAFSlh8j-9eS0FD1vDQZXPQAgS2ILHX-mqvfPGGLefA6oO-lICm2LV_4_O5-VSR1sMw6gDmuj4xQXs17jvmoNEfdt-QX-7N93hyOjsQCtaxRu1/s320/RIMG2186.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntLkmsINXmTkiJl6BN98iiUA9y8a1biKCts2QUMOg3ChMDpO7vbkoq6kDyQOTX472Eu6XkvZSI6KLm8jkW7iPjMQQ3yNuQson2HLxZBTh2W6UFlbItvgj7EuZcyf2eAY1_TFG9WiQ0ryR/s1600/RIMG2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntLkmsINXmTkiJl6BN98iiUA9y8a1biKCts2QUMOg3ChMDpO7vbkoq6kDyQOTX472Eu6XkvZSI6KLm8jkW7iPjMQQ3yNuQson2HLxZBTh2W6UFlbItvgj7EuZcyf2eAY1_TFG9WiQ0ryR/s320/RIMG2187.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a special dragonfly treat at turndown!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..the way we returned to our beach beds with sunglasses wiped clean, clothes folded neatly, and slippers slid under the shade after dips in the pool or in the sea (those sneaky pool & beach butlers are amazing!)..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">..and who could forget the signature Discovery Shores welcome: with yummy peach & mango smoothies, personalized check-in, welcome sweet treats, a Welcome Home banner, a carafe of their signature pandan water, and a welcome foot bath!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_9cy68sPqf0S-X9VkQpiAgk8QHyQnH-1b2kXCP7AnbbvrK2zINC2vM6kYz7eX8vXi1onYhyphenhyphenwPDRFTP1MwxUALzKiigyIsphvXhtqf_Rm6HYboxxshp90kvAUx1GQSE40f_IzMSJS8pHa/s1600/DSC06519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_9cy68sPqf0S-X9VkQpiAgk8QHyQnH-1b2kXCP7AnbbvrK2zINC2vM6kYz7eX8vXi1onYhyphenhyphenwPDRFTP1MwxUALzKiigyIsphvXhtqf_Rm6HYboxxshp90kvAUx1GQSE40f_IzMSJS8pHa/s320/DSC06519.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I could go on and on listing down all these little gestures that really show 'service with a heart' but I'll run out of time and space. They cannot do enough for their guests at Discovery Shores and that's what we love them for.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It wasn't always this perfect, mind you. Last summer, after our third visit to Discovery Shores (that time for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary), I wrote a review on Tripadvisor.com <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294260-d650466-Reviews-Discovery_Shores_Boracay-Boracay_Visayas.html">here</a>. Let's just say that it wasn't a perfect stay. We don't know if it was because it was peak season then and they had way more guests than they could handle, but that really was the worst Discovery Shores visit for us. We'd noticed that there were a lot of new faces that time so maybe that was one of the reasons why service wasn't up to par. We suspect that there was a lack of training somewhere and that really makes a difference. And for a place that we've come to expect a lot from (especially when everyone goes around brandishing badges that say 'service that's all heart' ), it can get incredibly disappointing when they don't deliver on that promise. Inconsistency is a problem and I really do hope they make an effort not to let that happen again.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But past is past, and I'm happy to say that this visit more than made up for the last and has made us (my mom, the Mister, the Little Boy and I) fall in love with Discovery Shores and its wonderful staff yet again!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sure, there're still a few misses here and there: the alarm clocks that never work; a shortage of umbrellas for the guests; hit & miss with massages at the new Terra Spa; confusion with shuttle pick-ups...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But the staff more than made up for it with just the simplest, sweetest things.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For instance, on our first day, we arrived in Boracay at around 8am, way too early for check-in, and since we really weren't expecting our room to be ready then and had made plans to have breakfast and hang out somewhere else first, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they had prepared a temporary "wash-up" room for us to stay at until the room we had booked was ready. How thoughtful is that?</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then apart from the usual welcome treats, there was a small cupcake with the Little Boy's name on it as his own welcome treat! So imagine his surprise (and glee!) when he was handed yet another surprise: a gift from Discovery Shores! He tore off the wrapper immediately and revealed a Doodling Photo Frames kit! Arts & crafts for a rainy day! Sweet!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another time, I was lounging by the pool pretty bummed out that there was no sun at all, and out comes Jigs (1/2 of our favorite pool/beach butler tandem) with a pot of chamomile tea and a plate of freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies to cheer me up! If that doesn't make you fall in love with the pool & beach butlers, I don't know what will!</span><br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On our next morning while we were having breakfast, another surprise came in a form of a slice of birthday cake, personally delivered by some of my favorite Discovery Shores staff (Aby, Rex, Jigs) with a birthday song to boot! What an incredible way to start the day! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh and look! They even helped the Mister plan a special birthday surprise for me that evening: my very own birthday sandcastle and a special serenade while having dinner at Indigo care of one of their multi-talented servers. <3</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfrg5A9mKwcCX9bnz6y5Tmik1Au8cDkq4bBPklCo1wc6KyR2ankNFT1vy78CD3F8f9hArOXGv8Y1AU2SSx1SQvbsZaxzmZIiDxmIr140mfD8-WStv7MvFwK8QQtXvLVCgU2xzMpfWPUtp/s1600/RIMG2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfrg5A9mKwcCX9bnz6y5Tmik1Au8cDkq4bBPklCo1wc6KyR2ankNFT1vy78CD3F8f9hArOXGv8Y1AU2SSx1SQvbsZaxzmZIiDxmIr140mfD8-WStv7MvFwK8QQtXvLVCgU2xzMpfWPUtp/s320/RIMG2104.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my very own birthday sandcastle!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And if those birthday treats weren't enough, before checking out on our last day, I was handed a birthday gift! As if all this spoiling was not enough of a birthday gift!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoBpr4BWYjxe1NcmLmkTs4eZPFilob6wuQ-Up815q_tEiLfUtPOgKUaFCYcsJ-xbgDrbjuPLmxT1yY8aAtqD_h43omw7OulGKfuG6nkOVOFaWMNraFQqd6CiwsT__LOH0pTzuIuKp3Ys/s1600/DSC07202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoBpr4BWYjxe1NcmLmkTs4eZPFilob6wuQ-Up815q_tEiLfUtPOgKUaFCYcsJ-xbgDrbjuPLmxT1yY8aAtqD_h43omw7OulGKfuG6nkOVOFaWMNraFQqd6CiwsT__LOH0pTzuIuKp3Ys/s320/DSC07202.JPG" /></a></div></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After all the birthday treats, another new discovery for me on this trip is their bucket of spritzers! I know it seems shallow but these are really awesome!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdHvukRm5KODGzQSd_wtz6y2SsK7aIk3arRMmE2VVDKnzLMAxrRdL1tnPX9lKOHwHVtQtA_UFzwBZ9Epg5jIX9IcMKcMRWgck2ZMR4PIP1U3Qp4A0qYVrCKS4_nJBUwpAdPPX4IGUBAMT/s1600/DSC07116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdHvukRm5KODGzQSd_wtz6y2SsK7aIk3arRMmE2VVDKnzLMAxrRdL1tnPX9lKOHwHVtQtA_UFzwBZ9Epg5jIX9IcMKcMRWgck2ZMR4PIP1U3Qp4A0qYVrCKS4_nJBUwpAdPPX4IGUBAMT/s320/DSC07116.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Mister, the Little Boy and I got carried away on our last day since the skies were clear and the sun was out and bright all morning. So we decided to make the most of the sun and stayed under it all day, making sandcastles and swimming and kayaking and even learning how to paddlesurf under the noontime sun. BIG mistake! We were all red with shoulders & noses hurting in no time. Then here comes Rex (the other half of our favorite butler tandem) and Jigs to the rescue, with cold face towels and a bucket holding 4 kinds of spritzers: a bottle of Evian and three homemade concoctions: one with cucumber, one with sprigs of mint, and another one with fresh orange slices swimming in it. We loved them! Each one so completely refreshing and invigorating and so perfect for our sunburnt skin! Apparently, they make these spritzers themselves. Is there anything that these pool/beach butlers can't do??!!!</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzXAFblI41tBP5Hm4yglGf1QUuwXLGqA2XikLiQ10VrMuvgZJYnbAPKDzLVk8CCpAvwpGJ8GGjfhcPjrldYLUUzvAwJV5qf9CuX9CETFEKSdhQ6tvMB4xtytPRQK3KAI4gkLUoDgeEuQj/s1600/DSC07118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzXAFblI41tBP5Hm4yglGf1QUuwXLGqA2XikLiQ10VrMuvgZJYnbAPKDzLVk8CCpAvwpGJ8GGjfhcPjrldYLUUzvAwJV5qf9CuX9CETFEKSdhQ6tvMB4xtytPRQK3KAI4gkLUoDgeEuQj/s320/DSC07118.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade spritzers: orange, cucumber & mint</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a nutshell, the Discovery Shores staff bent over backwards just to make sure we had a grand stay. We were utterly spoiled for those few days that leaving was such a sad, difficult thing to do.</span></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even this super long post will not be enough to express just how amazing this last stay was. