Mauie Flores

A few months ago, I was able to find RiCo Corn Rice in the grocery shelves. I immediately bought a 1-kilo pack to try it because I saw on the label that it has a lower glycemic index. I remember asking my son if he'd like to try it and he said yes. I knew he would agree because he loves to try out "unusual things."

But you know, corn rice is not really new to me. As a young girl, I have already tried eating corn rice during the many summers I spent in the province. But RiCo corn rice is different because it's orange-colored. I remember eating white corn rice and its texture is softer and stickier.


RiCo corn rice is made of 100% Philippine-grown corn fortified with iron and calcium. According to the package, corn rice is:

• For controlled blood sugar level - It's best for diabetics and pre-diabetics because of its low glycemic index.
• For good eyesight - Corn contains the anti-oxidants beta-carotene and lutein.
• For increased energy - Corn rice provides adequate carbohydrates for energy as well as Vitamin B complex.
• Aflatoxin safe - These toxins are usually found in stored rice and are hazardous to health.

Cooking RiCo corn rice is quite easy and it's similar to cooking regular rice except that it needs a bit more water. When my mom saw this, she immediately told me that it would require more water even before she saw the package instructions. Again, it's based on her experience in the province. White corn rice, apparently, would not need extra water.

Some important things to remember, though:

1. The grains should not be washed to preserve its water soluble nutrients.
2. If a loose and fluffy consistency is preferred, RiCo rice corn should be cooked like pasta. Boil the water first, put the corn rice until it's cooked, then drain the excess water.

My cooked RiCo rice corn is a hit! I partnered it with grilled squid, much to the delight of my boys because they thought I cooked Java Rice, hehe... (Sosyal daw!) The husband did not know that it was rice corn until I told him that it was. It basically tastes the same as regular rice. Actually, it's yummier if you ask me.

RiCo corn rice is available in 1-kg, 2-kg, and 5-kg packs. The 1-kg pack I bought from SM Supermarket cost Php 70 while a 2-kg pack costs Php 125. I'm trying out new recipes using Rico corn rice so better stay tuned. By the way, recipes are available at yummyhealthy.ph.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

The flavor and taste of well known foods differs from place to place around the world. Every region has its own traditional cuisine with distinct flavors. Depending on your taste buds you may find and remember your favorite foods, delicacies and more every place you travel. Tuscany, a region in Italy, also has a few specialty foods that every traveler should try when they visit Italy. When you’re settled into Tuscany and you are enjoying your Tuscany villa rentals, think about all of your favorite foods and what you may expect to find in Tuscany. If you don’t want to miss some of the best meals, here are some of the popular dishes to try:

Read More

If you happen to live just around the corner from a park or inviting green hill perhaps going on a picnic is part of your everyday spring activity. If you have little ones or work at home it’s often nice to get away just for a quick hour during lunch and then once the weekend arrives perhaps you spend even more time at your favorite park. After all, it’s nice to be able to soak up some vitamin D and enjoy the nature, isn’t it? If you find yourself getting stuck in a pattern of taking the same food, going to the same picnic location and getting bored then you should add some imagination to your mix. Are you bringing along a book? Are you spending too much time on your smart phone? Think about ways you can bring creativity to the park each day and the change will do you good.

Read More

We all know that living longer and looking younger requires eating healthy food. However, in these times, it's easier said than done. I myself am guilty of not buying enough healthy stuff for our household. But I'm not getting any younger (and healthier, tsk!) so I better start eating more healthy food.

Read More

My son has already been blogging since 2005 but has been preoccupied with a lot of things that he seldom gets to update his blog more often. The husband, on the other hand, has been thinking of having a blog but I doubt that he can ever manage writing regularly since he's busy with work, too. Thus, OurFoodTrip.com was born in October last year. I designed it to be a collaborative writing project for the three of us. I serve as the site admin and they contribute their food reviews when they're available to write.

Hope you can visit us at OurFoodTrip.com.

Nine months and 24 posts after, our food blog has now achieved Page Rank 1. It was a delightful surprise, actually, considering that we don't get to update the blog as often as we want to. I'm now more inspired to write more mouth-watering posts. I may also share recipes from the books I kept all these years. Who knows, I may impose on myself a cooking challenge ala Julie/Julia Project.

