Archive for February 2012

CrossFit Thursdays with WOD Nation

February 19, 2012 Health & Fitness One comment

Last week, my thighs were immovable. This week, my arms are. If you know me, you probably know what I got myself into this time (and I’ve probably even invited you). After all, I’ve been rotating, and changing gyms and workouts for several years now, and it’s not surprising I’m trying out a new one. This time, it’s CrossFit.

The first time I’ve heard about CrossFit, I immediately thought it was like circuit training. I can’t help compare because it was described to me as ‘doing a set of different workout in a short time frame’. This reminded me of 360′s circuit training, which I regularly do. So, when my officemate invited me to a CrossFit session with WOD Nation four Thursdays ago, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Well, ha, apparently not. After several CrossFit sessions, I can definitely say these two workouts are completely different.

What is CrossFit, really? Officially, and according to WOD Nation’s Facebook info page, CrossFit is all about “improving your fitness and helping you achieve your goals one constantly varied high intensity functional movement at a time”. For me, it’s simply one hell of a workout.

And WOD Nation is? WOD Nation is the group responsible for bringing CrossFit to the streets of Metro Manila. Yup, you’re literally working out anywhere, which makes it 10x badass than your regular gym. They’re usually somewhere in UP and BGC. For Thursdays, they’re usually at the parking lot across Honda showroom in BGC High Street every 7:30 PM.

So, what exactly do you do? The usual CrossFit session with WOD Nation can be broken down into five parts – the introduction, warm up, explanation of the wod (workout of the day), actual workout, and cool down. The session starts with all of the participants introducing themselves, and the coaches explaining CrossFit. Afterwards, we go to the warm up. If a big group turned out that day, the coaches usually divide the group into two – beginners and regulars. Otherwise, everyone does the same warm up routine.

After the warm up, the coaches will explain the workout of the day. You need to pay attention to this part because this is where they’ll explain and show everyone how to properly do the workouts. I’m usually excited, and fearful for this part because I get to find out what we’ll be doing that day and I’ll be like, ‘what the hell did I get myself into (again)’. Well, this is actually what I like about CrossFit, you don’t really know what to expect.

The WODs are usually divided into two – WOD A and WOD B. Beginners get to do WOD A, while the regulars do WOD B. But really, it’s up to you which of the two WODs you want to do as long as you know you can do it. If you’re not sure, you can ask the coaches for advice.

As for me, I was doing WOD A for three consecutive Thursdays. Last Thursday, it was a choice between doing six set of 4 lunges, 4 hand shuffles and 10 jumping jacks (WOD A) or ten sets of 2 lunges, 4 squat jumps, 8 push ups, and 10 high knee jumps (WOD B). The rule for both WODs is that you need to complete one set in one minute or else it won’t be counted. Your score afterwards will be your longest set.

So, this time, I chose WOD B. Despite my so called ‘confidence’ for choosing WOD B, I was actually really unsure if I could finish one set in one minute, let alone do it 10 times. But well, you cannot possible not finish especially when you hear other people shouting ‘DONE’ as they complete their set. In addition, you’re also competing with yourself as you try to finish the set faster than the previous one. Well, I don’t really remember my score, but the reminders of that 10 minute intense workout are still with me, and my aching arms.

After the intense workout, you may feel the soreness immediately, or after a few hours. So, it’s important to join the cool down routine and listen to their tips on how to handle the muscle soreness afterwards. And yeah, there’s the class picture taking. :P

CrossFit Thursdays

Is CrossFit everyone? Honestly, I don’t think so. Well, it’s definitely not for sedentary people who suddenly had the urged to workout. The only people I’ve encouraged to join are those who I know regularly works out. Given the intensity of the WODs, it’ll definitely challenge even the most physically fit people. Even my friend, Vida, who is an amazona capoeira girl, surprisingly experienced muscle soreness afterwards. Anyway, if you think you’re up for it, then give WOD Nation’s CrossFit a try.

For more information about CrossFit and WOD Nation, check out WOD Nation’s Facebook and Twitter page.

Happy Valentine’s Day at Maitre Chocolatier

February 16, 2012 Events, Food One comment

The Valentine’s fever is practically over. You are either relieved that it’s over and done with or sad that it can’t go on forever. As for me, I’m more frustrated of the fact that my tummy isn’t made of a bottomless pit. If it was, I would’ve probably ordered and ate everything in the menu of Maitre Chocolatier.