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div align="justify"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you, Discovery Shores (special shoutouts to Abbie & JP, Charmaine, Mr. Rene from Housekeeping, Ernest, the manongs by the beach who would help us with our kayaks everytime, Randy Salvador, and our favorite Jigs & Rex!) </span></div></div></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...All our heartfelt thanks for really making us feel like this was our second home. :)</span></div></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOi-AIzIY3hCLcWdOvcIqE-ADGcM9KpccieWE8_rwwjGss9sVJhSzWOFzQlgtaFogtwD33ylV2u_qXjYswJa5lYFkZrZATVrwhvIEnpdes9UgruJkyWOQy5ok8kL3_EMmpeCIq6uZlkqV/s1600/DSC06582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOi-AIzIY3hCLcWdOvcIqE-ADGcM9KpccieWE8_rwwjGss9sVJhSzWOFzQlgtaFogtwD33ylV2u_qXjYswJa5lYFkZrZATVrwhvIEnpdes9UgruJkyWOQy5ok8kL3_EMmpeCIq6uZlkqV/s320/DSC06582.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. I didn't realize how long this post has gotten but trust me, there are still a lot to rave about. I haven't even gotten to the fabulous rooms we had and the food, oh, the glorious food! So that will have to be a separate blog post. Stay tuned! ;-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-26999280643520746482010-08-20T09:47:00.002-07:002010-08-25T08:05:22.500-07:00A Boracay Birthday Getaway<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday, I woke up to this...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right before sunrise on White Beach, Boracay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning, Boracay!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night, I was back in Manila and dove straight back into work & stress, but with my batteries recharged and spirits revived.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQosE8joRBYT3pi6tFo6bAlYdtoKx6zuR_vAPDvt07AkaX1CXxpr89NIYG8bf5r-ch0O1sTqQ4KZz1k7d8fmyRswb8EIzYMw2SKmZLC_9UdxQzcWf8pv48X7aQN8lUxBuT8PFyIJFdGrn/s1600/DSC07053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQosE8joRBYT3pi6tFo6bAlYdtoKx6zuR_vAPDvt07AkaX1CXxpr89NIYG8bf5r-ch0O1sTqQ4KZz1k7d8fmyRswb8EIzYMw2SKmZLC_9UdxQzcWf8pv48X7aQN8lUxBuT8PFyIJFdGrn/s320/DSC07053.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have just gotten back from a few days in Boracay. It was my 25th birthday, and it was the perfect excuse to escape for a bit. I badly needed a getaway. And Boracay has always been the perfect place for that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the tiny island of Boracay</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Boracay never gets old for me. I will never tire of its fine, almost talcum white sands and of its clear blue waters... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, it may be too congested now (construction of even more hotels & restaurants are under way!) and trash disposal remains to be an issue (I don't understand how some people can stomach leaving their cigarette butts or empty plastic water bottles on Boracay's beautiful sand -- how could they?!)... but when it really comes down to it, when you sit there on the beach, on sand that never gets hot despite the heat of the sun because of its super fine powder-like texture, and just looking out to all that blue and white, all that sand and sea... It really is still one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Mister and I have made it an annual summer break for us. For the past 7 years now, we'd been visiting Boracay every summer to spend a few days with the sun, sea and sand to relax and recharge ourselves. We're beach babies!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">divers going into the water...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa76dYBNyHU_MxSgafrmw4LKcuc3-TcpxDPL5pTfzN7DUXJAe7R92qqsdYseaetoOLoOEWSafmiUGOf2iB62wnr3qJcABz7Klhg6JX5co08GGCQXzfzgfLXANaLYV5CKyAU6KoiGda4lW/s1600/DSC06562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa76dYBNyHU_MxSgafrmw4LKcuc3-TcpxDPL5pTfzN7DUXJAe7R92qqsdYseaetoOLoOEWSafmiUGOf2iB62wnr3qJcABz7Klhg6JX5co08GGCQXzfzgfLXANaLYV5CKyAU6KoiGda4lW/s320/DSC06562.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every summer (late March - May), the island transforms into this summer island destination where everything you could possibly want to do is possible. During the day, you've got people in their board shorts and tiny bikinis lounging around the stretch of White Beach with their fruit shakes and cocktails in hand; or tourists on jetskis, skimboards, kayaks, banana boats, parasails... every imaginable water sport is available here, I think. Why, you can even walk underwater wearing just a big bubble helmet on if you book the reef walking! There's island hopping, some snorkeling, paddle surfing, skimboarding... If you'd rather stay inland, there're ATV rides you can book to take you to Mt. Luho for a gorgeous view of the sea and the island, or you can even jump into a giant plastic bubble and tumble down a hillside. Seriously. I did say anything was possible on the island of Boracay, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rENsTRxH3J-SV2SvGKzevsnvU65pNH4w9hI60h02Tyc0CHVlz9l6YutqjytwMxzFaznWyhdBKXL5NvlDgz3N4bLvJseWjs5d9-bYqkOiHeqwPgJLYRY0p-agUTXqWQnApT1gFxilPlba/s1600/DSC06885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rENsTRxH3J-SV2SvGKzevsnvU65pNH4w9hI60h02Tyc0CHVlz9l6YutqjytwMxzFaznWyhdBKXL5NvlDgz3N4bLvJseWjs5d9-bYqkOiHeqwPgJLYRY0p-agUTXqWQnApT1gFxilPlba/s320/DSC06885.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kayaking in Boracay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZA6t1rJq0oG4YoC6exP6X8fUHye72wdlWq-TLLo0z6vTRfliqDJEPRqArEEIr-eD2Cw5vhVBydUoIL0ELIeC9Jnyqp5rv0fkXAqzJnsnRM1Ispx78d5GjdL7ETpzXeyBEQ4qtVm-D3q0/s1600/DSC07137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZA6t1rJq0oG4YoC6exP6X8fUHye72wdlWq-TLLo0z6vTRfliqDJEPRqArEEIr-eD2Cw5vhVBydUoIL0ELIeC9Jnyqp5rv0fkXAqzJnsnRM1Ispx78d5GjdL7ETpzXeyBEQ4qtVm-D3q0/s320/DSC07137.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">learning how to paddle surf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At night, Boracay becomes the ultimate party island -- beanbags scattered on the beach, mojito bars set up right on the sand, poi dancers entertaining guests with their fire dance, house music booming from loud speakers at every beachfront bar, the acoustic, dreadlocked reggae musicians doing their own gigs in the smaller dive bars, beachfront barbeque grill buffets, happy hour everywhere, and in April, big event after big event, when rock bands and big rave parties (oh my, I feel so old. Is that even what it's called still?) are brought in from Manila. People everywhere, with half of Manila's population transported into this tiny little island.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB762aD46BybrP6LnE4fAMi_anO96KiSv19tbcSzVAtzwQL4Z5swL2rBf8_ZoKoGZHcJl3M9qka6xvSOTDSLsFVJQoXUMhHDTsuk86HolRlVsaCWh1NKngrEKv7jtTmr8HasqU-_s9qyE/s1600/boracay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB762aD46BybrP6LnE4fAMi_anO96KiSv19tbcSzVAtzwQL4Z5swL2rBf8_ZoKoGZHcJl3M9qka6xvSOTDSLsFVJQoXUMhHDTsuk86HolRlVsaCWh1NKngrEKv7jtTmr8HasqU-_s9qyE/s320/boracay2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mojito bars at sunset during summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not for us definitely. We're not much for parties or big crowds. We like our beach trips sedate and quiet. Sure, we'd enjoy the occassional happy hour cocktails but far from the maddening beach crowd, and that's about it. Yes, we are old farts. :p</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's why staying at Discovery Shores at the end of Station 1, far from the parties and crowds of Station 2 and the other end of Station 1, is perfect for us. (But more on this amazing boutique property later!)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, having said all that a summer spent in Boracay has to offer, this was actually our first August / low season trip to Boracay and I think I just fell in love with the island all over again. I had always wanted to visit Boracay in the off-season since I knew it'd be much more quiet and a lot more relaxed and it was exactly what I expected! When the 'habagat' winds roll around, Boracay becomes a different place. Waves are a bit bigger... winds pick up a bit more... rainshowers in the afternoon... no algae!!! (during the summer, Boracay's White Beach encounters algae issues when loads of the green stuff swim close to shore, giving the White Beach a green stripe running along the shore -- not very pretty! :s). But the best part is that there's significantly less people, locals are more relaxed and there is generally that sedate, slow, almost back to provincial Boracay feel. It was actually quite nice.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sure, it rains. But not all day. The past couple of days, it'd been sunny mornings and rainy afternoons. But it works out perfectly for us. Yesterday, I was able to enjoy a swim in the sea and a walk on the beach in the morning and right after lunch, when the rainshowers started, I was getting comfortable on a massage bed getting a Hot Stone massage, as were most of the visitors enjoying their siestas in the comfort of their own rooms. How perfect is that?!