10/1/08 - 11/1/08 - Shen's Addiction

Disclaimer: I am not in any way a professional chef nor do I claim to be an expert in anything about food. I am not good at describing food nor the taste. I am just sharing my two pennies about it. :)

Kakain or in english tidbits or sweetmeats are something I can never get tired of. Eating kakanin will always remind me of childhood memories when after a siesta, me and the cousins will all go down to the kitchen for our merienda(afternoon snacks). Although we enjoy American snacks such as pizza, sandwich and the likes.. those that are unforgettable are the times we ate Filipino delicacies. Oftentimes this will come from our neighborhood baker but some will come from provinces that makes the best delicacies. Two of which you will see below, just transported me back to my childhood years.

Nana Meng Tsokolate
photo credit to Nana Meng website

On my way to Food Choices of Glorietta, I suddenly passed by this small kiosk of Tsokolate(chocolate). I've never seen this before or probably not as appreciative as i am know to even notice it, but the kakanin on display caught my eyes. Tsokolate boast of its filipino-spanish style of preparing hot chocolate. They sell them in packs and jars so that you can enjoy Nana Meng's Famous Hot Chocolate.

But the lazy in me, didn't get what Nana Meng was famous for. Rather I immediately bought two of the famous kakanin that usually accompanies hot chocolate, the Cassava Leche Flan and Bibingka Malagkit. These two delicacies are quite famous in town fiestas and family celebrations. Most likely, if there is a party there will be one or the other or both. I use to remember that when we visit the provinces we will always buy foods like these as pasalubong to our families (but we end up eating some of it on the way. lol.).

The Cassava Leche Flan is something that a lot of adults can enjoy. It's not too achingly sweet and has a nice bite to it. You can eat this with a sweet drink like hot chocolate, ice tea or soda to balance out the flavor. While bibingka maligkit is sweet to the taste and you'll probably get some stucked on your teeth. I would always scrape off the top portion of the cake that tastes of caramelized sugar and coconut (think sticky macaroons). Yum!!

Cassava Leche Flan (Cassava Cake with Custard on top)

Bibingka Malagkit (Glutinous Rice Cakes)
Filipino's version of brownies! minus the chocolate but still as sweet and sinful! :)

Filipino delicacies usually comprise of ingredients easily grown and are usually made from scratch. Making these takes the whole member of the family. In the old days, the men would gather the needed ingredients like climbing the coconut tree and gathering crops. While the women will cook them. That was when things were simpler.

Unfortunately, my busy schedule can't have me baking and shaking around the kitchen much less visit the grocery. I'm quite thankful that Nana Meng's has a several stores in the metro to provide me with a little something from back in the days. These, after all, are my true comfort food.

I can't say enough how proud I am of my culture, especially when it comes to the gastronomic part. :)

To my Pinay readers, when was the last time you ate these two filipino desserts?

To my international readers, have you tried this or enjoyed somethign similar to the Cassava Leche Flan or Bibingka Malagkit?

much love,

see more at Nana Meng's online site. Click Here.

Beauty Bloggers who enjoy food and blog about it, check out:

Pass the Sauce
Askmewhats
Ahleessa for Realz

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After a home waxing blunder before, I swore off hair waxing at the comfort of my home! I won't bore you with the details but it was embarrassing. But, last weekend, I saw this booth at a bazaar that totally made me re-think my decision.

Strip It Hair Removal Cold Wax

“ STRIP IT cold wax " The BEST and easiest method in getting rid of unwanted hair.
Comes ready to use! No heating required!

It is made from natural ingredients so it's safe to use on your entire body including face, upper lip, underarms and bikini area.
It gives silky smooth results that lasts much longer than shaving or depilatory creams, because hair is removed from the roots. It takes 2-4 weeks for hair to grow back and the new hair will be finer and your skin won't feel itchy.
The best part about "Strip it" is that, it's less painful compared to other waxes. It doesn't adhere to the skin and its water soluble.

Now you can wax yourself and won't have to go to the salon. If you are prone to shaving in times of emergency, once you learn how use "Strip it" you won't touch a razor ever again!

The Cold Wax and price caught my attention. I availed their trial kit (Php160.00), consisting of the 150grams of Cold Wax, 10 Strips of cloth (reusable) and spatula(like the once the doctor uses) plus instructions (detailed). This kit is enough to last me a few months.