The only downside to all this cooking and eating will be my health and my weight, I know. So, most probably, I'll be cooking and the boys will be eating. Then they'll be the ones to hunt for the best diet pills in the world! Haha! Sweet revenge, don't you think?


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Valentine's Day is synonymous with flowers and chocolates. Flowers I can have but chocolates, not. Well, not all the time. I can still eat dark chocolates, you know. Unlike milk chocolates and white chocolates, dark chocolates are rich in flavonoids, an anti-oxidant that's derived from plants. A research done in 2005 showed that dark chocolates helped participants lower their blood pressure levels. It has also helped increase the body's metabolism of sugar, something that diabetics like me can't do.

Like jewelry, cosmetics, and, in my case, cellulaires (French for cellular phones, haha!), chocolates are a girl's best friend. I'm not asking too much. Just a few bites every once in a while. Of course, it still has loads of calories so I still can't have too much dark chocolate.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

We're still at the Legend Villas and we'll be checking out at 6 p.m. tonight. Thank goodness there's 24/7 free wifi here! Anyway, we have just come back from availing our complimentary buffet breakfast and hearing mass at the nearby St. Francis of Assisi Parish. We still feel full up to this hour that we decided to go swimming and just eat lunch later this afternoon.

For me, buffet banquets are a hassle especially since I'm trying to lose weight. But since the breakfast came free with our accommodations for this weekend, I have no choice but to take it. However, I think I did well in sticking to my diet and only eating what I can.

Here's you can do to enjoy a buffet banquet without going overboard and spoiling your diet:

• Drinks come first. Drinking a glass of water before eating fills the tummy in an instant so there'll be less cravings to eat more.
• More fiber, less carbs. Eat more vegetables and less rice. Filipino viands often taste better when they're eaten with rice so it takes a great deal of courage to resist doing so. Have a fruit platter for dessert and skip the desserts table.
• Eat a little of everything (except for the carbs). It's a buffet, anyway. At least you get to taste all the food without ruining your diet. =)

It would also help to drink tea after to help you in digestion. You can also take a carnitine supplement to help you burn the fat that you gained from all that eating.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Have you tried the new KFC Doubledown Sandwich? Well, technically, it's not a sandwich because there's no bun. It's made bacon strips, cheese, and mayonnaise sandwiched between two original recipe chicken fillets. It's pure protein overload but totally fatty, if you ask me.



I think I might need a colon cleansing diet after having a fill of this sinful treat. I found it better to eat as a meal with rice and gravy, haha! For a hundred bucks, it's worth the try. But no, I think I will not have another bite of this "sandwich."

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

It's less than a month before Christmas, have you started planning your Noche Buena feast? Of course, the Filipino Christmas feast is never complete without hamon. It's always paired with keso de bola and wine in our family. Thus, it's non-negotiable. There should always be ham on our Noche Buena table. This Christmas, we're having Holiday Ham.


Here are three things which make this ham the best among the rest.

First is that the Holiday Ham is made from one whole boneless meat from the hind leg which is the best cut of pork for hams. Hind leg ham is tastier and meatier compared to the more common shaped hams. Shaped hams are already processed and although brands would use meat from the other parts of the pork, nothing can beat the goodness found only on the hind leg of pork.

Second, the Holiday Ham is a high-quality smoked ham. The net marks attests to that. Only whole-meat hams can be smoked in ham nets because if it isn’t, pieces would fall off.

Lastly, Holiday Ham has no extenders. The appearance, taste and texture tell the truth. The ham is meat, juicy, and flavorful, that makes me convinced that I really got the best value for my money.

During the product launch last November 20, 2010, Chef Rob Pengson prepared a simple but tasteful dish combining the cut ham with salad greens.



Yummy and healthy, don't you think? I'll just copy this for our Noche Buena feast, LOL!


Learn more about Holiday Ham on http://holidayham.com.ph and register for the chance to win an Apple iPad! Registration will only be until December 20, 2010. You can also ‘Like’ the Holiday Ham page on Facebook.



Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Alas, even with the numerous online and offline contests I have joined, I still haven't won an Apple iPad. It's not that I badly want one, but getting one as a prize would definitely be a bonus. However, some friends are telling us that it's better to wait for the 2nd generation iPad instead so there'll be better features minus the bugs. That's actually one reason why I am not buying one.

Want an Appple iPad? Here's one contest you can join. To make the holidays a cut above the rest, CDO Holiday Ham will be giving out an Apple iPad. Interested parties need only to register with their name, Facebook page URL, mobile phone number, and email address. It’s that easy! The registration is on the Holiday Ham website http://holidayham.com.ph/subpages/promo.aspx and is open until December 20, 2010.

CDO is really making people happy this Christmas. In fact, 3 bloggers now have new ipods because they gave them away last Saturday during the press launch. I'll be writing more of the product soon. In the meantime, let's go and join the Apple iPad promo!


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

In April this year, I bought my very first oven from my writing income. The following month, I enrolled myself in Heny Sison's culinary school to study the basics of baking. I really am a noob when it comes to baking because my mom didn't bake too. I'm glad I learned how to bake because it' fun and therapeutic at the same time. I can't eat sweets but I'm baking sweets for my loved ones!

I baked those cupcakes for my parents' 60th birthday celebration last weekend. I used the yellow cake recipe that we learned in baking class. Meanwhile, I found the recipe for the marshmallow fondant in the internet. I initially planned to buy gold coins made of chocolate as toppings for the cupcakes but they were too big. And besides, my boy thought that it was better to put golden chocolate coins for a 50th birthday cake.

So there, I'm now known as the diabetic baker in the family! I may not be able to eat them, but I'm sure happy looking at how pretty they turned out to be!


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

I don't eat bananas. I do get the chance to eat bananas when they are made into cakes and and banana cues. I find ripe bananas hard to swallow and I often find myself having to urge to vomit after eating them.

My father, in his effort to teach me how to eat that fruit, told me years ago that I would have acne if I don't eat bananas. He's convinced that monkeys don't have acne because they eat bananas often. It sounds silly, doesn't it. Though I'm not sure if bananas can be a natural acne treatment.

So, yeah, if you have acne and my dad sees you, he'll think you don't eat bananas too.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Yesterday, I wrote about me being on fiesta mode. And part of this festive season are tables full of yummy food. Today, I am confessing. I ate rice for dinner. I felt I needed to have the extra carbohydrates after we walked for hours for the Peñafrancia fluvial procession. But at least, I know I ate a lot of Ate Cel's leafy greens.

I love leafy greens especially when it's eaten with the salad dressing my sister-in-law prepared. I can eat this everyday. It's just that I don't get to buy fresh vegetables today unlike when we were still living in Laguna. We eat meat almost everyday and I feel that it's already taking a toll on my colon. I need more fiber and having a garden salad every day is just like taking a colon cleanser that works.

Do you love leafy greens? What dressing is your favorite?


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Do you believe that the food we eat affects our mood? Well, I do. In fact, there is evidence that some foods do affect our moods. If you are feeling stressed and you want to lighten up a little, here are the foods that you should have:

Image courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1115716 .

• Foods rich in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids . Examples of these are walnuts, salmon, and sardines. These fatty acids are needed by the brain cells and mood-lifting neurotransmitters to function properly. 
• Foods rich in high soluble fiber. Always try to have healthy servings of whole grains like oats and fruits like apples and strawberries. Fibrous foods help normalize blood sugar levels, thus, giving you more stable mood patterns throughout the day.
• Caffeine. Yes, it's true. Some people do get cranky when they haven't had their cup of coffee yet. Avoid too much caffeine, though. Too much caffeine will only make you nervous and irritable. Stick to just an 8 ounce cup in the morning. Have some green tea instead when you feel the urge for coffee in the afternoon.
• Foods rich in folate. Go for legumes like lentils and beans, vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, and liver. Low levels of folate are linked to depression.

So there you have it. Let's stay full, happy, and healthy!