Maitre Chocolatier's Valentines themed wall

Yeah, like the majority of couples in this region, my boyfriend and I went on a date on Valentine’s day. This year, he brought me to Maitre Chocolatier, a boutique cafe along Jupiter street, Makati. For most people, it may be just a normal cafe store; for me, it’s chocolate heaven. Their appetizers, entrees, snacks, and of course, the desserts all contain the ultimate special ingredient – chocolates. :)

Well, though I love chocolates, I never really thought they would go well with other food, like sausages. When we ordered the Matire Chocolatier’s Sausage for our appetizer, I didn’t know what to expect.  Surprisingly, the dark chocolate filled sausage with butter toast was delicious. The chocolate amazingly complemented the taste of the Hungarian sausage.

Maitre Chocolatier's Sausage

For our entrees, he ordered Linguine in Pesto Sauce with Parm-Crusted Chicken, while I got the Linguine in Spicy Dark Chocolate with Dark Chicken. Both pastas were delicious. The chocolates certainly gave these two dishes an interesting taste. However, of the two, I actually preferred his order. This is partly because of the perfectly cooked Parm-Crusted Chicken and its white chocolate sauce. I’ll definitely order this again when we go back.

Linguine in Pesto Sauce with Parm-Crusted Chicken

Linguine in Spicy Dark Chocolate with Grilled Chicken

And then finally, the dessert and drinks. Of course, it won’t be right if we didn’t order dessert in a restaurant named “Maitre Chocolatier”. It took a while for us to choose among all the delicious looking desserts, but we eventually ended up ordering Sweet Revenge – Lindt Moltent Lava Cake. This is one killer dessert. I know you want one just by looking at the picture.

Sweet Revenge - Lindt Molten Lava

We complemented this chocolaty dessert with even more chocolaty drinks – chocolate beer and Bailey’s Vodka Martini with dark chocolate truffles. I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t really say if the chocolate beer is delicious compared to the others. What I’m sure about is that the chocolate beer is one of the few beers that I could actually drink. As for the martini, it’s yummy.

Rogue - Chocolate BeerBailey's Vodka Martini

Bailey's Vodka Martini

Overall, I love Maitre Chocolatier. Well, maybe I’m biased because it’s a chocolate restaurant. Anyway, we’ll definitely go back here one of these days.

some interesting stuff in the cafe

 

Maitre Chocolatier is located at 2A, No. 28, Jupiter corner Astra Street, Bel Air, Makati City, Metro Manila. For more information, you may visit their website http://www.m-chocolatier.com/

For the Shoeaholics: Shoe Design Workshop

February 8, 2012 Fashion, Interests No comments

If there’s one fashion thing I really love, it’s shoes. My room knows I have so many, and I can’t seem to have enough. Yeah, girls can never really have enough shoes, it’s crazy.

shoes!

Well, my shoe craziness actually made me want to make one for myself. However, I didn’t really know where to start. So, when SoFA Manila offered their Shoe Design Workshop for Nov 2011, I immediately jumped at the chance to enroll.

SoFA Manila's Shoe Design Ad

During the first day of the workshop, our professor, Sir Alex Ng, introduced us to the art and science of shoe design. Yes, there’s science! And math, too, apparently. Well, anyway, those are advanced topics already. This particular workshop was mainly focused on the technique of shoe designing. If you’re gifted with the creative talent, I think you’ll breeze through this workshop.

the work area

As for me, I have been accustomed to typing and photoshopping that I can barely draw. I won’t bother showing my first attempts as they are unremarkable. :P Anyway, after the 2nd and 3rd class, I think my shoe designing skills improved. Watcha think?

one of my many attempts in shoe designing

Aside from teaching us the techniques in shoe design, our instructor also discussed the shoe whole production process and told interesting things about the Philippine’s shoe making industry. It’s really amazing how much work is done in creating just one pair of shoes. I really gained a whole new appreciation for shoes afterwards. To further immerse ourselves in the ins and outs of the shoe making business, Sir Alex arranged a mini-field trip to the different shoe suppliers and factories in Marikina. I’ll be sharing that experience in another post.

School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA Manila) is located at Ground fl. Enzo Bldg, 399 Gil Puyat Ave, Makati City, Philippines. For more info, visit http://blog.sofafibre.com/

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