Benefits of Infused Water to Your Body

It’s been a while since I have updated this blog. But nonetheless, it’s good to be back. And today, I am sharing to you sort of the things I have been up to.

It's been a year then. One of the things I have been trying out for quite some time already is this they called 'infused water.' You may have heard about it and most probably, many of you are including this already in your daily routine. But for those who aren’t familiar with it yet or perhaps, still in doubt with its benefits, you are in the right page to know what the infused water benefits are to your body. 

If you are looking for a natural way of detoxifying your body, infused water is one of the things you can try. With its great benefits it can offer to your body without risking anything or expecting for any reaction, definitely, this is the best to consume aside from water alone.

There are different kinds of combination infused water has. Depending on the fruits and herbs you are going to combine, it comes with different benefits too. Among the flavors many prefer is the combination of lemon and mint. Its availability in the market leaves us no wonder why it is common to many.

The benefits one can get out of consuming lemon-mint infused water includes prevention of cancer, heart disease, over fatigue, weight gain, and so much other health issues. Apart from that, it keeps your body hydrated most of the time especially during hot season and activities that your body is at risk. It also protects your kidneys and at the same time, it provides vitamin C to help you boost your immune system. Compare to drinking water alone, having lemon and mint or any kinds of combination of fruits and herbs to your water give more to your body which is healthy for you.

What’s advantageous of this drink is that unlike any other drinks available, infused water has no side effects and that provides more healthy benefits to your body. May you be suffering from any health issues or not, this won’t give bad effect to your body at all. 

Inday's Version: Granola Recipe

I love trying foreign foods. In fact, I even create my own version to fulfill my cravings especially if I don’t find it anywhere in local stores. Just in time, technology made it easier for individuals like me to find helpful and craving fulfilling recipes online.

I love trying recipes that are new to me. But before giving a try, I always make sure that its taste will definitely satisfy me. Just like Granola which other countries enjoy.

Actually, I don’t have any idea what granola is all about. I just got curious with it when I was searching for a parfait recipe. Most of the recipes I found were all in need of it. With that, I then decided to create my own granola version since I don’t find such in local stores nearby. But since I don’t have idea what is this all about, I search for its simple recipe. Then, with the help of CHOW website, I was able to create my first ever granola recipe!

What do you need to do is to just to prepare all the ingredients needed.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 and a half cup of Rolled Oats (preferred) or Quick Cooking Oats (good substitute in case you run out of rolled oats.)
• 2 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 3 teaspoon of cinnamon with a combination of brown sugar
• A pinch of rock salt
• 1/3 cup of honey or pancake syrup
• ¼ cup of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 cup of dried fruits (of your choice)
• ½ cup of toasted chopped nuts (of your choice)

I am not really expert to it since it’s my first time to create such. Most of the recipes I found online preferred rolled oats to use for granola making. However, rolled oats is very rare to find here in our place, with that I search for the best substitute. Then I had come up with an answer of Quick Cooking Oat.

HOW TO:

• To create my granola version, preheat first the oven to 150°C or to 300°F.
• Combine all the dry ingredients except for the nuts and the dried fruits. Mixed it well. Set aside.
• Combine the honey, vegetable oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Stir it well. Pour it in the dry mixture (oat mixture) you’ve made. Mix until all the dry mixture is coated.
• Spread the mixture evenly into the baking sheet. Bake it for 15 minutes to 20 minutes.
• After, remove it from the oven and stir it. Bake it again for 5 more minutes or so on just until all the mixture becomes lightly golden brown in color.
• Remove it from the oven and place it in a wide rack or a trivet. Let it cool and stir it occasionally as needed about 20 minutes or so. Note: It will harden as it cools. Take note of it!
• Add the dried fruits and nuts in the baking sheet on where your granola is, to combine. Store in your granola in an airtight container.

And then, there you have it- your simple edition of granola! You too can add chocolates and even seeds to it.

Take note, I have created my second granola version, if you want to keep your granola’s crisp stays; do not let it cool too much. Just as long as you feel it is safe and good to place in an airtight container already, then place it. Always keep the container close tight as well.

Thirst Quencher: Chowking Halo-halo

I am an avid fan of one our very own thirst quenching desserts, halo-halo. It may not be impressive to other culture but once you try it, you'll definitely fall in love with it!

Halo-halo is a Filipino dessert. It's English term is Hodge-Podge which is a combination of shaved ice, evaporated milk, and varieties of fruits and jello added into it. Know more about halo-halo here.

In Philippines, we have various food-shops that sell halo-halo. Of course, they have their own specialties which people could make differences whenever they try other's halo-halo. I was with my friend again. But this time, we have dined-in in one of the known fast food chains in the country which is the Chowking. We had our dinner in there. And nothing is new though. But, I am featuring you varieties of thirst quenching that is perfect for this summer. And I'll start it with the Chowking's Halo-halo.

I am a fanatic of sweets much more when it comes to such dessert (see above!). I really love how Chowking maintain its quality of food they serve particularly the halo-halo.

What I have with my order as far as I've remembered is a glass of ice shaved, milk, creamy leche flan, a scoop of ube flavored ice cream, green jello, and read kaong. I am sure that there are more ingredients added into it, it just that I forgot what are those as it was few weeks since the last time I've had it.