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">During the low season, locals are also a lot more friendly since they have a bit more time to talk and chat with less guests to attend to. Yesterday, we were able to chat with Lee, the lovely lady who owns and runs our favorite Boracay breakfast spot, Real Coffee, as she was telling us about how sometimes the rainy days are her busiest days but mostly with her regular local patrons. After all, everyone wants a good cuppa when it's raining cats & dogs outside!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I couldn't agree more. As I sat there enjoying a breakfast of Mango French Toast and an omelette stuffed with tuna, pesto and cheese with a big mug of freshly brewed coffee (more on this amazing breakfast later!), I couldn't help but think how being in Boracay during the rainy season finally gave me the perfect excuse to enjoy a cup of hot coffee on this island, something you definitely cannot do in the heat of summer.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And so with that, I will interrupt my Bali series for a bit to write about one of my favorite little islands in the world, Boracay. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I promise to post more Bali stuff soon, though, so to my Tripadvisor.com Bali forum friends, keep checking in for that! ;p)</span> But for now, a tribute to an island that never fails to cheer me up and give me that much needed recharge for life back in Manila.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSJ5dmKVUrl9vz2kEFwz6gqKDUiRkONZ687o2xZ6WgcqDoWCLPm6IXBktdqIQCPIsprlFWiludsHGfYCBFaY8TnYRLbGjlFgxvTTULwiwC_IcK5yFdQ1jswec-opDaprlwmn-r9LhHu5E/s1600/DSC07057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSJ5dmKVUrl9vz2kEFwz6gqKDUiRkONZ687o2xZ6WgcqDoWCLPm6IXBktdqIQCPIsprlFWiludsHGfYCBFaY8TnYRLbGjlFgxvTTULwiwC_IcK5yFdQ1jswec-opDaprlwmn-r9LhHu5E/s320/DSC07057.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stay tuned! ;-)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-27565089243209014942010-08-15T21:21:00.003-07:002010-08-25T08:13:38.646-07:00A Lovely Late Lunch at La Lucciola<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We'd heard so much about La Lucciola while we were researching for this trip... the beautiful beachfront location, its fresh fruit granitas, the fancy brunch specials... that we knew we just had to squeeze in a visit no matter what! So after a bit of <a href="http://earthboundfaerie.blogspot.com/2010/08/balis-best-massage-really-is-at-jari.html">incredible spa time at Jari Menari</a>, we headed up to La Lucciola for a late lunch and we're happy to report that La Lucciola met all of our expectations and then some!!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTyLA7_rOuDqzsd3sYb-Gl-FtmqK_p6v8RTMdwvmiU87tB8y3IhCbRT_hAXwe2ZnSMGkoVCZAPYrPlJrsgIgHLmKNMpcbtNiQ5Al5Cyr3kuTLqXHisr6q0gHQy3c-3mryKSmAXXXjtoAy/s1600/DSC05240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTyLA7_rOuDqzsd3sYb-Gl-FtmqK_p6v8RTMdwvmiU87tB8y3IhCbRT_hAXwe2ZnSMGkoVCZAPYrPlJrsgIgHLmKNMpcbtNiQ5Al5Cyr3kuTLqXHisr6q0gHQy3c-3mryKSmAXXXjtoAy/s320/DSC05240.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from our table at La Lucciola</td></tr>
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There was an ongoing temple ceremony at neighbouring Petitenget temple so all the gamelan playing from next door made crossing the bridge to La Lucciola even more surreal than it already was for us!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">La Lucciola sits on beautiful Seminyak Beach, so from wherever you're seated, you get this gorgeous view of just this wide expanse of sand and sea, hampered only by a few coconut trees standing guard in front of the restaurant. We chose to sit upstairs on the mezzanine for an even better view!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRXHKTOZ7rRWhoE26YDRH-cgGpC2uG8Q5k5MXSK0gj54mxz-Go9PSNnjVC3uEx5_0FK_iUOz4wMd4um9Brf_RoyUxhOpsihw5SkI3pbcJrR2um30QT3r70bMW1YlP4-BRm33Mv7kILrF_/s1600/DSC05283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRXHKTOZ7rRWhoE26YDRH-cgGpC2uG8Q5k5MXSK0gj54mxz-Go9PSNnjVC3uEx5_0FK_iUOz4wMd4um9Brf_RoyUxhOpsihw5SkI3pbcJrR2um30QT3r70bMW1YlP4-BRm33Mv7kILrF_/s320/DSC05283.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view of horses on the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3f2F374B1rNIFhy1mn2fHRtT7XglNcK4Nn6Gp29MHTBKNTPJ40MWguJFeISBAxCfi5NiZj8UXjKW-Tw8m0YoQ9ItiWrQuGdGj0dQDY-sAEVZBLcq_ezylefVZUe0_QRPcKEQumHHeRev4/s1600/DSC05282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3f2F374B1rNIFhy1mn2fHRtT7XglNcK4Nn6Gp29MHTBKNTPJ40MWguJFeISBAxCfi5NiZj8UXjKW-Tw8m0YoQ9ItiWrQuGdGj0dQDY-sAEVZBLcq_ezylefVZUe0_QRPcKEQumHHeRev4/s320/DSC05282.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's right... horses!</td></tr>
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</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We were given our Drinks & Lunch menu as soon as we were seated and we immediately zeroed in on the granitas. The Mister had the Strawberry & Guava Granita and I had the Mango & Tangerine (both at Rp30,000) while the Little Boy ordered a glass of fresh Strawberry & Watermelon juice (Rp30,000).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PQ8INl_lcTboU6KVwzg0gcafoh7zrQxrfhgDk-1pQF1SHyGfamnz3_KKbRV4lp1c7irJPJC1dWEKcKolzFFWNQ0MPa0Z2UbkoVFYIQ23i5_1fNJuJLfQUORzHjk8irJDp03ZajEh6Lng/s1600/DSC05257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PQ8INl_lcTboU6KVwzg0gcafoh7zrQxrfhgDk-1pQF1SHyGfamnz3_KKbRV4lp1c7irJPJC1dWEKcKolzFFWNQ0MPa0Z2UbkoVFYIQ23i5_1fNJuJLfQUORzHjk8irJDp03ZajEh6Lng/s320/DSC05257.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our granitas & fresh fruit juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">These were excellent granitas! Perfect for a hot afternoon in Bali! I would trek the beach to La Lucciola every single day for these granitas! Served on big glasses set on saucers to catch the overflow, the granitas were the perfect balance of ice and freshly squeezed fruit goodness!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULe2YPVCzSVhZUWr4XmNFlqdqoNRbhURebh7TcA0Ua54nVoAphRrA8I9T9u8xSScBcra61r14wVc-f1G-K027OU4hjQlM-gN2DrQEErUnSvRu5862dcKYeqWyQlfjLhhA_2_IewVJQZ2R/s1600/DSC05258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULe2YPVCzSVhZUWr4XmNFlqdqoNRbhURebh7TcA0Ua54nVoAphRrA8I9T9u8xSScBcra61r14wVc-f1G-K027OU4hjQlM-gN2DrQEErUnSvRu5862dcKYeqWyQlfjLhhA_2_IewVJQZ2R/s320/DSC05258.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Mango & Tangerine Granita</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYRJnWV0MlWUEy7VZGdTm-qCHNs6kxcl2Ddm-oeAcsYY_api8j4SImrU7bWAh-9ZHfsHEev5qLOfTHBD54DtUOSt07BPpYuI6P4wga6KKhs8RL-s8QM6uqm6N0SB3-Tf4V4KkqTVM7cWF/s1600/DSC05262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYRJnWV0MlWUEy7VZGdTm-qCHNs6kxcl2Ddm-oeAcsYY_api8j4SImrU7bWAh-9ZHfsHEev5qLOfTHBD54DtUOSt07BPpYuI6P4wga6KKhs8RL-s8QM6uqm6N0SB3-Tf4V4KkqTVM7cWF/s320/DSC05262.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Strawberry & Guava Granita</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavwFN1rQr_JuEwwIdUldRFuRioOhzmGAmPGV6xFA74Uf5NDySDeB324osqBRjR_c3_PHsLNtlRX_IPi8_k6uLBmEdN_FtTFRufKoxOGESJtRj-58XpILnZyNAvzx7HxMfWKZHwKjF2nuj/s1600/DSC05260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavwFN1rQr_JuEwwIdUldRFuRioOhzmGAmPGV6xFA74Uf5NDySDeB324osqBRjR_c3_PHsLNtlRX_IPi8_k6uLBmEdN_FtTFRufKoxOGESJtRj-58XpILnZyNAvzx7HxMfWKZHwKjF2nuj/s320/DSC05260.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Strawberry & Watermelon juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">While the Strawberry & Watermelon juice was also good, it did not hold up to just how refreshing the granitas were. The Little Boy kept stealing sips from my glass throughout our meal and ended up finishing my Mango & Tangerine Granita!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJHupRsm7dtwSr_IHEtVnLqgi0QueQrriy5oqGUSs-heCsSbkmDCBLnisp9NUzH0HnhvJBlSwagfIvwe5D0iv79hR8Hh4tfDsaGAmCpU6tx0lh-ZKZChuTplk6GEBcq-0ypc0min1_a1/s1600/DSC05268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJHupRsm7dtwSr_IHEtVnLqgi0QueQrriy5oqGUSs-heCsSbkmDCBLnisp9NUzH0HnhvJBlSwagfIvwe5D0iv79hR8Hh4tfDsaGAmCpU6tx0lh-ZKZChuTplk6GEBcq-0ypc0min1_a1/s320/DSC05268.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking sips from his drink...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgtHDHMEQypgg3DFjW1ljFQepv3k2c7K6O7ZJNSH_Jl_4mMmrhv5CTDmnU2CDa3D0bqgpYJFwtZp1YLc0F5U_64bnB4744TMR7kIeSo6vTphf_IcO_CnYpRPn0TpZhCjM5kM75bwsw27K/s1600/DSC05266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgtHDHMEQypgg3DFjW1ljFQepv3k2c7K6O7ZJNSH_Jl_4mMmrhv5CTDmnU2CDa3D0bqgpYJFwtZp1YLc0F5U_64bnB4744TMR7kIeSo6vTphf_IcO_CnYpRPn0TpZhCjM5kM75bwsw27K/s320/DSC05266.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...before he decides he likes my drink better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For lunch, we went for a light meal and ordered the Calamari with Tangy Lemon & Dill Mayonaisse, Rocket & Balsamic (Rp58,000) for me and the Risotto with Balinese Duck, Porcini Mushrooms, Spinach & Roasted Hazelnuts (Rp98,000) for the Mister.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRYPiY1bI7xVkskRgG5125bVJOaYa9jqnMUcxzsOmX8aj-eYOL_Fd0KnXTrKuRrl4m8QX2JDokmYhyVWMmK9MV6bngvsP3PKaH2cXzOwh5p-A3X0WoKhwA2A5Kz7wH0uS3p2tX_H4v7fR/s1600/DSC05256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRYPiY1bI7xVkskRgG5125bVJOaYa9jqnMUcxzsOmX8aj-eYOL_Fd0KnXTrKuRrl4m8QX2JDokmYhyVWMmK9MV6bngvsP3PKaH2cXzOwh5p-A3X0WoKhwA2A5Kz7wH0uS3p2tX_H4v7fR/s320/DSC05256.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">butter & bread before the food arrives</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was a bit disappointed with the calamari's small portion but taste-wise, it was great. The calamari went perfectly well with the arugula and just the light seafood lunch with my granita just made for that perfect beach lunch!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHfKp6w5blrHbPYETvxsnbCTduL-araDds5_B1m2wdOZR4Z6M7tlR3RfrrEVItGBlfcyNSIZC9WgdR0qnK4u3whkpnfBw0FrQJ97KlIxWeByMepaJtlkB9lAUjNZKQOhFL42RyyUNt-At/s1600/DSC05275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHfKp6w5blrHbPYETvxsnbCTduL-araDds5_B1m2wdOZR4Z6M7tlR3RfrrEVItGBlfcyNSIZC9WgdR0qnK4u3whkpnfBw0FrQJ97KlIxWeByMepaJtlkB9lAUjNZKQOhFL42RyyUNt-At/s320/DSC05275.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calamari with Tangy & Dill Mayonaisse,<br />
