My Five Days Balanced Plan Meals with Dear Diet!

Last year, I took the challenge of a one-month low-carb diet with my daily lifestyle. It changed my perspective on being healthy, and I learned a lot from the experience.

 

This time around, I re-examined my eating habits with a test. When I was given a chance last August to try five days of Balanced plan meals with Dear Diet, I was excited and worried. I even told my officemates about it, and one even commented that I am already thin, so I don't need it. But, I love challenging myself, so let's get it on!

First day (August 1)

Breakfast: Frittata Cups and Ciabatta Roll w/ Pimiento Spread

Lunch: Lasagna

Snack: Homemade Ferrero Rocher

Dinner: Flatbread Pizza Margherita

 

Thoughts: 

I really commended their lasagna! It was absolutely delicious! One of the best I've eaten! I'm not a fan of Ferrero, but the homemade Ferrero Rocher was unreal! I liked it! 

 

Second day (August 2)

Breakfast: Liege Waffles and Fruits 

Lunch: Belgian Beef Stew 

Snack: Speculaas Cookies

Dinner: Shrimp Croquettes with Potato Fries and Salad

 

Thoughts: 

I was definitely surprised that there was brown rice! Like when I did the Low Carb, no rice at all. The Speculaas Cookies were so good, I wanted to have a bite again. 

 

Third day (August 3)

Breakfast: Singaporean Kaya Toast and Egg 

Lunch: Chinese Roast Pork Belly

Snack: Red Bean Mochi

Dinner: Hainanese Chicken Rice

 

Thoughts: 

I had two rice meals and they were alright. My favorite, though, was the Red Bean Mochi! I was addicted to it! 

 

Fourth day (August 4)

Breakfast: Pretzel and Bratwurst

Lunch: Chicken Schnitzel and Rice Pilaf 

Snack: Lemon Soufflé 

Dinner: Swedish Meatballs and Pasta

 

Thoughts: 

I had a good time with the variations of meals for that day. Probably the one that I liked the best was the Chicken Schnitzel. 

 

Fifth day (August 5)

Breakfast: The Daily Oats' Blueberry Vanilla Pistachio Cheesecake 

Lunch: Coq Au Vin

Snack: Cream Puffs

Dinner: Salad Nicose Puff Sandwich 

 

Thoughts: 

For the last day of the Balanced Plan meals, the most exciting thing for me to try was the Daily Oats because of how colorful they are. I didn't even want to taste them. Yet the winner for me was the Coq Au Vin. The name might be hard to pronounce, but the dish was easy to satisfy my taste buds. 

 

Outcome and Verdict: 

The most challenging part for me of having Balanced Plan meals was not the portion of food being prepared but rather the time of delivering the meals per day. I struggled to wake up at 5 to 6 am, especially on my rest days. Yet, I was grateful to Kuya, who called me up when he arrived in front of our gate and waited for me to get the deliveries. 

 

I learned that you can eat rice (brown and red) even if you are on a balanced meal plan. As you remember, rice was a no-no during my low-carb month. 

 

It was a short but great experience and I would definitely do the Balanced Plan Meals again, perhaps even longer because Dear Diet has different variations every week. Go check out their social media pages and try it for yourself! 

MIBF: Yes it was back for 2022!

The Manila International Book Fair has always been a favorite event of collectors, hoarders, readers, and authors. 

I was over the moon when it was announced that the biggest book event in the country was back after being absent for two years. Yay!

 

It took place from September 15 to 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. I went there on the last day, Sunday because we had a book signing and meet and greet for TBC Publications. 

My solo books were there, and though we didn't own our booth, we were glad we shared it with other independent publishing houses. 

Thank you to the National Book Development Board and The Indie Publishers Collab Ph for the lovely Indie Village area.

 

It was my first time going to an event early, like 8 a.m., because I helped my good friend and TBC's founder, Jahric, with the set-up for the said event. It was my first time too that I didn't print a ticket but had this amazing souvenir. 

