Piathought: Food

Are you also fond of taking pictures of your meal before you eat but doesn't know where to exactly post them? Well thank goodness Zomato is now here!

Zomato is a user-friendly website/app which aims to help us find the best restaurants nearby, see detailed restaurant info and thousands of scanned menus, and help us create our own food diary!

Zomato was founded out of a living room in New Delhi in July 2008. Now, Zomato has 750 people across 18 countries, representing 25 nationalities with over 313,700 restaurants listed, with more being added everyday.

As one of my favorite websites/apps as of the moment, I listed down my top three things I love about Zomato.

1. New Logo

A few months back, Zomato unveiled its new logo and rebranding. What I love most about its logo is its simplicity yet straightforward logo explanation - fork strategically connected to a heart which means love for food.

This logo transcends languages and cultures. It captures the story of millions of meals and experiences being shared with a vast global community of people. The story of “people and food”.

It signifies our connection with those who share our passion for food. People who love, and live, to eat. The ones who diligently chronicle their food experiences so that others are able to make better choices. Because people who love to eat are always the best people. - Founder & CEO Deepinder Goyal.

2. Website/App

Together with Zomato's new logo, I am also attracted to its clean website and app. Its simplicity, consistent data, structured restaurant information are all user-friendly that I, as an everyday user, definitely love.

3. People

I still remember the very first time I stumbled upon Zomato's website. My boyfriend and I wanted to eat at Vikings MOA for his birthday and I googled for reviews for the place. As I scrolled down, I saw Zomato's name and immediately clicked on it. I was impressed with the overall look and feel of the website so I immediately signed up and started scrutinizing the place.

After my first review, I immediately received a warm welcome message from Anton Ojeda, ZomatoPH Country Manager. At first, I thought it's just a joke, but yeah. It's real! Haha. I felt really welcomed and at home.

He then introduced me to Elaine Taningco, ZomatoPH Community Manager. This pretty woman invited me for a lunch date on a nearby restaurant and introduced interesting facts about Zomato; its colorful history, fast growing present, and promising future. She is very enthusiastic about her job and her love for Zomato is just so clear.

I have also met other Zomans on my very first foodie meet up at Zhu Kitchen. I can say that they are really very approachable, enthusiastic, and happy people. They have this energy towards their job which is clearly seen by their attitude towards us.

I can say that Zomato really knows how to choose their employees as I feel that they have one thing in common: passion for their respective job.

My first foodie meet up at Zhu Kitchen

Oh! One thing I love here at Zomato as well is its widget that we can embed on our posts and websites! Check out mine below!

As Founder & CEO Deepinder Goyal said, "Our world has been, and will continue to be, built around conversations over great meals. History, whenever written, has always begun with a toast, followed by a feast."

12/17/2014 No comments

11/24/2014 1 comments

One thing that I want to tick-off my bucket list is my family's grand vacation in Paris -- I imagine me, my boyfriend and my Mom visiting the City of Love’s famous La Tour Eiffel, taking hundreds of pictures while roaming around the picturesque city, and capping off the night with a sweet dinner date in a quaint French restaurant.

Ahhh. Can you imagine it? So romantic. Makes me wanna cry. Bahaha!

Fortunately, Cadbury Dairy Milk limited edition of new flavors are now introduced! Excited to know these new flavors? Let me first talk about Cadbury Dairy Milk.

Cadbury Dairy Milk is the smooth and creamy chocolate that gives you sweet endings – either when enjoying it alone or with your friends. Sweet endings mean savoring the good things in life, including a bar of this smooth and creamy chocolate!

Now we can have our very own sweet ending in Paris while enjoying the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Flavors: French Vanilla and Chocolate Mousse.

Our sweet endings just got more luxurious with these two new Cadbury Dairy Milk flavors: French Vanilla and Chocolate Mousse. I feel like I'm in a trip to the romantic and fashionable Paris, France every time I bite into these two new flavors.

While I enjoy savoring the sweet taste of these two new Cadbury Dairy Milk flavors, I am very proud to say that my barkada familia is a #TeamFrenchVanilla!

And because we are still on the process of figuring out how to go there, we are practicing it now! Haha!

Here's our Paris inspired picture, enjoying the light exquisite taste of Vanilla cream-filled chocolate with the new Cadbury Dairy Milk French Vanilla. I can just imagine me and my boyfriend sitting in view of the Eiffel Tower while savoring this delicious treat! Imagining myself seating in a quaint café while enjoying the sites and this new flavor.