Rocket and Balsamic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The risotto with the Balinese duck was the clear winner here though! It was soooo good! The porcini mushrooms, the duck, the roasted hazelnuts all gave to that earthy, rich risotto goodness!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvwZxSh_fR3hxBICJQG5gR-wo0muayGkFUvQgzDj35GRZR8gyGkPMuwEbmJwH78TA-8Z07qNNyNhOXJ728IZqvU8UkDNzwzFJzUMvHRRz3dIKd3afO3pOFhyphenhyphenBNlhR0fevxx0xLABBgqng/s1600/DSC05277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvwZxSh_fR3hxBICJQG5gR-wo0muayGkFUvQgzDj35GRZR8gyGkPMuwEbmJwH78TA-8Z07qNNyNhOXJ728IZqvU8UkDNzwzFJzUMvHRRz3dIKd3afO3pOFhyphenhyphenBNlhR0fevxx0xLABBgqng/s320/DSC05277.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Risotto with Balinese Duck, Porcini Mushrooms,<br />
Spinach & Roasted Hazelnuts</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Little Boy ordered a plate of Penne Pasta with Cream & Bacon (Rp59,000) from the Kids' Menu that we found a tad overpriced, but he liked it very much and finished it right away so we didn't mind.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadtAg38sQg54tjSTzqZbuWHt5FyMYKLTxVuJcl6SHBCQsraBV5nrQ99jowK-SyuFgZnb5YBX_abESTo7GqpwmsI1pNMX8TEdsrQkR8jn7y-kr4rHKmjfn8xwR7HCxuBZbyBHG47ZsTVLX/s1600/DSC05281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadtAg38sQg54tjSTzqZbuWHt5FyMYKLTxVuJcl6SHBCQsraBV5nrQ99jowK-SyuFgZnb5YBX_abESTo7GqpwmsI1pNMX8TEdsrQkR8jn7y-kr4rHKmjfn8xwR7HCxuBZbyBHG47ZsTVLX/s320/DSC05281.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Little Boy's Penne Pasta with Bacon & Cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For dessert, we had their Apple Tarte Tatin A La Mode in Caramel Sauce (Rp75,000) and a small cone of Chocolate Ice Cream (Rp36,000) for the little boy and a small glass of Caffe Latte (Rp28,000).</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoQXHFOYjPdpr71Ed65mzlPOCuav2CC8Rd9yPA_owN0P-5KDGc6Mazr8hoQ8TzSk-L0ytrKRCNctb3udF7wpfgvj1fJI0e_jTRk0-gZbbnP-wzLGD5awNfIKi6CsY41f4u12nXpXzI64S/s1600/RIMG1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoQXHFOYjPdpr71Ed65mzlPOCuav2CC8Rd9yPA_owN0P-5KDGc6Mazr8hoQ8TzSk-L0ytrKRCNctb3udF7wpfgvj1fJI0e_jTRk0-gZbbnP-wzLGD5awNfIKi6CsY41f4u12nXpXzI64S/s320/RIMG1609.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Apple Tart Tatin with Caramel Sauce & Ice Cream</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEcO9FTdHFAscXevosWF8aSUZNmFoZ5EOMWgrtf7zT1kEGcHjIXmAaCj9kkmTdQUZvdHzZu9OTGwQbK89NvffHBvDqlXIi2IkIjcl0ndIUFJycNDQSmu_QxIhs55vdEL5-mhsObJwMi8W/s1600/DSC05297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEcO9FTdHFAscXevosWF8aSUZNmFoZ5EOMWgrtf7zT1kEGcHjIXmAaCj9kkmTdQUZvdHzZu9OTGwQbK89NvffHBvDqlXIi2IkIjcl0ndIUFJycNDQSmu_QxIhs55vdEL5-mhsObJwMi8W/s320/DSC05297.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cone of homemade Chocolate Ice Cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Apple Tart was heavenly, bathed in all that caramel! And just the warm apple tart paired with the ice cream made it the perfect end to the meal! They've got very good coffee, too, a nice pick-me-up before we go on the rest of our day-tripping!</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgsThu9TaWr6BaHAbRAf9nF2qw7e9Lv83kYkbsJdfmSodyUHbz6eRi6hOnogTfqKbfBNLlpLRyllJhmkP9KGIAAeLHr5r4cDxMk-c2OSfCpff5cyOiF2YgDVQMnUpFPYFjbwnnJDeHqg6/s1600/DSC05291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgsThu9TaWr6BaHAbRAf9nF2qw7e9Lv83kYkbsJdfmSodyUHbz6eRi6hOnogTfqKbfBNLlpLRyllJhmkP9KGIAAeLHr5r4cDxMk-c2OSfCpff5cyOiF2YgDVQMnUpFPYFjbwnnJDeHqg6/s320/DSC05291.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Caffe Latte</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For lunch + dessert + coffee + granitas, our bill came to a little more than a whopping Rp500,000 / $55 after 5% service charge and 10% Gov. Tax was added so it turned out to be a pricey lunch for us! But I think that while you can maybe have food as good as theirs at lower prices somewhere else, the beautiful view at La Lucciola is what makes the whole dining experience worth it. So while it was a bit of a splurge for us, we found that it was well worth every Rupiah! Our late lunch at La Lucciola really stood out as one of the best dining experiences we had in Bali!</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Another plus? When you've had too much to eat, Seminyak Beach is literally steps away and perfect for a nice after-meal stroll. :)</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-61999886853187576042010-08-10T10:10:00.003-07:002010-08-25T08:02:25.362-07:00Bali's Best Massage Really Is At Jari Menari<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">56HA24B4XRK2</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Second agenda for Day 2 in Bali: a couple of hours at the spa! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And not just any spa, we were after Bali's best massage that many expats, locals & regular tourists say they have found at <a href="http://www.jarimenari.com/">Jari Menari</a>. (An opinion backed by my trusty copy of AsiaSpa's Bali Edition, too!) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1HJpPiFS3xfBwjMIdWXhDpq8DUndRDtihSNb-oCcw7dNNPPPK2KHydV_DtMQ7isfuLP6PrexnJxewcBzJbcwJMEHytm-OOWS8znC2p0yUv1FvTTDmOJBwrJgqBvjuWCy4mUwaYkEM9LZ/s1600/DSC05234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1HJpPiFS3xfBwjMIdWXhDpq8DUndRDtihSNb-oCcw7dNNPPPK2KHydV_DtMQ7isfuLP6PrexnJxewcBzJbcwJMEHytm-OOWS8znC2p0yUv1FvTTDmOJBwrJgqBvjuWCy4mUwaYkEM9LZ/s320/DSC05234.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside Jari Menari's small garden courtyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Walking into Jari Menari's simple storefront in the Seminyak area along Jalan Legian, one would definitely not expect to find what was supposed to be the very best massage on the island of Bali here. No entrance gongs or heavy aromatherapy burning in the air... No extra spa frills like welcome drinks or cold towels that we've grown accustomed to in many other spas in Asia. Even its lobby wasn't grand, just a small reception desk and a small boutique selling all kinds of spa stuff from oil burners to sarongs, from fragrant aromatherapy oils to honey ginger bath gels, from yoga pants to silk robes... everything you could possibly need to recreate the spa experience at home!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_0rKGds4Qahwb0k_hB99r77KXiZwjO6jc6OV6xebf2QRJFyua3fxE7hjui2rzcEzXSNFWv-5JgZk-uQgf_RDy5jGZb9S_XZV2eoOqBARqBnATb4vIt3OyiESJ86k3HnxhF_lRU4Hg5OI/s1600/DSC05215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_0rKGds4Qahwb0k_hB99r77KXiZwjO6jc6OV6xebf2QRJFyua3fxE7hjui2rzcEzXSNFWv-5JgZk-uQgf_RDy5jGZb9S_XZV2eoOqBARqBnATb4vIt3OyiESJ86k3HnxhF_lRU4Hg5OI/s320/DSC05215.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking into Jari Menari</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We had made bookings thru their website prior to our arrival in Bali (a must for this spa that's almost always fully booked!). The Mister was booked for The Perfect Massage (<em>Rp350,000/90min</em>); I was booked for the Tibetan Singing Bowl Enhanced Massage (<em>Rp350,000/90min</em>); and because we wanted to share this spa experience together without having to take turns with watching the Little Boy, we decided to book the Kids' Massage (<em>Rp300,000/60min</em>) for him, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This was probably my favorite thing about this place. That they were so accommodating to guests with young kids. I mean, not a lot of spas welcome young kids so warmly (and for good reason, too!), let alone have a massage designed just for them! So this definitely added points for Jari Menari in my books!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2Rydgu5AugCxcPuuuV8NyEgLtPY7jmDVl6VZ1wTnKvKCJnlA8fh9Dpv-rp3nJcwupjvstMeE9io25KLrGN8ywrF-z7m-bbhMIXG0Y5d7wxPRBGhtWQVlqZ3kUD6ruUzTkwv8iEQobh6/s1600/DSC05216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2Rydgu5AugCxcPuuuV8NyEgLtPY7jmDVl6VZ1wTnKvKCJnlA8fh9Dpv-rp3nJcwupjvstMeE9io25KLrGN8ywrF-z7m-bbhMIXG0Y5d7wxPRBGhtWQVlqZ3kUD6ruUzTkwv8iEQobh6/s320/DSC05216.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the small changing room / shower area at Jari Menari</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFSeIKMSrPu71J-fNVEjC1e8yRtYizwm-P948SjD1mfUr8DFfLbdemK_uuZhDqrG7_dVFsJwDSM3cvIcjiJrjSKkjCJgusONVD_w2r3iKgPoK2LhCRQcubvYmhDe9yzOY4pe2Ouc_t49F/s1600/DSC05217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFSeIKMSrPu71J-fNVEjC1e8yRtYizwm-P948SjD1mfUr8DFfLbdemK_uuZhDqrG7_dVFsJwDSM3cvIcjiJrjSKkjCJgusONVD_w2r3iKgPoK2LhCRQcubvYmhDe9yzOY4pe2Ouc_t49F/s320/DSC05217.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the courtyard right past the sheer white curtains<br />
