CONTROL: My Secret Addiction

Ok, fine… I ADMIT.

I'm a coffee addict. Like most of you, I cannot survive my day without at least a cup of coffee.

I get grumpy whenever I do not get my caffeine fix. I've always heard about the negative side effects of coffee but I comfort myself by saying that these studies have never been proven. Plus, there are benefits to drinking coffee, right?

Coffee tasting at the office

But I've finally taken the plunge and did my research on the negative side effects of coffee. I am finally convinced that my recent acne problem is caused by my 7 years of excessive coffee intake. Therefore, I am finally going on a coffee cleanse (and hopefully it will last this time) to personally test whether acne and coffee are related.

Here is an interesting article on coffee and acne: 

http://www.clearskinforever.net/coffee-acne-does-coffee-trigger-acne/

Wish me luck! COFFEE, I WILL MISS YOU: the alertness you give me after every sip, the way you wake me up in the morning, your delicious taste, your addictive personality and that warm fuzzy feeling I get every time I drink you :(

Here are some of my captured moments with coffee

Urban Bakery, HK

Refinery, Manila

Floral Coffee at Chartes, Shanghai

12 hour cold brew, Yardstick Manila

Matchstick Coffee Roasters, Vancouver

 Coffee en route to Austria

 49th Parallel Coffee, Vancouver

Bearpond Express, Tokyo

 Cafe Dan, Shanghai

EDSA, Manila

And of course we all went through that phase when we thought Starbuck's was the coolest thing ever.

Having Starbuck's at YVR airport

INDULGE: Mancakes

Ever wondered what kind of cupcakes to give to a guy A.K.A someone who is not a sweet tooth? Don't fret… the MANCAKES are here! These Maple Bacon Bourbon Cupcakes are a perfect combination of sweet and savoury. Plus, who doesn't love bacon and beer? Today, forget about the diet and indulge! Everyone deserves a break anyway ;)

1. Bourbon Cupcake
2. 3 Cups All Purpose Flour (sifted)
3. 4 tsp Baking Powder (sifted)
4. 1/2 Cup Salted Butter 
5. 2 Cups Sugar
6. 4 Eggs 
7. 6 Tb Whole Milk
8. 18 Tb Bourbon Whiskey
9. 
   
10. (Yields 24 Cupcakes)

Before you start, ensure that your ingredients are in room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350F.

Whisk the butter for 30 seconds. Add in the sugar and continue to mix until it turns pale yellow. Add in the eggs one by one and continue to mix in high speed. Add the milk and whiskey into the mixture. Continue to mix.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients (all purpose flour + baking powder). Then add the dry ingredients into the mixture. Continue to mix until the dry ingredients have been fully incorporated.

Using a spoon, place the mixture into your cupcakes cups. Remember to fill cups 3/4 full as the cupcakes will rise when heated.

Bake for 20minutes. Tip: To check if the cupcakes are ready, stick a toothpick into the cupcake. There should not be any material that sticks to the toothpick.

Icing

3 cups confectionary sugar

1 cup butter

2 tbsp maple syrup

Cream the butter for about 3 minutes at high speed. When the butter turns pale yellow, change the speed to low and add the confectionary sugar in parts. Once confectionary sugar is incorporated, beat at high speed. Add maple syrup and continue to beat at high speed. Place frosting in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before frosting.

Maple Bacon

Brush the bacon with maple syrup (I used pancetta for this recipe). Bake in oven at 350F for about 10-15mins per side. Place on a wire rack for about 5 minutes to cool. Don't be shy to make as much as you want. You can add these baked maple bacon to anything - ice cream for when you indulge or to you salad when you are trying to control.

Remember, your creativity is the only thing that is stopping you!

CONTROL: Salad Creations

I've been trying to shed the weight I've gained over the last two months from eating out so I've decided to start my journey to healthier eating once again. I've jumpstarted my diet by increasing my veggie intake. If you are not a fan of salad like me you can try incorporating fruits and some meat to make the flavours more interesting. I find that the addition of fruits gives the the salad a great crunch and juiciness; plus, it's perfect for the hot Manila weather.

  

Watermelon + Beef Salad

 

 Maple Bacon Salad with Apples + Grapes version 1

 Maple Bacon Salad with Apples + Grapes version 2

You can throw in any green leafy veggie (I used organic arugula, mesclun salad, organic alfalfa sprouts) and fruits (I used watermelon with the beef and apples + grapes for the maple bacon salad). You can be as creative as you like. Just remember to play with different textures and flavours!

Dressing:

whole grain dijon mustard

dijon mustard
raw honey
sesame oil
chopped garlic

Happy eating!

OH MY, ANOTHER BLOGGER???

Do you ever feel guilty for eating too much or ingesting bad calories? Don't feel ashamed… you are not alone.
Everyday I have an internal debate on whether to stick to my diet or indulge on food - especially sweets and pastries. Obviously, my love for eating trumps everything; I deal with the consequences of my actions later. This blog is dedicated to this constant battle I have daily.

A blog about my food diaries when I indulge on calories versus when I control, excercise and eat healthy.
Here's to hoping more people will stop feeling guilty for eating. Don't feel bad for taking a bite of that intoxicatingly sweet cupcake or that deliciously hot lechon. It's okay to enjoy eating. Just remember: BALANCE IS KEY. Portion your meals, offset the bad with good calories, exercise and embrace a healthier balanced lifestyle.