Wanna try these? Hurry now and indulge yourself in Cadbury Dairy Milk French Vanilla and Chocolate Mousse! These are available beginning November 2014 in the big and satisfying 180g pack for an SRP of only P180.00.

Hurry though because these delectable sweet endings are yours for a limited time only. May you have sweet endings with Cadbury Dairy Milk too!

Want to enjoy your sweet endings? Like Cadbury on Facebook or follow them on Instagram!

Special thanks to Nuffnang Philippines!

11/11/2014 No comments

I am never a fan of Chinese dishes. As much as possible I go with the usual Filipino food and try to avoid Chinese restaurants thinking that I will not enjoy the food. Having the usual Filipino taste buds, I am not into noodles, dimsums and all -- but, Zhu Kitchen changed and reversed the whole idea! Craving for dimsums now!

Last October 29, 2014, I was invited for a dinner date with the Zomato team (or Zomans -- that's what Zomato's cheerful employees call themselves. I know it's cool! Haha) and other fellow foodies at Zhu Kitchen located at BGC, Taguig.

The Foodies, Zomans and Chef Karl Kaw!

Our call time was 6:30 in the evening and because I was so excited since it is my first foodie adventure with the Zomans, I was able to arrive before the desired time. Luckily, I got to know Chef Gervin Karl Kaw, the owner and Master Chef of Zhu Kitchen. And I tell you, he is one great conversationalist! We had a chitchat for a couple of minutes and learned so much on that short span of time! Was surprised to know as well that he is the best friend of Frederick D. Go, the CEO of my former employer, Robinsons Land Corporation. Uh-Oh. Haha.

Brave enough to take a pic with this 6'3" guy! I looked like a dwarf here. Haha!

We chatted for almost 20 minutes and as much as I want to share it with you guys, I don't want this post to be super long! I'm thinking to invite him over coffee and do a one-on-one interview with him. He has this very interesting past, and a wonderful present with family (a beautiful wife and lovely children) and a fascinating future. And as per him, he is a solid Christian.

ZHU KITCHEN

Zhu Kitchen is pronounced as "Chu Kitchen". As explained by Chef Kaw, it is named after her grandmother "Zhu" who was known to be a great cook. He also explained how her grandmother taught him to love his employees and how that helped him on his businesses.

What's special here at Zhu Kitchen is that you can order dishes you want to try even if it's not on the menu provided that ingredients are just within reach! Chef Kaw proudly announced that many of his loyal customers asked for dishes they have tried while they were out of the country or just even just here in the Philippines.. and they managed to cook those for the love of their customers. I also shared about Mr. Choi's Eggplant with Minced Pork and was surprised when he is also one of the owners of Mr. Choi! He also asked me if I want them to cook it the Zhu Kitchen style!

11/01/2014 No comments

10/20/2014 No comments

Have you ever experienced wanting to seriously live a healthy lifestyle but ending up feeling stressed and depressed because your calorie counter is like shouting at you every single time you chew? Or what about those promising diet plans which seems to be a bit friendly at first but then actually makes you feel pressured and resort to being unhappy?

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Don't get me wrong because I also believe that those were actually created because 'we' want to be healthy.

Oh wait. Maybe we just want to be thin and not really be healthy.

Honestly, I am one of those guilty gals out there who sometimes think that being healthy is similar to being thin. And also, just like you too, I have many questions like 'What should I really eat before and after workout or even before I start the hectic day at the office?', 'What workout program should I follow?', or even 'What drink should I..really be drinking?'.
And what I understand fully right now is that we have to freshly provide our body with healthy and proper fuel.

And this is what the collaboration of Freshfuel, Fruit Magic and HIIT Philippines wants us to experience without really spending so much.

FRESH FUEL

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Freshfuel aims to provide proper fuel to all who wants to be healthy and bring out their inner athlete. This carefully planned business and effective overall marketing strategy, is in collaboration with a team of professionals with diverse specializations united to promote proper health and wellness.

The Managing Directors for Freshfuel are Chef Jonvic Mangibin, Noel Paningbatan and Kim Manginsay, together with their Associate Directors Chef Kay Mangibin and Chef Kyle Sanchez.

Chef Jonvic and Piathought

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We all have that dilemma of what to eat before and after our workout. We even thought that eating after workout is a no-no!

Now, Freshfuel is the answer to all our questions and dilemmas.