of the female changing room at Jari Menari</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It worked out great since they put us all in a family room that could accommodate all 3 of us. What lovely rooms they were, too! Surrounding a small Japanese-style courtyard with simple shoji doors and pebbled walkways, the rooms themselves were all open-air with a stone wall waterfall & a koi pond to one side. Very simple, very Zen. And with so much green & white everywhere, Buddha figures & the sound of water flowing in little corners, we were all in a relaxed state of mind by the time we had changed into our sarongs and led to our massage room... and the massage hadn't even started yet!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWtVSX5DaSNBC7d6BnGbzW2ToSmlTQroizcBGd12Y4bjqrRmaZ0FgiMAobfwwmG1YUKb3p-Ik5tjLYU0lh3gu_1gZfMUecQHmTj8w5MLLShhOOjqv3R8p_KVRgP5-o_NCLbUXU8wBveqK/s1600/DSC05218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWtVSX5DaSNBC7d6BnGbzW2ToSmlTQroizcBGd12Y4bjqrRmaZ0FgiMAobfwwmG1YUKb3p-Ik5tjLYU0lh3gu_1gZfMUecQHmTj8w5MLLShhOOjqv3R8p_KVRgP5-o_NCLbUXU8wBveqK/s320/DSC05218.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coming out of the changing room <br />
and into the Jari Menari courtyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BjspwIHe4NqQQBlPazKICdNEC-sejuvG1DAHtsdRrGrl2gHvDJTq4-Iem87VeGgsJqOeAReHnAs9pCOgyhvIOJMhSFdQfa2_eIZJf-IBqUUClhcWVlAlyFl6Gkv2gqk-E8V8_bR0Dm_a/s1600/DSC05222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BjspwIHe4NqQQBlPazKICdNEC-sejuvG1DAHtsdRrGrl2gHvDJTq4-Iem87VeGgsJqOeAReHnAs9pCOgyhvIOJMhSFdQfa2_eIZJf-IBqUUClhcWVlAlyFl6Gkv2gqk-E8V8_bR0Dm_a/s320/DSC05222.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Jari Menari courtyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One thing to note about Jari Menari is that their massage staff is made up of All-Male Professional Practitioners. Now, I have always preferred female massage therapists and this was my first massage with a male masseuse so at first, I was a bit apprehensive. But Agus, my therapist for that afternoon, was so warm and polite and so professional that I felt very much at ease with him in just seconds. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR1a6iD_GAK9QQ7XavNi-7oWNvGy2RgD-DQUQjE5-ZQUgkYJL-qAGxbJF1PZv7kexWXP06hM_HzjFLFWvw2-z6-ht-W1Cjw2FToPv_9oQny8zjoEbe04gh67XkET5IkRuD3tT4AoIs8qw/s1600/DSC05219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR1a6iD_GAK9QQ7XavNi-7oWNvGy2RgD-DQUQjE5-ZQUgkYJL-qAGxbJF1PZv7kexWXP06hM_HzjFLFWvw2-z6-ht-W1Cjw2FToPv_9oQny8zjoEbe04gh67XkET5IkRuD3tT4AoIs8qw/s320/DSC05219.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our massage room for 3 at Jari Menari</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Jari Menari translates to <em>'dancing fingers'</em>, and really, what a dance it was! The Mister and I are huge spa addicts & regularly have massages back home and whenever we travel but this, hands down, was the best massage we've ever had in Bali or anywhere else for that matter!</span></span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whoever trained these men is a genius. None of those lazy, repetitive kneading and rolling. At Jari Menari, you could tell there was a system, a choreography... that they were dancing to a silent rythm in their heads. Now, I don't mean to wax poetic about just a massage, but if you ever get the chance to get a massage in Jari Menari, I doubt that you won't end up sounding just like me when that massage is over!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">According to the Mister who was stealing glances at me (atleast during the few seconds he managed to stay awake), my therapist looked as if he really was dancing, pulling on my legs, doing stretches and getting into all these strange positions to really get to those tired muscles! When I took a peek at how his massage was going, his therapist had this intense serious look on his face that was set on getting all the knots out of the Mister's tired body. This was some serious bodywork. Why, they even say a silent prayer before they start the massage!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As for the Little Boy, he was fast asleep for a full 45 minutes, almost throughout the entire gentle Kids' Massage. (He did wake up quite abruptly towards the end of the massage though and probably panicked when he realized where he was so he freaked out for a bit, but would later on tell us that he actually enjoyed his massage as well!)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I got the Tibetan Singing Bowl massage, the last few minutes of my treatment was devoted to having the Tibetan Singing Bowl placed above certain points of the body where the chakras are and the therapist then strikes the bowl to produce sound vibrations that penetrate the body encouraging adjustments in the energy flow as well as produce a deep sense of relaxation...... I don't even have the words for how this felt but let's just say that I have never felt as relaxed and calm as I have in those few minutes, in my entire life.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Post-massage, we were left in the room to relax for a bit while they prepared our ginger tea. I honestly think they let us rest a bit longer than usual since I'm sure they could tell that we were too blissed out by the time they had finished with us and that we could hardly pull ourselves off the massage bed.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Needless to say, as we left Jari Menari weak-kneed and beyond relaxed, we now agree with everyone who says that Bali's best massage can indeed be found at Jari Menari!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR3bjnj6dE8_g9GmZ9fezTdn54TAVPEuWayBkwbdI5y1sV-6QaGg0D5Y1ZmePXOZpzi6Z8vn1T9F65rj59fcADiD_8bWjV_m3Hn1sEApwARCrCeJDHsHEny5o6MUsnrkHUqdoAm1Be0Vi/s1600/DSC05221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR3bjnj6dE8_g9GmZ9fezTdn54TAVPEuWayBkwbdI5y1sV-6QaGg0D5Y1ZmePXOZpzi6Z8vn1T9F65rj59fcADiD_8bWjV_m3Hn1sEApwARCrCeJDHsHEny5o6MUsnrkHUqdoAm1Be0Vi/s320/DSC05221.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-41254131406734578682010-08-09T21:42:00.001-07:002010-08-25T08:12:34.211-07:00A Morning at the Beach (and an Awesome Tekor Bali Breakfast!)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We woke up bright and early on our second morning in Bali, excited to swim in the sea!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Before 8 in the morning, we were already out and about, ready for our little morning walk to the beach. Jalan Werdukara (where Puri Damai is on) is quite lovely, empty and quiet, in the early morning. No motorbikes & taxis squeezing into the narrow street, and not even the stores were open yet. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BjzmuPh53KsaepoiRsBkOmK3Tx__63040HcwK_xsit30hNSCGmx4sQg9FeSjKSvStEfJyQOEMi7cnKfjpXT32q5AbwBUMQVkgRi634tVTPmj2Dheugybi73awFP1d0lVDI_Y9ejQekQ_/s1600/DSC04996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BjzmuPh53KsaepoiRsBkOmK3Tx__63040HcwK_xsit30hNSCGmx4sQg9FeSjKSvStEfJyQOEMi7cnKfjpXT32q5AbwBUMQVkgRi634tVTPmj2Dheugybi73awFP1d0lVDI_Y9ejQekQ_/s320/DSC04996.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6O6g1qXV7O0X5Q-fWqgLcXhxGyXnoyz6B_pH7JbQVzvIk_OKpGQ4BE1k9_mhBRbv_l1qK8Tj3m_qOI3l4PFVaskDzsG36fsl0Wa01BowB6ssWEmUQbB_TBbQ6JKNOolBu6PKVchYSKdJ/s1600/DSC04999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6O6g1qXV7O0X5Q-fWqgLcXhxGyXnoyz6B_pH7JbQVzvIk_OKpGQ4BE1k9_mhBRbv_l1qK8Tj3m_qOI3l4PFVaskDzsG36fsl0Wa01BowB6ssWEmUQbB_TBbQ6JKNOolBu6PKVchYSKdJ/s320/DSC04999.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">empty & quiet Jalan Werdukara in the early morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And it was the same eerie, quiet scene when we took the turn on Jalan Arjuna or Jalan 66 (named after the popular disco on the corner). So that made for</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> a nice early morning walk on this usually busy street without having to contend with the motorbikes and other tourists or vendors for sidewalk space. On the way to the beach, we just enjoyed watching the locals setting up shop and beginning to put out their daily offerings <em>(canangs) </em>on their storefront, praying for good luck and good business for the day! