Eat, drink, and be healthy!

There’s a scientific reason why we eat more during Christmas. Because the

weather is cooler, stocking up on calories is a way to lower our body

temperature. But remember that when it comes to eating, quality trumps

quantity. Choose your calories well, and your Christmas is sure to be healthier

and merrier! Here are five healthy eats perfect for the holiday season.

This Bicolano dish cooked with taro leaves, coconut milk, meat and chili gives

your body instant heat and nutrition. To make it even healthier, you can do away

with the meat altogether. Laing can be very nutritious, with taro leaves that have
dietary fiber that helps in weight loss and lowering blood pressure.

Another Bicolano dish that packs heat, this recipe calls for pork, coconut milk

and chili. Don’t scrimp on the coconut milk—it’s chock-full of vitamins,

electrolytes, potassium, calcium and chloride.

This warm breakfast fare is made of soybean custard mixed with brown sugar

syrup and sago. It’s rich in protein, and helps decrease cholesterol levels. In some

studies, it’s said to prevent heart disease.

Tablea or cocoa tablets are boiled in water, and stirred constantly for it to

thicken. This rich chocolate drink is not only the perfect companion during cold

weather, it also has numerous health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure,

preventing cavities, aiding weight loss and regulating blood sugar levels.

The tablea makes another appearance in this favorite breakfast item: chocolate

rice porridge or champorado that’s best consumed in cold weather, and topped

with dried fish. Make your champorado healthier and tastier with a dash of

muscovado sugar and calcium-rich milk!
Here’s how to cook the perfect champorado:
* Boil water in a cooking pot.

* Put 2 to 3 tablea, depending on how many servings you are cooking. Let

the tablea dissolve in the boiling water.

* Add the sticky rice. Stir constantly to prevent it from sticking to the

bottom of the pot. Let the rice absorb the water for about 15-25 minutes

in low to medium heat.

* Add and stir in the sugar and milk.
Have a yummy Christmas, everyone!

Sources: Source:

http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/eat/40-delicious-filipino-dishes-157035

http://www.glnaturals.com/cacao-tablea.html

http://www.seedguides.info/coconut-milk/

A Taho a day, keeps the doctor away

http://behealthyandwell.com/2014/07/rice-chocolate-porridge-or-

champorado-recipe/