Images and recipes courtesy of <fitsugar.com>, <wholeliving.com>, <goodtoknow.co.uk>, Google Images

Shedding the holiday weight can prove to be a difficult task—your metabolism has slowed and your appetite has grown. Even though at the start of the season you stayed away from the food and the sweets, binging on Noche Buena and Media Noche put all of that effort to waste. Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get rid of that food baby to a healthier, cleaner, and leaner 2013.

FOR BREAKFAST

Muesli (toasted oats) with Almonds and Cinnamon

Oats, sunflower seeds, apple, fresh berries, and yogurt (recipe here)

Substitutes: cereal, macadamia nuts, grapes, melons, and bananas

Debloating Chia Seed Supergreens Drink

Coconut water, chia seeds, and supergreens (recipe here)

Buckwheat Porridge

Buckwheat groats, soy milk/low-fat milk, water, banana (recipe here)

Substitutes: leftover brown rice, hot milk, mixed fruits and vegetables

FOR LUNCH

Roast Tomato and Orange Soup

Tomatoes, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, vegetable stock, fresh orange juice, orange zest (recipe here)

Substitutes: pumpkins/squashes for a pumpkin soup

Avocado Couscous Salad

Avocados, couscous, lemon juice, chickpeas, pepper, pomengranate, orange juice, parsley, pine nuts (recipe here)

Tomato and Bean Salad with Grilled Tuna

Tomatoes, beans, tarragon leaves, lemon juice, scallions, tuna steaks (recipe here)

FOR DINNER

Asparagus and Polenta

Polenta (coarse ground corn meal), cheese, asparagus, fava beans (recipe here)

Substitutes: mashed potatoes (done by hand) for polenta

Jumping Jack Smoothie

Pear, soya milk, banana, yogurt, flaxseed (recipe here)

Substitutes: any fruit

Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Chicken fillets (cut), bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, pasta (recipe here)

FOR DESSERT

Vegan Mint Chocolate Green Shake

Raw cacao nibs, mint, dairy-free vanilla ice cream, soy milk, salt (recipe here)

Substitutes: cocoa tablets or dairy-free chocolate ice cream for the taste

Cherry Chocolate Granola Bites

Butter, whole-wheat flour, dried coconut, unsweetened chocolate, dried cherries, chocolate chips, almonds, granola (recipe here)

Substitutes: dried mangoes, oranges, or strawberries for cherries.

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Choose your meals wisely. Remember that fiber in fruits, vegetables, and grains help cleanse your body and keep you fit and healthy. Don’t omit your carbohydrates altogether—you need them to fuel your activities throughout the day. Instead, cut down your carbs and increase your intake of greens (eg. 1/2 cup of rice for every cup of vegetables)

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Have any suggestions or personal detox meals you’d like to share? send us a photo and the recipe at thegirlsroomonline@gmail.com, or tweet us!

Join me as I go into a healthier new year,

Kit of The Girls’ Room

They’ve trended nationwide on Twitter (twice!), and they’ve been opening branches like mushrooms all over the biggest metros in the country, faster than any multinational food chains can go, at least recently in Manila.

(photo by Joy Basa)

We’re crazy about ‘em, and we’re always getting the good vibes whenever we grab a cup of their authentic Taiwanese brews. Their branding and marketing is stupendous, and their offer, something we cannot refuse.

(photo by Kit Singson)

Starting quaint and small, Moonleaf Tea Shop became a hit among students and professionals in the Diliman area when they opened October of 2010. The shop was tiny and could only seat 10 people inside at a time, it was more like a take-out counter. But word of a delicious alternative drink near Maginhawa spread, and soon, people were lining up to have a cup of one of their many flavors, and the place was always full.

Moonleaf expanded to a bigger space along the famed foodie Street in Teacher’s Village to accommodate its now varied clientele.

(photo by Kit Singson)

People have always asked why these kids love Moonleaf so much, there are other milk tea places with the same affordable price and an even wider menu offerings. It’s because Moonleaf doesn’t just sell their milk teas - they sell the experience.

(photo by Tala Singson from Tanglaw’s Facebook page)

Moonleaf is enthusiastic about everything youth-oriented. Music, fashion, art, filmmaking, advocacy - you name it, Moonleaf supports it (and most probably have hosted and sponsored an event for it). Just some of their events include UP Cinemalaya, Pop-Up Bazaars for Sendong Victims, Anteroom Sessions, and various university parties and events. They also supported events close to my heart - Tanglaw (UP ID179 BS Interior Design 2012 - Project of transforming the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind buildling), and our own Thesis Exhibit (UP CFA 2012, Out of the Orange).

Moonleaf is like a place you always want to go home to. The people are pleasant, and the ambience is comfortable. And as Moonleaf team members and marketing heads Ms. Thysz and Ms. Justine described it, “the Moonleaf team is like a second family where you can open up to almost everyone and not be judged.”

Have yourself a different brew with Moonleaf Tea Shop’s lifestyle. It’s one you wanna live.

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Follow them on Twitter

They already have 17,000 fans. Be one of them!

Check out their website and Tumblr

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Grab a milk tea!

Love,

Kit of The Girls’ Room

I am a HUGE fan of Moonleaf’s Nai Cha and tea drinks. It also doesn’t help that I study in UP Fine Arts, Diliman, which is a mere five minutes away from the main branch in Maginhawa, so I can just pop into the shop and buy myself a Yakult Jasmine or an Oolong based milk tea, any time I fancy. And by “any time”, I mean every time I crave for it.

Moreover, I live in Antipolo. When they announced the branch’s first day of operation last February 20, I thought I’d drop by and get acquainted with the location, and the baristas. It was a seemingly idle Monday afternoon when I decided to go there, but the place was busy with activity - the shop was serving their first batch of milk tea lovers.

If you’re in the Beverly Hills area, or in Antipolo for a Pilgrimage (Holy Week is almost here!), make a little house call at Moonleaf Antipolo situated on the G/F of Shoppesville Bevery Hills Ave., immediately beside the private subdivision with the same name. Seating isn’t lacking, and a cozy neighbor bakeshop and an art gallery will keep you glued to it for a while longer.

We hope you started your week on a productive note! :)

Moonleaf Tea Shop Antipolo is located at

G/F Shoppesville, Beverly Hills Avenue, Antipolo City.

Stay beautiful!

Sincerely,

Kit of The Girls’ Room