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG0vjl5yB3Od2TDkUGG2-yZaI0A6VrmJO8OiMg0Bh4BHaW7mBN2HT1i0ak8pYO5HM1mwuYW9BJ56znRrrWALSKsxhuf8nG5IQEO9j28fry3Eja6tyhkFwS4k07bm30mBs9paiv39JjGdK/s1600/DSC05002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG0vjl5yB3Od2TDkUGG2-yZaI0A6VrmJO8OiMg0Bh4BHaW7mBN2HT1i0ak8pYO5HM1mwuYW9BJ56znRrrWALSKsxhuf8nG5IQEO9j28fry3Eja6tyhkFwS4k07bm30mBs9paiv39JjGdK/s320/DSC05002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jalan Arjuna / Double Six</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Before long (I think it took us less than 10-15 minutes from Puri Damai before we hit Blue Ocean Road), we started to get a whiff of the sea and we excitedly ran across the street to enter the gates to Legian Beach.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfoop7SeTcevQQ0yRwpdBMyYZWbIQRFe6li5jlyo6u0_h6V9Q8Zcz6N3YuGpsfyUWGwFfJr5-ALzlbzbRHKjYHZEolWMuNxmzvjgmrqKeRHfmC00X4oDdEppDFsulq35m5YRnj5njY0AE/s1600/DSC05005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfoop7SeTcevQQ0yRwpdBMyYZWbIQRFe6li5jlyo6u0_h6V9Q8Zcz6N3YuGpsfyUWGwFfJr5-ALzlbzbRHKjYHZEolWMuNxmzvjgmrqKeRHfmC00X4oDdEppDFsulq35m5YRnj5njY0AE/s320/DSC05005.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">upon entering the gates to Legian Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(First a sidenote, living in the Philippines, we are spoiled with beautiful beaches! So travelling through Asia & visiting some of the other beach towns in our neighbouring countries, we've learned to appreciate the fact that not all beaches can have Palawan or Boracay's powdery white sands. To us beach babies though, where there is sand, sea & sun is beautiful, no matter what.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So on to Legian Beach! Just miles and miles of shoreline to both my left and right. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOShe4TDHeMQ9pHgAESWMCI4W5bfHB4aKT4dRlocpZi4MSbid1znNHAbtUNdQonxTNAKskAOEDqlNvaKYfMxF6rJgXWC06v1wV3BAHWxGrM6i48GbNuJ1t9XZ35UepoGRTbQK-GuTN0u0_/s1600/RIMG1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOShe4TDHeMQ9pHgAESWMCI4W5bfHB4aKT4dRlocpZi4MSbid1znNHAbtUNdQonxTNAKskAOEDqlNvaKYfMxF6rJgXWC06v1wV3BAHWxGrM6i48GbNuJ1t9XZ35UepoGRTbQK-GuTN0u0_/s320/RIMG1564.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legian Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9I628cE2jSLbHVS8BiABuirzd6AvCTFCetAPr1_MzuYCsmVQKrCazfZrp7cyVYwNvulMtGXrZqo6UNCL7EjDXHOqzbqozMunR7f1PY-oq-hudbxbMZAbzmcAerjnrt8Yv5sbq0sXtb-q/s1600/DSC05019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9I628cE2jSLbHVS8BiABuirzd6AvCTFCetAPr1_MzuYCsmVQKrCazfZrp7cyVYwNvulMtGXrZqo6UNCL7EjDXHOqzbqozMunR7f1PY-oq-hudbxbMZAbzmcAerjnrt8Yv5sbq0sXtb-q/s320/DSC05019.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching the local fisherman on Legian Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At 8 in the morning, people were just getting a headstart on their day...</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNFLYRuOI8JXiw0nhz45rS8LeU2iyLLzJ8WkNomZkU-7hamtfuVssLHjH2WmaTZsY6cLSXkPv7os57leGi2dFicXvgjtTG0XQVMDpMbEvqS6xAf3pctZxVSkyZ2EalMUg7Q2VAM3_mmV/s1600/DSC05006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FNFLYRuOI8JXiw0nhz45rS8LeU2iyLLzJ8WkNomZkU-7hamtfuVssLHjH2WmaTZsY6cLSXkPv7os57leGi2dFicXvgjtTG0XQVMDpMbEvqS6xAf3pctZxVSkyZ2EalMUg7Q2VAM3_mmV/s320/DSC05006.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">setting up beach beds & drinks for the tourists</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSrYArdgdyyVFBSQ4TNfxDw8YqPx-G3a-2SCGajNd6nN0342T0nYq9K_prRZikwoN4v8RbA-Jlb6-RBvieB3pdOx_yDpF0Q0m6PO1o4MkZNVD21Msd8Xz9lXhwnM1EEo692vikle_6yao/s1600/DSC05024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSrYArdgdyyVFBSQ4TNfxDw8YqPx-G3a-2SCGajNd6nN0342T0nYq9K_prRZikwoN4v8RbA-Jlb6-RBvieB3pdOx_yDpF0Q0m6PO1o4MkZNVD21Msd8Xz9lXhwnM1EEo692vikle_6yao/s320/DSC05024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other people on their morning beach walks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnU1PZ28A_WNkYNh4R2xXg1EAfoAObs0To9qcrrL0BuAtX4k14x_W3DJSrTmcPOh6lVYgsv8TpI4x4dOilWhAjeP30KgmlHdV3jyaG-t-FZVMgWkKEyxh-MNPYZ_DlJagRZDeH7MpksiE/s1600/DSC05025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnU1PZ28A_WNkYNh4R2xXg1EAfoAObs0To9qcrrL0BuAtX4k14x_W3DJSrTmcPOh6lVYgsv8TpI4x4dOilWhAjeP30KgmlHdV3jyaG-t-FZVMgWkKEyxh-MNPYZ_DlJagRZDeH7MpksiE/s320/DSC05025.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fishing on the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTQsShtnB7G1CbFJNwS5_Zl5su7iyxP5tNCTe0JhRQeSRp-M8TaCjEoxCz_ZsbEA3ymqrMiwoAqqfqQRo4rrPQppqvorQA1bFP5Bu9LAwGVlfItoGW9P9GBIGJtql7tR9vgHYri1TfUUl/s1600/RIMG1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTQsShtnB7G1CbFJNwS5_Zl5su7iyxP5tNCTe0JhRQeSRp-M8TaCjEoxCz_ZsbEA3ymqrMiwoAqqfqQRo4rrPQppqvorQA1bFP5Bu9LAwGVlfItoGW9P9GBIGJtql7tR9vgHYri1TfUUl/s320/RIMG1584.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a local surfer looking for waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just seeing the local life on the beach and walking on the sand and inhaling the salty air made me want to jump into the waves right away! But first, breakfast.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So after taking a few more shots of the local surfers & a few more breaths of salt-filled ocean air, we head back across the street to Tekor Bali.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XfxSGXwvlR7Vkl6rmSjuOsJ2FJrB6QTsKKnc5bVLUuk1YOLrrIOeD4TT3yEpsEl8ZMLIcJUq7xdqZ9wh6aqBIN56D11W4Q6cUQpa_D_0w0-M0XqkHkaZQX4-RhYG_OXzCUZdRUcZJdEA/s1600/DSC05004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XfxSGXwvlR7Vkl6rmSjuOsJ2FJrB6QTsKKnc5bVLUuk1YOLrrIOeD4TT3yEpsEl8ZMLIcJUq7xdqZ9wh6aqBIN56D11W4Q6cUQpa_D_0w0-M0XqkHkaZQX4-RhYG_OXzCUZdRUcZJdEA/s320/DSC05004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tekor Bali on Blue Ocean Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Tekor Bali is a popular spot for expats & tourists looking for a beachside breakfast. And while it's not beachfront (as we Filipinos define the term with places that are literally built on the beach) since the cafe is actually across the street from the beach, you do still get a great view of the sea from here!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU1tCoi4GHLHJRyUuSKXeB8ys42muQisOJJersoXU8TTRtALKuhebFmd6m7UfljKIPxA0dQ5y7oUsH6YRwJihxoMk16bRl7p2-mbR4KeM-Bc0wQAaO1yssFTscdnB62V99UUPQ2Thp_gP/s1600/RIMG1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU1tCoi4GHLHJRyUuSKXeB8ys42muQisOJJersoXU8TTRtALKuhebFmd6m7UfljKIPxA0dQ5y7oUsH6YRwJihxoMk16bRl7p2-mbR4KeM-Bc0wQAaO1yssFTscdnB62V99UUPQ2Thp_gP/s320/RIMG1522.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside Tekor Bali</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I decided to go local and ordered the Indonesian Breakfast Set which included a small glass of fresh fruit juice (I ordered Banana!), a pot (yes, a pot!!) of tea or coffee, a fruit salad, and a choice between the mie goreng or nasi goreng with chicken & egg (i went for the latter). All that for just Rp26,500 (that's about Php135 or $3). That's a steal! And a delicious one, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEHSdd9AjTeETT22dAy1u53BwPsWiy54-MpSpJpvnAczDkqLJ9yqkUjGGVNf8I37ryQ8rVbWAclD3vhvqkKkOHfU1zdHu0Ww8n0GuV85d3yRIlSlzjd3fbTDNnro0bRzZLVZmV3yN103G/s1600/DSC05073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEHSdd9AjTeETT22dAy1u53BwPsWiy54-MpSpJpvnAczDkqLJ9yqkUjGGVNf8I37ryQ8rVbWAclD3vhvqkKkOHfU1zdHu0Ww8n0GuV85d3yRIlSlzjd3fbTDNnro0bRzZLVZmV3yN103G/s320/DSC05073.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Nasi Goreng</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgswNGYfUJFrZI0HMbJSMXFF05tIIWakG00Afvj6YqJ7RoleyRFGz8bjuqRUjkLUhwZjKBVpoqrYETiwMW_dnd3KNkGYF_lTRMm6ehD879s4itL_R9wdlMR9YTPAAQyncyxiDuvwtx20/s1600/DSC05059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgswNGYfUJFrZI0HMbJSMXFF05tIIWakG00Afvj6YqJ7RoleyRFGz8bjuqRUjkLUhwZjKBVpoqrYETiwMW_dnd3KNkGYF_lTRMm6ehD879s4itL_R9wdlMR9YTPAAQyncyxiDuvwtx20/s320/DSC05059.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a starter of Fresh Fruits & Shredded Coconut,<br />
a small glass of fresh Banana Juice & a pot of Bali coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Mister went for the Tekor Special set which included fresh fruit juice (he went for Mango), his own pot of tea or coffee (we both got coffee, the caffeine addicts that we are), his own plate of fruit salad, Balinese salmon, cheese, grilled tomatoes, two eggs any style, potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, choice of bread, butter and jam or honey. This big breakfast went for just Rp36,500 (Php186 / $4)! Not bad at all! And those sauteed mushrooms were just awesome!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMcpp_ssISL3bLdGi_hLOOZSBA_8AcmLhx-5Y4JrBx8p-4hFcXYta6Sp2fkYzFqlHYnNYZd6qD9FlerdvhvHYQUts7jVXyKpdFoG6TuiSOxyQhpol-6tQ4GJUm3w60BnxCoi67m6gBzGV/s1600/DSC05070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMcpp_ssISL3bLdGi_hLOOZSBA_8AcmLhx-5Y4JrBx8p-4hFcXYta6Sp2fkYzFqlHYnNYZd6qD9FlerdvhvHYQUts7jVXyKpdFoG6TuiSOxyQhpol-6tQ4GJUm3w60BnxCoi67m6gBzGV/s320/DSC05070.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mister's Tekor Special Breakfast Set</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And for the Little Boy, we played safe (and very backpacker! :p) and ordered Banana Pancakes! And what a big pancake it was, stuffed with plenty of banana slices! Yum!