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Sorry, but I'm on a no diet mode for almost a week now. I realized that it may take us a couple of years before we can visit Bacolod again so I went all out on the Chicken Inasal (roasted chicken)! LOL! I tell you, the best and the authentic chicken inasal is in Manokan Country which is just a stone's throw away from SM City Bacolod.

I'm still in Bacolod, by the way, and I'm going to make a lengthy mouth-watering post that is deserving of its fame in my travel blog when I get back to Manila. I'll think about how to lose weight quickly as soon as I get back, too. For now, I will just enjoy my deliciously authentic pecho-pak chicken inasal!

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

I recently received an email from a reader with relevant information about coco sugar. Honestly, I've been using artificial sweeteners and Muscovado sugar but it was the first time I read about coco sugar. And to think that the Philippines has an abundance of coconuts! I really got the surprise of my life that I remporarily left the article I was writing about free insurance quotes and did a quick research about coco sugar.

Here are some facts I have gathered about it:

• Coco sugar has a low Glycemic Index (GI) of 35. It's even lower than commercial honey and cane sugar.
• Coco sugar is high in Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Iron. It is also a natural source of Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, and Vitamin C.
• Coco sugar is all-natural and unbleached.

Aside from its nutritional benefits to diabetics, the use of coco sugar also benefits the local community that produces it. My email sender alone sources his coco sugar products from a small local community based in Agusan del Sur. He sells a 250-gram pack of coco sugar for 100 pesos which is 50% - 70% lower than those sold in health stores. Kindly send me an email to mail maureenflores com so I can share with you his contact details.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

I don't eat oatmeal especially when it's cooked as a porridge. The only time I eat oatmeal is when it's mixed in cookies or bread. Just yesterday, my boys craved for oatmeal and asked me to buy some flavored instant oatmeal packs from the supermarket. They ate oatmeal for two mornings now and I still haven't tried to eat some.

Oatmeal is a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. It helps cleanse the colon and works like most colon cleansing products. Eating oatmeal is also beneficial for those who want to lose weight. I guess I really need to find the will to start eating oatmeal regularly for my health.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

We don't even need the weather bureau to tell us that summer is officially here in the Philippines! I think the hot summer days are early this year, especially with the onset of the El Niño phenomenon. While it is but natural to worry about drought and the scarcity of water supply that is to come, it should also be natural for us to be concerned about our body's hydration during these times. A perfect way to keep hydrated this summer is by eating juicy summer fruits!

Summer fruits are harvested during the summer time. Obviously, they are nature's way of providing for us extra sources of water during the summer. Hydration during the summer months is very important to keep our bodies cool and to keep our skin moisturized. By the way, if you are prone to acne and your skin gets dry during the summer months, the chances of you getting ugly acne scars become bigger. Rather than saving up for acne scar removal treatments, head to the market and stock up on these summer fruits:

• Honeydews, Melons, and Watermelons - These fruits are watery and are the best ones to eat this summer. Expect them to be sweeter during this time of the year, too. 
• Mangoes and Papayas - They are rich in Vitamin C and potassium which makes them perfect for providing much needed energy and resistance against diseases.
• Pineapples - Pineapples are not only juicy sweet but are excellent sources of fiber as well. Our bodies need more fiber during the summer months to help in digestion.

So this summer, don't just think about the cool summer outfits that you'll get to wear on your trips to the beach. Don't forget to stock up on summer fruits, too.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Binalot and I go a long way back. I remember, the first time I had a banana-wrapped meal from this popular food chain was more than a decade ago. My dad was admitted at the old Medical City and he hated hospital food so we always had Binalot food delivered. It was unique, ingenious, and very Pinoy. Last February 10, 2010, I witnessed the other side of this "truly Pinoy" fast food restaurant as I was introduced to the company's DAHON Program.


Binalot started in 1996 as a small food delivery service. In a more than a decade of serving binalot (wrapped) meals, the small enterprise has already grown into a full-fledged fastfood restaurant and a Pinoy household name. Binalot also showcases Filipino creativity with its environmental-friendly and innovative banana leaf-wrapped meals and wittingly named menu. For instance, the ordinary-sounding fried tilapia and boneless bangus are called Pride Tilapia and No Bones Daing na Bangus respectively.