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This team of talented, and experienced professionals researched and prepared ready to eat pre-workout and post-workout salads. Just as Tonette of HealthJunkie said, salads are never boring with Freshfuel!

Interesting, right? I know you're excited too!

PRE-WORKOUT LINE-UP

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Turkey and Berry
Php 184.00

Smoked Turkey Breast, Wild Arugula, Strawberry, Cranberry, Cherry Tomatoes, Cottage Cheese with Apple Cider and Dijon Dressing

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Beets and Yogurt
Php 148.00

Roasted Beets, Romaine Lettuce, Heritage Radish, Fresh Berry, Granny Smith Apple, Chickpeas with Herbed Yogurt Dressing

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Pasta and Granola

Php 169.00

Roasted Beets, Romaine Lettuce, Heritage Radish, Fresh Berry, Granny Smith Apple, Chickpeas with Herbed Yogurt Dressing

POST-WORKOUT LINE-UP

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Salmon and Sweet Potato

Php 184.00

Olive Oil poached Norwegian Salmon Flakes, Balsamic Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Wild Arugula, Capers, Spanish Onion with Lemon Dressing

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Faux Tapsilog

Php 169.00

Marinated Lean Beef, Cauliflower and Egg White Faux Fried Rice, Fresh Herbs and Garlic with "Sinamak" Dressing

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Chicken and Couscous

Php 148.00

Pan Seared Chicken Breast, Couscous in EVOO, Heirloom Tomatoes, White Cabbage Slaw, Toasted Cashew with Orange and Light Soy Vinaigrette

Freshfuel is also giving a discount of Php 45.00 for every combination of one pre-workout and one post-workout set!

Freshfuel's Fueling Stations

- Elorde Katipunan Branch 2 (HIIT Playground)

- Chubby Chicken Katipunan

For more information you may contact them at:

Email Address: Freshfuelph@gmail.com

Facebook: Freshfuelph

Twitter: @Freshfuelph

Instagram: @Freshfuelph

FRUIT MAGIC

Being the pioneer in the juicing industry, Fruit Magic has been part of every Filipino.

It was 1993 when Hernandez and Escalona families started Fruit Magic with SM Megamall as its first fruit paradise. And right now, Fruit Magic has been blessed with many branches nationwide!

Fruit Magic partners with Freshfuel in promoting health and wellness.

Anna Escalona of Fruit Magic talked about their newest Kefir which is also compared to yogurt. Some benefits of Kefir include cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins.

When asked how much is the price of Kefir, here's Anna's answer:

Kefir is only Php 99.00 because Fruit Magic believes that if you want to promote healthy products, like Freshfuel, we want everyone to afford it. We want people to get into the healthy lifestyle. - Anna Escalona, Fruit Magic

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Fruit Magic's Soy Magic

Anna also mentioned about their newest PhD Wired which is a super concentrated pre-workout powder that delivers:

Increased strength potential
Prolonged energy system realization
Potent cell volumizing

PhD Wired is available at Fruit Magic only for Php 75.00.

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Good news is that Fruit Magic is going to be available at Elorde soon! Cheers to a healthier you!

For more information you may contact them at:

Email Address: fruitmagic.summer@gmail.com
Facebook: FruitMagicPh
Twitter: @ilovefruitmagic
Website: www.fruitmagic.com.ph

HIIT PHILIPPINES

HIIT PHILIPPINES is composed of passionate fitness professionals who have the same passion and goal -- to bring people closer to being fit and healthy with their explosive and dynamic programs and workouts!

HIIT is also a partner of Freshfuel and Fruit Magic in providing and promoting healthy lifestyle. Indeed, getting fit has never been this fun!

The whole concept of this collaboration is to bring fitness closer to people and to live a healthy lifestyle. - Trish Ayson, HIIT Philippines

HIIT Philippines humble beginnings started at ELORDE Katipunan a year ago and now, they already grew bigger with five branches (ELORDE Katipunan, ELORDE Gilmore, ELORDE Daang Hari, Fight Factory BGC and Fight Factory Annapolis) over the Metro.

To know more about HIIT Philippines classes, you may contact them at:

Email Address: hiitphilippines@gmail.com

Facebook: HIITPhillipines

Twitter: @hiit_ph

Instagram: @hiitph

One of the many things I will never forget about this collaboration of Fresh Fuel, Fruit Magic and HIIT Philippines is that they are indeed true to their word that we don't have to spend so much to live a healthier life.

These three provides affordable products and services that will surely be our fuel to fresh and healthy lifestyle!