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkX1kOmUp09v6gWwYmyCLcWm7qRCDeKcOQspRo2Agnypvdc8yJtlc9ze3LRsjhAPDf3nRej2hmWbeAJ9Skb0-Q2M6JxM-pRvlgD2IHF0qsCpSbrSjKIJ22CfaWYje85FiOJi_yKfZGQ8B/s1600/DSC05074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkX1kOmUp09v6gWwYmyCLcWm7qRCDeKcOQspRo2Agnypvdc8yJtlc9ze3LRsjhAPDf3nRej2hmWbeAJ9Skb0-Q2M6JxM-pRvlgD2IHF0qsCpSbrSjKIJ22CfaWYje85FiOJi_yKfZGQ8B/s320/DSC05074.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Banana Pancakes for the Little Boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All that food plus the sea breeze and the view of the beach from our table made this hands down, our best breakfast in Bali!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIEjNw-MhdQyNui_UZh1UUlq6f-49Z2N6uiTWHYIb94-CA8BAHGnPffT3xXXuHSp3KYf423uOLXDC6fFEr3KeJh_sHBgowC0O05YVr69o4rL8nXIhRWrliTIHEVwQXwIOWTg7PaUBxkk6/s1600/RIMG1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIEjNw-MhdQyNui_UZh1UUlq6f-49Z2N6uiTWHYIb94-CA8BAHGnPffT3xXXuHSp3KYf423uOLXDC6fFEr3KeJh_sHBgowC0O05YVr69o4rL8nXIhRWrliTIHEVwQXwIOWTg7PaUBxkk6/s320/RIMG1555.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all that food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqPnANryuAsympLJWOvRSYfRmHeKcZI4kvs1Co-j5PKZR1zuU_mLc-5onGAkI_QMy3Jma9THIWHJQXWV0SVyMh__d38h1CmwB65OoaQAVLn73cuns-oJNe3O8GTxap_eRsES-vprfV1c_/s1600/RIMG1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqPnANryuAsympLJWOvRSYfRmHeKcZI4kvs1Co-j5PKZR1zuU_mLc-5onGAkI_QMy3Jma9THIWHJQXWV0SVyMh__d38h1CmwB65OoaQAVLn73cuns-oJNe3O8GTxap_eRsES-vprfV1c_/s320/RIMG1523.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view of the blue sea from our breakfast table at Tekor Bali</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After the hearty breakfast, we walked back to Legian Beach & looked for a nice spot to plop on. Rows & rows of sun beds & umbrellas were arranged on the beachfront but the local surfer dudes were renting them out for Rp50,000/day for a pair! After much haggling though, we were able to convince one of the dudes to rent it out to us for only Rp20,000 since we were going to be there for just a couple of hours and only needed one sun bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQqyXCeYGuRnBA2Ze4EZJarPgkiLJxXs2lkh8RFSrxRVWe6TTaGNssCQUwXUQvYE2RBHYEvgXshVN-s98hrqZAsw9P6sL7xMr9QYoMFhWnR_HVDwOC4TVufk0uOwMs74gDvNF_z94jo8E/s1600/DSC05029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQqyXCeYGuRnBA2Ze4EZJarPgkiLJxXs2lkh8RFSrxRVWe6TTaGNssCQUwXUQvYE2RBHYEvgXshVN-s98hrqZAsw9P6sL7xMr9QYoMFhWnR_HVDwOC4TVufk0uOwMs74gDvNF_z94jo8E/s320/DSC05029.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunbeds on Legian Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">[A sidestory: As soon as we settled into our sunbed, we were joined by a small family of a boy about our Little Boy's age, his mother and his grandmother on the next sunbed. We chitchatted a bit before the mom strips off her clothes (down to just her bikini bottom) and started doing yoga right there (a sunbed away from us!), doing half-naked downdogs & cobras in nothing but her tiny bikini bottom! And there were the little boys, just a few feet away, completely oblivious to everything but their sandcastles & the waves! It surely made for one of the most interesting experiences we've ever had anywhere.]</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A tip: Legian Beach has got some strong undercurrents so it's best to stick to the designated swimming areas (usually marked by flags). As for us though, we stuck to the shoreline just playing in the waves with the Little Boy. The Mister & I would sometimes take turns to sneak a short swim out to the deeper parts (super refreshing since the water was so cold!!!) but would quickly swim back again since playing in the big waves was just a lot more fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjlGGvVgtKojxNZTjuUj3CApP31JZ2ISdjc-TwHnVkmSpdwFYwFprPjSbH06QZs4ddYN9zG37DKkMv_BWIiZ79VKuSj7M_3mQmLMX2K-pyb4wL9mfLKKsciULBuBd6okiqaw54EdiBsYL/s1600/RIMG1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjlGGvVgtKojxNZTjuUj3CApP31JZ2ISdjc-TwHnVkmSpdwFYwFprPjSbH06QZs4ddYN9zG37DKkMv_BWIiZ79VKuSj7M_3mQmLMX2K-pyb4wL9mfLKKsciULBuBd6okiqaw54EdiBsYL/s320/RIMG1587.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chasing waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now, the sand on Legian Beach was a dark shade of gray and a bit grainy, but still perfect for building sandcastles with the little boy! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So we spent the rest of the morning building sandcastles, chasing waves, watching surfers and the latter part just running after the Little Boy to get him back in his clothes (he was NOT happy about leaving the beach!) to get back to Puri Damai for one last quick dip in the pool before we check out & continue on with the rest of our Bali adventure.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlZtZEzVYmimghKI9OC50bPjD66PxVy_hvN9Oj9PLlzWxKMaKKY1LqNakr_lj_02sLuWvDTUmQZPjgjtZXDrmTlJYuJNW3KJanaH1QJCz5DU28O7GulYYZDAddduu0zY5u29tF301hNcN/s1600/DSC05138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlZtZEzVYmimghKI9OC50bPjD66PxVy_hvN9Oj9PLlzWxKMaKKY1LqNakr_lj_02sLuWvDTUmQZPjgjtZXDrmTlJYuJNW3KJanaH1QJCz5DU28O7GulYYZDAddduu0zY5u29tF301hNcN/s320/DSC05138.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing in the waves <br />
and watching the surfers on Legian Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9199791537459603374.post-55236081273836944182010-08-08T08:29:00.001-07:002010-08-25T08:08:52.011-07:00A Spice Rub at Rei Spa & a Ketupat Dinner Surprise<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnboOcOGn1HerQgTyue5Hi0xuJTFCLqodxIJxgN9Hvc2w3ANuj0yu7dUN6ENhMOzHXikzIIDX-1JUAQcsuCaUU5nvwmCAT7fh0zV2S_8hAXPV6KlxtOgXXA7i_ESCDM8Bzq-GQkN1gscqc/s1600/DSC04919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnboOcOGn1HerQgTyue5Hi0xuJTFCLqodxIJxgN9Hvc2w3ANuj0yu7dUN6ENhMOzHXikzIIDX-1JUAQcsuCaUU5nvwmCAT7fh0zV2S_8hAXPV6KlxtOgXXA7i_ESCDM8Bzq-GQkN1gscqc/s320/DSC04919.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at Rei Wellness Spa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bali being one of the spa capitals of Asia was a dream trip for such a big spa addict like me! Having said that, all of our spa treatments for this trip were already booked even before we left for Bali. And I wasn't about to let Day 1 end without a spa visit!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the traditional Balinese spa rituals I have always wanted to try is the Balinese Boreh - a traditional home remedy for tired & sore muscles for farmers' that had worked on their fields all day. What it is is basically a mixture of hot spices & herbs they pick out from their own gardens & fields that they grind & pound into a paste which they then rub all over their bodies to create a sort of heat pack. It is said to relieve muscle aches & increase blood circulation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In AsiaSpa's special Bali edition, I had read that <a href="http://www.reiwellness.com/">Rei Wellness Spa</a> in the Kuta area was one of the best places to get a Boreh. They supposedly make their spice rubs only when you get there so you can be assured of its freshness and that they don't use commercial readymade Boreh pastes. The thing was, there was hardly any reviews online (I found mostly blog posts in Japanese!) and for $115+ for their 3-hour 15-min Boreh ritual, I was a bit hesitant to book.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The deal clincher though was how helpful they were with all my email inquiries, and that they were willing to extend their hours just for me! We were coming from Uluwatu & weren't sure if we could get back to the Kuta area by 8pm (which was usually their last call) but when I emailed them my concern, they immediately offered to extend their hours to wait for me & even offered to have their driver drop me off back to Puri Damai afterwards. I was sold!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So after a long, exhausting day (a 3-hour flight from KL to Bali, running after the little boy in the pool in the afternoon, and a couple of hours stuck in traffic in the car), I was more than ready for my Boreh ritual!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPL5rYITf8b1ZtkkXDae6rqwmSczwPJjItU2K_RM8G4EjCoQMNuC8D0S3e3oqaszNYF7I6CHCic7wtQmhYXHVwm_xD3pEw24vHfE1vXCDAm_3xLJVq_vYJxIz1-Oeqnd7a48w4Wu0Nfz4/s1600/DSC04928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPL5rYITf8b1ZtkkXDae6rqwmSczwPJjItU2K_RM8G4EjCoQMNuC8D0S3e3oqaszNYF7I6CHCic7wtQmhYXHVwm_xD3pEw24vHfE1vXCDAm_3xLJVq_vYJxIz1-Oeqnd7a48w4Wu0Nfz4/s320/DSC04928.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rei Spa's canang offering and<br />