The Verdict

Thirst Quenching Effect -5/5

Price- 5/5

Overall- 5/5

Chowking

Asian/Oriental Cuisine (Food Chain)

Website: http://www.chowking.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chowkingph

Our GU E GU E YAKINIKU Experience

I'm not that a fan of Korean foods neither have the idea on what are the tastes of their cuisine. Yet, I do love to eat their famous side dish, kimchi, which is perfect to pair with fried or grilled viand(s). I also like their ramen (korean instant noodles in particular). To compare to local instant noodles, it is something that is very perfect for those who love spicy kind of meal.

I was invited by a friend to go with her for a lunch. And since I was freaking out because of the tasks I have online, I decided to go with her for me to take a break for just a few hours that time. Since we're both living in Mandaue, we decided to go to the nearest mall which is the J Centre Mall. We looked for a korean restaurant in the said mall which my friend has been wanting to have her lunch. Luckily, we stopped by at GU E GU E YAKINIKU restaurant.

It is my first time to dine-in in a Korean restaurant. And since I don't have any idea what this restaurant is offering, I gave all the decision to my friend on what to order.

Before we stepped-in at the restaurant, I find the place calm and nice. I mean, aside from there were 2 groups of diners and us, the place is indeed very perfect for a meeting place because it has a serene ambiance compare to other restaurants.

The Site
It is snapped on where we seated

We were also welcomed by their waitress which accompanied us to the table which is good for two-four persons. She handled us their list of menu. I took a snap of the menu and take a look of what they are offering:

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Rice and Soup Menu 

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Fresh Meat and Seafood Menu

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Noodles & Appetizer and Sizzling Menu

My friend ordered her favorite dish, samgyeopsal.

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Samgyeopsal Php180 per order

It comes with this (pardon me, I don't know what's the term for this, lol):

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Of course, Samgyeopsal will never be complete without lettuce! 

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We ordered samgyeopsal twice and we were charged of Php20 for additional lettuce. So, the first serve of lettuce for your first order of samgyeopsal is the only free. Additional order of samgyeopsal will never be paired of lettuce unless you pay for it. (This lettuce type is loose-leaf variety)

Glad that my favorites are available: the kimchi and the ramen!

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Kimchi- Php80

Oh, my bad. I was not able to snap a picture for the ramen. Well, I don't know if it's the restaurant or is it just me? Maybe I was just expecting too much. I remember way back during my high-school days, my classmate invited me and my other classmates for a dinner in one of the Japanese Restaurants here in Philippines. When the waitress in GU E GU E YAKINIKU hand over me the pot of ramen, I was quite disappointed. I thought that their ramen will not be the instant noodle type. So I just thought that, maybe that's the only ramen they serve even in Korea. Well, not that bad though. They added some veges on it such as carrots and other green leafies. The price is Php180 for a pot served of ramen.

My friend had also ordered their Spicy Squid which I find nice to look at.

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Spicy Squid- Php250

I'm not being mean here. I just find it not my taste. Please bear with me if I am just too mean or "ignorant". It is indeed spicy but its main taste, it's like somewhat about to get mold. It has the tangy taste already which you can really taste when your food is about to get molds. But maybe, maybe that's the unique feature of the food. And if ever, I don't recommend it then.

The Taste:
For the Samgyeopsal, it is my first time to try it. I love how Korean create such unique way of dish.

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Cooking time!

At the second image, you can see that we are grilling (using the electric griller) the meat which we are going to wrap with our lettuce. My bad, I was not able to take a pic of the wrapping session. The image above, click here, will be your flavoring to your wrapped up samgyeopsal. (I am now teaching, lol. Well, at least those who don't have any idea how it should be eaten has the idea on how to. ;P) It is best added with kimchi! When you give it a try, the first flavor you'll feel is the sesame oil. But overall, it's really a delish meal!

For Kimchi, just like other kimchi that can be ordered in jap, chinese, and such restaurants, nothing is new. The tangy flavor, just ordinary. Not impressive since I was looking for more spicy type of kimchi. But nonetheless, it's good.


The Bottom Line
We still had enjoyed our lunch even though I didn't like the spicy squid. Overall, we're satisfied. I highly recommend to you to try their Samgyeopsal and Kimchi! Oh, I almost forgot, we paid Php950.00 for this lunch. :)

They also offer Eat-all-you-can Meal  which is clustered into two. The one is worth Php399 while the other one is worth Php499. I haven't tried it yet, but whenever I get a chance to visit the place again, I will definitely share to you my experience!

The Verdict

Ambiance- 5/5

Food (the tastes and presentation)- 4/5

Price- 4/5

Overall- 4.3/5

GU E GU E YAKINIKU 

Korean Restaurant

Location: 2nd Floor Veranda J center Mall AS Fortuna ST. Mandaue City Cebu Phillippine, Mandaue City

Contact Number: (032) 260 0935

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GUEGUEYakiniku/

Inday Laagan's Welcome Post

Finally, I was able to set up my newly created food blog! Actually, it is my second blog related to food. However, the first one has not successfully grown. With that, I have no choice but to delete it forever. But this time, I swear that I'll do my very best for this blog to be successful.

Inday Laagan will be all about my food exploration within the island of Cebu. And if I got a chance to cover foods and even places outside Cebu, I won't hesitate to share it to you. Moreover, Inday Laagan will also share to you the hidden beauty of the island of Cebu which includes the top provinces for tourists, places to stay for big events like Sinulog, beaches for party getaways, and so much more. I can't promise that much for now but as soon as I'll be able to start my journey in this blog, I assure you that you won't get dismayed of being my loyal readers!

So stay tune as I start exploring the real beauty of Cebu!