Growing up, I was the designated daughter to cut the ingredients for my mom’s cooking. In Tagalog, we call this process of cutting, “gayat“. I was never fond of this chore because it would take a long time. It took awhile because I was using a dull knife. Even so, I didn’t like sharp knives because I was…
What to eat Vegan in San Francisco: Flying Falafel
If I have to choose between veggie burger and falafel wrap, I’d go with falafel wrap hands down. Falafel done right always makes my day. It’s crunchy, savory, sometimes mildly peppery, and great with hummus, tahini, veggies, and pita bread. The perfect combo that beats any veggie burger. Falafel is traditionally vegan so if I couldn’t find a…
Top 5 Vegan Skincare for Spring
When I was transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, skincare products came last on my list to veganize. I started with food then wardrobe and eventually makeup and skincare. I thought I was doing a good job at it until I recently found out that some cruelty-free skincare products could also be harmful to my health. I started learning about all the…
Full Video of my Adobo Nation TV appearance
Recently, I was invited to appear on the TV show, “Adobo Nation” to talk about my work at Astig Vegan. I’ve been on TV before -promoting theater shows, even reporting the news, but there’s nothing like being on TV to talk about my life’s passion. I was invited to talk about my own work. I’m still pinching myself in disbelief! What’s…
Astig Vegan featured on a TV show
I’m still pinching myself. Astig Vegan has made it on television! Last Thursday I was on the television cable station, The Filipino Channel, to feature my vegan Filipino dishes. The show is called “Adobo Nation“, a magazine television show that features food, entertainment, fashion, and other hot topics in the Filipino American community. The…
Where to Eat Vegan in Napa
Call me lucky, but I have friends who are always the first to learn about upcoming vegan events in town and out. Six months ago, my friend Rosie alerted me that vegan cookbook author and vegan culinary celebrity, Isa Chandra Moskowitz will be in Napa on February 8th for a cooking tour. The event sold out quickly…
Where to Eat Vegan: Flacos, Berkeley
Flacos is a quaint vegan Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. I’d like to believe it has a mission similar to Astig Vegan’s: to pay homage to a culture by veganizing its cuisine while preserving its authenticity. I met up with my friend Clare to have lunch with her and to catch up while she’s visiting the Bay Area. At the…
Favorite of the week: Abba Hair Conditioner
Last week, my best friend and I went to the beauty store, Ulta, just to check it out. Of course, “just to check it out” doesn’t end with anyone empty handed. I walked out of the store with this hair conditioner: Ulta was having a big sale that day. I got 50% off Abba…
Where to Eat Vegan: Blaze, Fremont
Believe it or not, my best friend and I exchanged holiday gifts just last week. My best friend, Lhen visited the Philippines so I had to wait for her to come back. Meeting up for the holidays has become our tradition; we would meet up, eat good food, exchange gifts, catch up with what’s new, and reminisce the good old days….
Worth it or not? Rouxbe Online Cooking School
I remember when I was debating whether or not I should enroll in an online cooking school called Rouxbe. The tuition fee costs $1,500 for a six-month plant-based cooking course and I wasn’t sure if it was worth the money. After all, there are tons of free information online, right? Most of my friends and my…