It's Christmas Time in the City

After all the quarantine hoops we had to go through, some of us are already thinking that Christmas season is going to be cancelled. Usually, once the "ber" months start, people get excited about the holidays and malls also start putting up decorations. 

Christmas trees and decor abound in the mall.

I checked out one of the biggest malls and checked to see for signs of the Christmas spirit. I'm happy to report that the holiday spirit is still alive and well.

Vegan Baked Goods from Vegan Bakes for the Animals and the Planet

Eating plant-based can be a bit of a challenge if your someone like me, who enjoys their breads, donuts and muffins. I have tried baking my own muffins and it was a satisfactory experience. However, baking bread is another story. I don't really have the patience to do all the kneading and waiting. Luckily, I found a tasty solution to my problem.

Vegan Asado Bun and Vegan Ube Pandesal with Cashew and Soy Filling

I found Vegan Bakes for the Animals and the Planet and ordered some of their baked goods right away. They don't make and sell just breads, they have muffins, crinkles and donuts too.

The Spirit Conference International 2020

If you've been feeling down lately, you are not alone. While some of us are okay with coffee as a pick-me-upper, others feel an even deeper feeling of something lacking not just in their systems, but in their lives. During this time where we are all unable to make physical connections; it is time to enhance our inner sense of connection instead.

Source: Spirit Conference International Website

The Spirit Conference was first held in 2017. This year, the theme of the conference is "Remembering the Spirit". It is a timely and much-needed educational event to help us re-establish our sense of connection to our inner selves and to the greater community, that is humanity, and each being on this planet.

Handy-Dandy Notebooks

I always have notebooks at home. I like collecting different kinds of notebooks; different sizes, different paper, different texture, dotted pages, grid pages, blank pages, regular lined pages. Stationeries were what I collected when I was younger; but now, notebooks fascinate me.

Same notebook, different covers.

They fascinate me but I'm not obsessed with them. I don't always carry them in my bag ,for example. For a while, I had them stashed away, unused. I use a keyboard to write for work most of the time and there are many applications online that you can use to save your notes.

Healthy Veggie Bowls from 24/7 Super Healthy

Most people have been leveling up their cooking skills this quarantine period. I have been trying to cook new dishes too. However, there are some days when I've been too exhausted to even think of what to cook. Thankfully, there are online stores where I can order some healthy grub without ruining my budget. 24/7 Super Healthy is one such discovery. 

Veggie Nuggets Bowl from 24/7 Super Healthy.

Most online food places offer meat dishes so I was glad to find one that has plant-based options on their menu. I ordered 3 of their veggie bowls to maximize my delivery fee and just reheated them when I was ready to eat.

Vegan Spam Musubi and Milk Tea from MaxTeaPH

I'm not counting the days in quarantine anymore but I am counting the many times I have had to suffer from not being able to satisfy my food cravings. Luckily, online vendors are available to rescue us from our food craving woes. You just have to be diligent in searching for them online.

Vegan Spam Musubi with Black Rice from MaxTeaPH.

Vegan spam musubi is one such craving that is rather hard to find even in restaurants. But an online search yielded MaxTeaPH offering this delicacy as well as milk tea with non-dairy milk options.

All Natural Beauty Finds at Thea Botanicals PH

One of the things I miss when going out is checking out the bazaars in malls and parks. Bazaars are usually alive in malls during weekends and on special occasions. That's where I find natural and organic beauty products too. Thea Botanicals PH is one bazaar find that really delighted me with their wide array of beauty products. They come in cute packaging too!

Lip & Cheek Tint from Thea Botanicals PH.

Beauty products in cute packages can sometimes bring out the girly side of me. More so if they have natural ingredients. Luckily, this local brand offers just that.

Vegan Froyo from Mahalo Acai

Being stuck indoors has given me a lot of time to reorganize my home and even my files. This unearthed a lot of files, especially pictures, that bring back memories. One such memory is my trip to Mahalo Acai with a friend.

Facade of Mahalo Acai

We took a walk and visited the place to get a taste of their vegan froyo. Our little exercise made enjoying their treats even more worthwhile - it felt like a reward!

Longing for The Outdoors

It's been 4 months since I last went out to work in the office or to eat at a restaurant with friends. Many of us are longing to spend time outdoors again. Travel is not an option at the moment and meeting up with friends is not viable either. 

Nostalgic View

Virtual meetings are a blessing but there is something missing in these meetings since participants are unable to actually interact physically. As that is not possible now, all we can do is reminisce memories of scenes outside that we usually take for granted. 

H-Art Space: Art Therapy for Inner Healing

A lot has happened this year and while I'm stuck at home, let me recall some memorable events from the past 6 months. One of them is the Love @ HArt Opening Party for the HArt Space Center organized by the Philippine Academy of Intuitives (PAInt).

Tiger - one of Maya's latest art work.  |  Source: Maya

The party itself was quite festive but the highlight of the event was the art therapy session conducted by Maya Banawa who owns H-Art Space. Maya provides art therapy sessions for kids and adults alike. You can book a session with her individually or as a group too. You don't need to be good at drawing or painting and she provides all the art materials for each session. You only need to bring yourself, open your mind and heart, be in the moment and let Maya guide you through the process.

Confusing the Signs: What's Really My Zodiac Sign?