Binalot Fiesta Foods has also devoted itself in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which entails giving back something to the community. While most CSR endeavors focused in providing short-term community programs, Binalot took the giant leap (or Leaf of Faith as they say) and developed a highly sustainable program that provided benefits for both the company and the community as well. The said program is now known as DAHON (Dangal at Kabuhayan para sa Nayon) Program.

I was a part of a group of bloggers who were brought to Brgy. Buhanginan in Nagcarlan, Laguna where the DAHON Program started. Honestly, of all the blogger events I have attended, what I saw upon arriving at the site was so far the warmest welcome I have ever received. Kids from the Daycare Center, which is also supported by the program, greeted us with banners and wide smiles.


We were then introduced to the humble beginnings of the DAHON Program which started in 2007. After the country suffered from Bagyong Milenyo (Typhoon Xangsane) in 2006, Binalot found it hard to find inexpensive, yet, high quality sources of banana leaves which they formerly acquired from public markets and traders in Metro Manila. They decided to travel south and found Rodney in Brgy. Buhanginan.



Rodney is a former tambay (jobless) and it was pure luck on his part that he was sitting by the roadside when the Binalot team asked for a banana leaf supplier in the area. He did not think twice unlike the other two persons which the Binalot team has spoken to prior to their meeting. Rodney led them to his grandmother who was already selling banana leaves but at limited quantities. He related his surprise and excitement when Binalot placed a large order of banana leaves from them.








At present, Rodney serves as the coordinator of the program in their community. Together with Binalot, the DAHON Program provides regular jobs to the farmers in Brgy. Buhanginan who were then earning a living only from harvesting and selling fruits to Manila traders. The women and the elderly of the community are also given a chance to earn by being part of the production process.


Even the children of the community benefit from the program in terms of education. The DAHON program has helped renovate the community's daycare center and has introduced benefactors who regularly give financial support to the institution.

Aside from these efforts, the program has helped renovate the community chapel and has helped introduce livelihood skills like banana chip and banana ketchup production. The DAHON composting project is also underway which will maximize the use of the banana leaf trimmings.

For their efforts in initiating the DAHON Program, Binalot Fiesta Foods was awarded the 2007 UPS Centennial Award for Out of the Box Small Business Solutions. It also achieved the Anvil Merit Award in 2008.

Indeed, Binalot Fiesta Foods has touched more lives through the DAHON Program. The incredible "Leaf of Faith" is now reaping rewards not only for the company but for the community as well.

View more photos here


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Read More

Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa naka-imbento ng food delivery. Nitong nagdaang Byernes kasi ay ika-10 taong anibersaryo ng kasal namin ng aking kabiyak. Como nga ika-10 taon, nagplano naman ako ng munting salu-salo para sa aming pamilya. Nung una'y binalak namin na kumain sa labas at manood ng sine kasama ng aking anak at biyenan. Kaya nga lang, noong araw na iyon ay kinailangang pumasok ng aking asawa sa trabaho at ginabi na ng todo. Ang pagkain sa labas ay naging sa loob na lang ng bahay. At dahil nga hindi na ako nagluto ng hapunan dahil nga balak naming lumabas, nagpa-deliver na lang ako ng pizza, pasta, at chicken. Bumili naman ang aking kasambahay ng beer at vodka sa kalapit na grocery. Ayun, nakaraos din ang aming munting salu-salo. Nagustuhan pa ng lahat? Oo naman! At sa tingin ko'y mas naging masaya pa kaysa kung kami ay natuloy lumabas.

I am indebt to whoever invented food delivery. Last Friday was our 10th wedding anniversary and we were supposed to celebrate by having dinner in a restaurant and watching a movie. However, my husband had to go to work that day and had to stay late in the office. All our plans of going out were cancelled. I called a restaurant nearby and had pizza, pasta, and fried chicken delivered. My houseboy went to the supermarket nearby to buy a bottle of vodka and some cans of beer. We had dinner as soon as my husband arrived. Did everyone like our celebration? Yes, of course! And I think what we had was even merrier compared to what we could have had if our plan pushed through.

Read More