Thank you for 2017, 2018 we are ready for you!

As this year ends, I want to do a simple post of Thanks.

This year was difficult, but it ended really well. What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger. Thank you Lord for the strength and the blessings.

May we all have a Happy and Blessed 2018!!! just saying.

Hummus Elijah for the best Mediterranean Food in Manila

When we were traveling in Europe last month, some of the best meals we had came from Tim's recommendations which he found on Tripadvisor's Cheap Eats List. If there was a list for Manila, I would definitely vote to add Hummus Elijah in it. Though that may be unnecessary since they have already been awarded as the Number 1 most searched in Zomato, and I heard from Ady that they are ranked Number 1 in 1,000+ restaurants in Makati as well.

I love discovering Hole in The Wall places, and thanks to Ady's Bureka (Israeli Cheese, Spinach or Potato Pie) craving, she found Hummus Elijah. You can even say it's hiding in plain sight, since it is right on Makati Avenue, very near/ almost across A Venue. 

Look for the Massage Place if you can't find it.
The place is on the second floor., but they have their own entrance.

Just to manage expectations before you continue reading, Hummus Elijah is a VEGETARIAN place. I am very much a carnivore, but I loved Hummus Elijah anyway.

The menu is basic. My recommendations are the Burekas (the family caan't agree if Feta or Spinach is better - so get both, and try the Potato one too!), Tabouleh, Shakshuka and Papa liked the BabaGanoush. Of course you shouldn't leave without having Baklava for dessert with the fresh mint tea, and don't forget to buy some to bring home as well, that's what we did.

Hummus Elijah sells basic Mediterranean staples as well.

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We all enjoyed the food, even the parents, who just crashed our dinner for the company. 

This is the Bureka that brought us here.
It's very similar to the Greek Cheese Pies. No need to go to Greece now.

The Hummus is ok, but mine is better. Go ahead and order it since
chances are, I won't make for you anyway.

The Chili Sauce is the bomb! Don't put too much, it's potent.

Reen wanted something basic so she ordered a Grilled Cheese Pita,
which was also surprisingly good. It comes with boiled egg inside.

We all loved the Baklava for dessert.

Goes so well with Fresh Mint Tea, I had to buy Fresh Mint from the
supermarket yesterday so I could do this at home.

Take Home please, Hahaha,
I am actually eating them with fresh Mint Tea as I blog.

This server rocks! Thank you po Kuya,

We will definitely be back. just saying.


Hummus Elijah
7850 Makati Avenue, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila
They also deliver through foodpanda.com

I'm back... My 2017 Highlights

I'm back!!!

I was on quite a long break this year. I admit, there were a few months when it felt like I took a sabbatical from life. I focused on getting healthy and I am happy to say that it worked. I am definitely more inspired and more energized, full of excitement for everything that is going on in my life, my passion projects included.

Since I am just getting my blogging groove back, let me make this my 2017 year end post as well.

There are a lot of things I am very thankful for.

1. The start of this year was very difficult for me financially. I don't know what happened, but it sure seemed like for the first few months of the year, all I did was dip into my savings come credit card payment time. I had to actually tighten my belt and NOT SHOP... and this lasted until October. (No wonder I got burned out with life!!! Hahaha). So I am thankful that I not only survived that very dark period this year, fingers-crossed, it seems to be over. Whew!

2. I gained 20+ freaking pounds, a sister in law, and I lost it. The 20+ freaking pounds, not the sister in law, which I am happy to keep. Kasi no return no exchange daw, according to my brother.

This is me and the extra freaking 20+ pounds.

On the rare occasions I posted photos, I had to choose the most flattering

filters, and crop the hell out of my arms.

Welcome to the family Reena!!!

Timmy and Reena's HK Wedding Feb 17, 2017

3. I got the shock of my life when I did my Annual Physical Exam in March and I stepped on the scale. OMG... so that's why I had to give most of my clothes away. I told myself I needed to make a change and get healthier. I decided to give the NutriBullet another try. I found a smoothie recipe I actually liked, and I take it every single day as a meal replacement. I realized that eating a later low calorie breakfast helps, I take my smoothie mid-day with a low calorie snack, then I take the other half at dinner with some protein and a lot of veggies. I feel lighter, more alert, and not deprived at all because I still eat all my favorite food (steak fat and foie gras included).

This is me 20+ pounds lighter. Thank you NutriBullet.

November 2017, 0 degrees weather, Budapest

4. Things were quiet travel-wise on the work front this year. But I was blessed with many travels with family and friends.

The whole family, Timmy and Reena included, with Auntie Celita and Auntie Lilian went to Europe for Holy Week.

Barcelona

Paris

I was able to bring my family to places I've visited before that I really enjoyed.

Lyon

Segovia

We had the best apartment overlooking the Aquaduct.

We ate at all the well known Cochinillo places (so I could blog about which

one is the best, coming soon)... so know you know how I gained 20+ pounds!!!

Marrakech

Where I gave Papa the shock of his life. You can read post on that here.

We visited my boss in Sri Lanka in November.

I've always wanted to visit a Tea Plantation. We not only did that in

Nuwara Eliya, we got to go Tea Plucking too.

Old Town Square in Prague.

I was also able to visit a lot of new places.

Brunei for work.

Visited Melaka with Jay's family and Anelle.

They have the best Christmas Markets in Vienna.

Walking Tour during a snow storm in Bratislava.

Can you spell Budapest?

I got to visit an old favorite too, maybe for the last time.

Painting shopping for the boss at Bogyoke Market

in Yangon.

5. My passion projects are doing well, with the 2018 collection in the works.

I have a new partner in growing Wanderlust online.

I am so glad the training brought us together Kate!

My leather crafting hobby did surprisingly well this 2017.

I already have products in the pipeline for our 2018 collection.

Wanderlust is truly inspired by places, to take you places.

I thank God for the time he gave me this year to recharge and reclaim my health.
I don't know what is in store for 2018 but I continue to pray for the best.

Give Good. I believe in Karma. It will come back. just saying.

Winner 2-bite Soft Tacos from Taco Vengo

If you like Mexican Fusion food, one place you should try is Taco Vengo, a hole in the wall place in the Kapitolyo area, across the Unilab, where parking is surprisingly not an issue. 

Their tacos are really good, but you need to order quite a lot because they are small and tasty, but not filling at all.

The Honey Soy Chicken is my favorite.
Best when eaten with a bowl of veggies (I ate the veggies from my daughter's
Tempura Rice Bowl that I asked them to serve on the side) 

A better shot of the Honey Soy Soft Taco

I also had the Pork Cheek taco which came highly recommended,
but I'm not sure if I like it. I guess it's ok if you're looking for variety.

I was sufficiently full, but not stuffed with two tacos and the veggie bowl, but if you come hungry, or you don't have an extra veggie bowl, two tacos are definitely not enough.

My sister ordered the Steak Soft Taco and the Shrimp Tempura Soft Taco but she had to order another Shrimp Taco because she didn't get full. Best to get your order right the first time because their service sucks.

The Shrimp Taco is another popular choice, but I found it too greasy.

The service was so bad our starters, which we ordered way ahead of the tacos, as we were still waiting for my brother to arrive, came after everything was served and they only informed us at that time that they had no stock of the cranberry and cheese quesadilla.

We ordered the nine-layer dip and it was totally not worth waiting for.

I guess Taco Vengo is okay if you just stick to their two-bite tacos, and order the correct quantity when you arrive so you don't have to wait long twice. just saying.

Taco Vengo

16 Williams, Mandaluyong, 

1554 Metro Manila