The Strip It Hair Removal Cold Wax is very easy to use. I was only able to use 3 strips of cloth to remove the unwanted hairs on a certain part of my body. It's not painful as I expected. There were a few hairs left but those I just plucked since it was just a tad few. My skin didn't itch or become splotchy with red marks because all the ingredients used were natural, sugar and honey. TaskThere was a bit redness but it was gone after an hour or so.

I'm loving it, really. Maybe because I'm quite familiar with the technique of waxing (i've been getting waxed since HS and familiar with all kinds of wax hair removal). So, i basically know how to go about a blissful waxing. Belive me when I say that it is not painless, it will sting. But the beauty in Strip It is, you can scream all you like because you are at the privacy of your own room/bathroom. The maintance of the cloth and spatula are easy since the wax is water soluble. So, I just leave them in a small basin. After the wax is dissolve, I just hang my cloth and spatula to dry.

For beginners, I do suggest you get yourself waxed first at a reputable waxing salon to see how to go about waxing, ask them questions, research online and do read the instructions provided for you by Strip It. Nevertheless, this is a Cold Wax so no risk of burning yourself.

Taking pain killers before waxing: I've heard, people who have low pain threshold, that taking a pain reliever an hour or two before waxing reduces the pain. Please note that this is not confirmed though. I just know a few people who does this when they got their brazilian wax.

Tips:
1. Dip half of the Wax Container in a bowl of hot water and let it sit. This will make your cold wax, well, not so cold.This will make it more pliable to apply and not too sticky that it will pull your hair during application of the wax alone.
2. Use thinner cotton cloth (easily available at any fabric store), for thinner hairs like your arms and legs.
3. There will be residue after you wax. Don't wash it off with plain water, get a towellete and dip it in warm water (not hot, just a bit warm but not lukewarm), then softly remove the excess wax with the soaked cloth on the part your just waxed. Don't drag your skin. The warm water will dissolve the excess wax while the cloth will lift it up your skin.
4. Since your pores are open, try not to apply any kind of product that may clog it - makeup, foundation.
5. Exfoliate before waxing to remove deadskin that can make waxing difficult and icky.
6. Moisturize after waxing to replenish your skin and to keep it soft and supple.
7. I highly suggest bathing first before undergoing any waxing.
8. Wax with a friend! :) To those hard to reach places, another set of hands is always a good thing. :)

Boy, I'm glad to save money on waxing.

I can't wait for the end of finals so I can have a spa day with my mom! :)

I'm getting some sun this semestral break and I'm looking forward to a clear smooth stems and arms for beach! :)

Before I forget, this is Philippine made product! Made by a Pinay! :)

So, have you tried home waxing treatments?

much love,

Strip It Cold Wax is available at Strip It online shop.

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The day was long, hot and humid. Its the first day of a long finals weeks for me. I am cramming my a$ off with requirements that needs to pass especially those done with groups. I haven't been spending so much time blogging because since this Thursday, i lost my will... drive to do anything. I haven't been allocating enough time for my studies as i should have and have been completely distracted with doing something else. Irresponsible, yes... but never something i could regret about.

Since yesterday(friday here in Manila), i have expressed to my parents my intention to quit law school altogether. I have been contemplating this for months (actually since last year) but the coward that I am refuses to be honest with her. What did the mother earth (what i call my mom) say? She got mad of course saying all sorts of things, I cried (like a colic baby) trying to explain her how I am about to go on with my lifes sans law school.

Well, to put it bluntly... my mom is one heck of a bully. She can make you do anything and make you think its your idea to begin with. So, today (saturday) she talked me into accepting my fate. That I am a law student(and going to be a lawyer*rolls eyes*) and nothing can stand in the way of that... even me. The fact that she knows i am unhappy with studying(law) undettered her. Sad, I know.

A lot of people said that I should do whatever makes me happy and that my mom will understand. Apparently, It's not that easy and even if its hard to obtain it, I am stopped from doing anything about it. My mom understanding my predicament is nevertheless useless since she will not make me quit. She after all have my best interest and would only do what will secure me a great future.

I have never relied so much on the saying "Mother's Knows Best" until now.

-The Confession of the Exhausted, Tired, Troubled, Confused and Unhappy So-called Law Student.

I will apprecite your comments on this but please regulate it (no bashing of the people involve, race, culture or my opinion.)

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