Hello blogosphere! Hello once again that is. A couple of years have passed by since my last post here. More than a couple of things have happened which changed my life drastically. That really kept me busy and unable to update this poor blog of mine. But this quarantine period has given me plenty of time to reflect on many things; one of which is to start writing here again.

I post anew with a very (not really) controversial issue that recently came to light (in my eyes at least).

Source: CNN

This pandemic has forced everyone to reevaluate their lives. While we are in the middle of trying to adapt to the planet-wide changes in our daily routines and trying to figure out how to make do and eventually rebuild, our health care and economic systems (to name just the most critical ones at the moment); a cosmological event had occurred which has been ignored for so long.

Zoomanity Group Supports the Polytechnic University of the Philippines

For this February 2018 to March 2018, different activities will be held at Bulwagang Balagtas inside Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila which are organised by the different departments.

Zoomanity Group supports PUP.

Zoomanity Group will join and support these activities starts on February 26, 2018 to March 2018 as Co- Presenters or Major sponsor.  This is to show support to these students who are the future since they believe that education is still the key to succeed.

A Week's Worth (or More) of Vegan Bento Creations

Japan's bento culture has always fascinated me. I love the creativity put into it but I know it will take a lot of effort especially if you're a beginner. I have experimented a lot with making my own bento before but deciding what food items to prepare and put on my bento still boggles my brain. But practice makes perfect so here is a glimpse at some of my attempts.

When staying at home, I use different sized bowls for my food items. 

Take note that I veganized my food items and also bought some ready-to-cook vegan meat alternatives to go with my veggie food items. So these are all vegan bento creations. I did not create them all in one week but I picked my favorites to share with you.

Back to Basics with Zero Basics

In my quest to transition to a healthier lifestyle I continue to be on the lookout for products that are organic, less toxic to my body as well as to the environment and affordable as well. That’s why I made it a point to attend the VegFest Pilipinas 2017 event to get vegan products and eat vegan food too.

My newest personal care basics from Zero Basics.

One of the vendors that I had my eye on was Zero Basics and I particularly wanted to try out their deodorant and their toothpaste and tooth powder. I am glad that I did because I am loving them! I have tried out other products and I was disappointed but these exceeded expectations.

I Went Vegan for a Month and Here's What Happened

Wanting to start the year right is always part of our goals when January turns around. Having positive thoughts and maintaining a positive outlook is also one of my goals for this new year. This is why I am sharing here a positive experience I had a few years back. I decided to switch to eating vegan and I did it cold turkey.

I started a vegan diet cold turkey and I'm still loving it.

I had started researching about healthy eating when my grandmother started getting sick. I particularly looked for articles which offered information on how to reverse diseases and this is how I came to know more about vegetarian and vegan eating.

Enjoy The Total Events Package at Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex

There are few party venues in the metro that serve as a one stop shop for all of a client's needs. Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex is one of these and has been providing all of their clients' needs for their different events. In fact, they have hosted several events even before their grand launch last November 21, 2017 including corporate events, debuts, weddings, anniversary celebrations and baptisms.

The main stage at the Alegria and Hermosa Function Rooms

The complex covers 2 floors for different venue requirements. We took a tour around the facilities before the grand launch at the grand ballroom on the 2nd floor.

Vegan Shopping, Food & Learning at VegFest Pilipinas 2017

I attended the recent VegFest Pilipinas 2017 at Eastwood last Saturday. The event in Eastwood lasted for 2 days and although I went there only on the first day, I must say that I am excited for this event to happen again.

The stage and the eating area with the vegan vendors on the side at VegFest Pilipinas 2017, Eastwood.

The first VegFest happened last year and I was overwhelmed will all the vegan products available but my wallet was not prepared for all the things I wanted to buy. This time around, I attended the event with specific goals in mind.

Have a Whimsical Holiday Spectacle at Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights

'Tis the season to celebrate but if you find that you are lacking in your usual holiday spirit, then head out to Nuvali to experience a bit of magic and whimsy. It's also a good excuse to escape the traffic of the city. Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights will actually light up your night in different colors with accompanying musical cheer.

Nothing inter galactic happening here. Just an award-winning light show.

Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights was launched last year. It's the first ever lights and sound show in the country that utilizes an open grass field; an actual football field which is also named The Field in the middle of Nuvali's 2,290 hectares.

SEAOIL Offers Lifetime Supply of Fuel to Lucky Motorists

SEAOIL, the country’s largest independent fuel player, has launched the first raffle promo of its kind in the Philippines that will be giving four lucky motorists their lifetime supply of SEAOIL fuels.

SEAOIL president for retail business and CFO Mark Yu with SEAOIL senior manager for marketing communications
Rey Jimenez during the media launch of SEAOIL's “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo at
The Wellington Centre 32nd & 4th, Bonifacio Global City

“We have always stood by the quality and performance of SEAOIL fuels and this is our way of thanking our loyal customers, whom we call SEAOIL Believers, for the trust they have placed in us,” said SEAOIL CEO Glenn Yu.

Vegetarian / Vegan Find: A Healthier Choice at Hap Chan Tea House

Based on experience, the challenge of sticking to a meat-free diet becomes even more difficult when you go out of familiar surroundings.

Chop Suey Guisado Rice Topping on Hap Chan's menu.

The most convenient option is to go into a restaurant and request for vegetarian and vegan options or ask them to veganize your order. Not all restaurants would fulfill this request but I was lucky that Hap Chan Tea House in Eton Centris accommodated me.