burning incense cones at the lobby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The thing with Rei is that it's not easily accessible. I was surprised to be driving through a narrow road in the middle of rice fields to get to Rei (in the dark!!). But as soon as I stepped into its reception, the smell of burning incense instantly relaxed me and got me excited for the 3-hour long Traditional Bliss ritual I had booked. I was met by the lovely Tanti, the spa manager, and she explained to me that Rei is actually made up of just 4 spa villas surrounding the reception courtyard so it was very private. I didn't bump into anyone else the whole time I was there and felt like I had the whole place to myself! She also explained how most of their guests were Japanese tourists booked thru travel agents, which explains why I was only able to find Japanese blog posts about it. A little Japanese secret spa! She then introduced me to my therapist for the evening who brought me a cold towel and a small glass of refreshing hibiscus juice, before leading the way to my own spa villa for the next few hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm74kLCU6-RSCy9IyugUdmQBWpdn6Dil-VgR7W1FaoF_Hn15C8QmDdb1oOkGOSN29GoIrzhZqdtLW83qDOhe0gZ-XYPDjpo87G-32Me85-ZoKs-Dfk7svXJ2m1Nh4oDDPhciZ8bW9kYySN/s1600/DSC04926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm74kLCU6-RSCy9IyugUdmQBWpdn6Dil-VgR7W1FaoF_Hn15C8QmDdb1oOkGOSN29GoIrzhZqdtLW83qDOhe0gZ-XYPDjpo87G-32Me85-ZoKs-Dfk7svXJ2m1Nh4oDDPhciZ8bW9kYySN/s320/DSC04926.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a glass of refreshing hibiscus juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNVOBnuK5LAoSsPB9MEzItCqE6gaHRSYO9L5kVvp-v19oLm880HhaSY-wsN_Ugv2_vcYzEPgNtuCYgZhHZDG2MR5M40I3fZ9tUNSnd98NGB0iUFGE_0vKgGNmn_UxtCd4cTHO74C-EBQJ/s1600/DSC04931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNVOBnuK5LAoSsPB9MEzItCqE6gaHRSYO9L5kVvp-v19oLm880HhaSY-wsN_Ugv2_vcYzEPgNtuCYgZhHZDG2MR5M40I3fZ9tUNSnd98NGB0iUFGE_0vKgGNmn_UxtCd4cTHO74C-EBQJ/s320/DSC04931.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rei Spa's reception area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Upon entering the gate of the spa villa, I was asked to take off my sandals to let the stones & pebbles around the villa to massage the soles of my feet. Interesting & indeed very stimulating. I was asked not to shower yet since the treatment begins with a body wash anyway so I willingly obeyed & just changed into my robe and began the 3-hour long ritual with a foot wash. And not just a regular foot wash. First, my feet were soaked in warm water with sea salt and antiseptic betel leaves; then rubbed with slices of lime & ginger until my feet were squeaky clean! and then lovingly wrapped in fresh clean towels while the therapist does a short massage on the legs & feet before finally drying it off.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X-sXS21tY1mJvlIwLHZqJc6jD4-7g6wqlM-xErg2FaZW976Ih4v5ztnt5VxBtM08bpaFeLb8HdaInE5Jr2JT9ASovSItiqU341tqF3Oseex9rPFaGBNpvnqFYUra-xrywcxRL99D4Rez/s1600/DSC04955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X-sXS21tY1mJvlIwLHZqJc6jD4-7g6wqlM-xErg2FaZW976Ih4v5ztnt5VxBtM08bpaFeLb8HdaInE5Jr2JT9ASovSItiqU341tqF3Oseex9rPFaGBNpvnqFYUra-xrywcxRL99D4Rez/s320/DSC04955.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh towels, sea salt, betel leaves,<br />
slices of ginger & lime for my foot wash</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was then asked to lie face down on the massage bed while my excellent therapist for the evening began the body wash, followed by the application of the Boreh paste. The fragrant spices (I smelled cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, clove, nutmeg & fennel!) immediately put me into a state of bliss. After a while, I started to feel the heat from the spices penetrating my skin and warming the muscles and after a few more minutes, the heat started getting more intense but also a lot more relaxing. Then, the rub was gently sloughed off before fresh aloe vera gel was slathered all over my body to cool it back down. After an hour of this, I was instructed to shower off the scrub & aloe vera before another 90 minutes of massage. Of course, I willingly obeyed and walked jelly-kneed to the bathroom.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo0GQ9x7SfG1JxEnv2xMeLdvI_jzbrnf7Cb5dR5ndLnN8Cq29Vyf9hzBGsNG7mdC2lQnRlN8C6MGbPkXbMdmlBsDW1OU-LRsbF1dQl5D03f2jtaDQ_7R1BL3PKvZc94zhEQb0NiQtaNXT/s1600/DSC04944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo0GQ9x7SfG1JxEnv2xMeLdvI_jzbrnf7Cb5dR5ndLnN8Cq29Vyf9hzBGsNG7mdC2lQnRlN8C6MGbPkXbMdmlBsDW1OU-LRsbF1dQl5D03f2jtaDQ_7R1BL3PKvZc94zhEQb0NiQtaNXT/s320/DSC04944.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh aloe vera gel & the Balinese spices for my Boreh scrub / mask</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Showering in the spa villa's semi-outdoor shower was also an experience in itself. I mean how often do you get to shower under the stars and with a bit of a view out the empty rice fields, while listening to crickets & frog song just outside?</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDRlwGfZIaQNezyfzq_9rs-Oyq7tT-N_jFNFmWjGMw2pNiRGg9gBmGTQQrUZUBeceDhzCrAiBEFfAbBJY9k7o66222W3KGoy3LYoHWBuKl75VsiGt9zV9VqMUcv-DtAjrIKVXKM_IH7ur/s1600/DSC04935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDRlwGfZIaQNezyfzq_9rs-Oyq7tT-N_jFNFmWjGMw2pNiRGg9gBmGTQQrUZUBeceDhzCrAiBEFfAbBJY9k7o66222W3KGoy3LYoHWBuKl75VsiGt9zV9VqMUcv-DtAjrIKVXKM_IH7ur/s320/DSC04935.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the inviting bathtub</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And then another hour & a half of bliss begins with a mind-melting full body massage using a mix of Green Tea & Lavender oils. I was beyond consciousness by this point and was sound asleep throughout the entire massage.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And as if all that wasn't enough, after the massage, I walked to the bathroom to find a tub filled with bubbles and leaves and citrus fruits for my fruit bath and I lay in there soaking for a few more minutes of bliss.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXXtGncggF3-KLpd_71q_xusXttJntTl2uVlZUBJxBdXK0Mofb1kyJSUdvj50iRwkA4Q6C0XDBO71qWNo7grZTN4YAEz2EqgMgSlti4RwH1ERv2-GQD65wUECGSiM8is93MYqmby84utf/s1600/DSC04961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXXtGncggF3-KLpd_71q_xusXttJntTl2uVlZUBJxBdXK0Mofb1kyJSUdvj50iRwkA4Q6C0XDBO71qWNo7grZTN4YAEz2EqgMgSlti4RwH1ERv2-GQD65wUECGSiM8is93MYqmby84utf/s320/DSC04961.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slices of fruits & kaffir lime leaves & bubbles in the tub!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L58ILI3lP7fED5kz6Gw8NItq_Az406pc89TJ_zuV62FPLhaJqDWkpZ83XFbzTDW7VEyU6lFWRPqb6cGZBvhwcs23pMRjntm9cn6fmnJ_bv86EMEbN2RWRLhkF2hOR3hgDC0b3StZ1AJz/s1600/DSC04960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L58ILI3lP7fED5kz6Gw8NItq_Az406pc89TJ_zuV62FPLhaJqDWkpZ83XFbzTDW7VEyU6lFWRPqb6cGZBvhwcs23pMRjntm9cn6fmnJ_bv86EMEbN2RWRLhkF2hOR3hgDC0b3StZ1AJz/s320/DSC04960.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready for my fruit bath<br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The whole ritual ended with a plate of fresh fruits & a glass of fresh fruit juice to get my sugar levels back up. I was just ready to head to bed and crash by this time so they asked their kind driver to take me back to Puri Damai as soon as I was finished with my fruits. I was back at Puri Damai in less than 20 minutes!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwf5bLp8KVzOz6uSFxWFw0XsHUMKpcDtRaHDfBVHBvrrja9PBDck9Ns4CNkuxyOUp0tcyXbjABk5iUXABzOOXmw-Hw4vKo3MyhoLBjqwm3SaIlkxz6z6xjUA8-Gy6e9IvMi1G8kSd_JjD/s1600/DSC04971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwf5bLp8KVzOz6uSFxWFw0XsHUMKpcDtRaHDfBVHBvrrja9PBDck9Ns4CNkuxyOUp0tcyXbjABk5iUXABzOOXmw-Hw4vKo3MyhoLBjqwm3SaIlkxz6z6xjUA8-Gy6e9IvMi1G8kSd_JjD/s320/DSC04971.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bowl of fresh fruits post-massage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GNAGYjO7EHVordmCZSr5QaiF3k7gKuSXjzFGrUks19NXhU-JV8ocg2Dy5aFJQ2ZBjNlKMtRcBo8Z4CUqUKYK9iVopagCqrD30ZnyfWU9DxQ6l_IADlA1Q6IdYQLUobPrIAZhnVdgLGbr/s1600/DSC04973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GNAGYjO7EHVordmCZSr5QaiF3k7gKuSXjzFGrUks19NXhU-JV8ocg2Dy5aFJQ2ZBjNlKMtRcBo8Z4CUqUKYK9iVopagCqrD30ZnyfWU9DxQ6l_IADlA1Q6IdYQLUobPrIAZhnVdgLGbr/s320/DSC04973.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a glass of fresh fruit juice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But my day wasn't over yet. I had missed dinner since we were in a hurry to get to the spa after getting stuck in traffic coming from Uluwatu; so on the way back to Kuta, we just bought take-out from McDonalds for the Little Boy & decided to just look for a place to eat at when I got back from the spa. When I got to the apartment though, I was surprised to find that it was dark & empty so I started to worry. But when I went back out & checked the kitchen, the Mister & the Little Boy jumped out of the counter to surprise me with a small feast of Spicy Seafood Soup, Chicken Sate Lilit, and a fresh Coconut from Ketupat. As tired and ready to crash as I was, I couldn't say no to that!</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKhAC1Pr-ZxRyUWLpfxG6CC026NPGGBS2WScCxqsLY4qim-UTWXMG-Z0fo-3bZxgDd0J4oLQJ7KInkucgQldVOKMJUn0lDMQp5r_XhkzWWsOlDsTr6LLE1FFlg9MvUqKGDorU30lHUT1P/s1600/DSC04977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKhAC1Pr-ZxRyUWLpfxG6CC026NPGGBS2WScCxqsLY4qim-UTWXMG-Z0fo-3bZxgDd0J4oLQJ7KInkucgQldVOKMJUn0lDMQp5r_XhkzWWsOlDsTr6LLE1FFlg9MvUqKGDorU30lHUT1P/s320/DSC04977.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our mini feast from Ketupat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>earthboundfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541890155988106573noreply@blogger.com2