Hey exhibitor! :) 

I also decided not to line up for this year's book signing for known authors.  Instead, I focused on catching up with my fellow authors, meeting new friends, and just visiting the booths.

Cute children on the stage!

Love this creative wallpaper, Summit!

Instant prize!

The National Bookstore and Fullybooked, two famous bookshops that usually occupied big areas, were not present, and many people were disappointed not to see them. But for me, it was alright because the less popular publishing houses were given a chance to introduce their books and materials to a larger audience.

 

I had so much fun with MIBF2022 because I really got to see my author friends, which I missed a lot, and meet unexpected people who bought my novels (genuinely grateful). 

Lea who came all the way from Cebu!

Finally, we met Zandro!

Lady Boss Cindy nice to see you again!

I signed some stuff and purchased a few books and things. 

Miss Marianne of Shelf Esteem bought my book, thank you!

Thank you Ryan for buying my books!

Nice to meet fellow KinnPorsche fans, Aki and DL!

 MIBF haul! I'm very behaving!

Thank you for returning, MIBF, and see you next year! Congratulations on a successful four-day event!

Hello Emergency Declaration, we meet again Advanced Screening!

It's been two years since I last attended an advanced movie screening. I still remember it because it was a week before the Enhanced Community Quarantine was implemented and everyone got scared of CoVid news. Bloodshot was the last film that I watched on the big screen.

That's why when I saw that 99.5 Play FM's Screenplay was back, I was excited and I couldn't help but join the giveaway for free movie tickets! And the first stop was the Emergency Declaration.

Two reasons why I was eager to see this Korean disaster-action movie: first, I was hooked on the trailer when it was out earlier this year, and the casting was superb! 

I was ready to jump to the moon when I was chosen as the winner of their morning show giveaway. Yay! Thank you, DJ Stan, Jazz, Play FM, fake news, and hotdog museum!

The advanced screening was held last August 26 at Cinema 3 in Robinson's Galleria, where Viva International Pictures was the official distributor. 

The movie ticket looked like a boarding pass! Nice!

Yours truly and my companion were asked to have a photo taken by the Kuya photographer before the movie started. 

Huli cam! Hahaha...

I will not spoil what the film was about and what happened, but rather I will focus on each actor who played a major key to the success of the heart-stopping Emergency Declaration.

*Song Kang-ho: He played a sergeant here. 

Photo from https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/

As a detective, he portrayed more than I expected.  He was very smart and persistent. I applauded him for his unforgettable sacrifice.

*Lee Byung-hun: He was one of the passengers. 

Photo from https://epicstream.com/

He has a good backstory, and I was truly satisfied with what he did towards the end. Hands down, the enormous responsibility and quick thinking! 

*Jeon Do-yeon: Minister Sook-hee

Photo from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/

She was the one who was given the hardest decision-making and yet, she made a quick response with flying colors!

*Kim So-jin: She was probably the head of the Flight Attendants.

Photo from https://en.yna.co.kr/

I liked her and how collected she was during the turbulence and the situation should be what a flight attendant is.

*Park hae-joon: Tae-su, the Crisis Management director

Photo from https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/

He was there all the time when the disaster and decision-making were in progress, yet his character was lackluster. I felt disappointed because I know this actor is very talented.

*Im Siwan: He was one of the passengers.

Photo from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/

I honestly heard about Siwan because he is very popular, but it was my first time seeing him act. And, oh boy! He was totally an amazing actor, especially since he did so well with his character! 

*Kim Nam-gil: He was one of the pilots.

Photo from https://www.thairath.co.th/

I would be very biased, but I am really a fan of Nam-gil, and witnessing him as a pilot was one for the books!

Verdict: 

Photo from https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/

As a travel enthusiast who rides airplanes, this movie definitely hit a spot for me. I admired flight attendants and pilots more because of how hard they needed to make quick decisions for their passengers. They always decide for the betterment and safety of most people. And the government doesn't have the power to change the pilot's final resolve.

There is more than a disaster story with the Emergency Declaration and you should definitely unravel it on August 31! Go see it for yourself!