The Foodinista: December 2015

Feminine Comfort (FC) Bio Sanitary Pads: An Honest Review

Thursday, December 03, 2015

FEMININE COMFORT (FC) BIO SANITARY PADS has been all the buzz in the female community for quite a period now. This is a product of Malaysia and claims to relieve menstrual pains, regulate menstrual cycle, prevent infections and many more. I have always been curious about these pads and wonder what differentiates them from the regular napkins sold in drug stores. I discovered FC Bio Pads on Instagram through several reposts and shares it got through women experiencing hormonal problems. It had a lot of great feedbacks and honest reviews so I was convinced to get one and try it for myself!

Some experts say that popular pads being sold in the market were softened, bleached and applied with harmful substances that could produce a dangerous chemical called dioxyin. This chemical could cause cervical cancer, tumors, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and so forth. Bio Feminine Sanitary Pads is veering out from the norm and made theirs 100% organic which is safe and could even be a solution to some hormonal problems.

I don't have my menstrual cycle regularly. I have them every other month and sometimes, every other two months.. Basically, I do not have a regular cycle pattern. I'm not sure if this is because of the food I consume or often due to sleep deprivation or maybe because of anemia? I just discovered that I have PCOS so my irregular cycle justifies it.

I purchased Feminine Comfort (FC) Panty Liner (P180 per pack with 20 pieces of napkins) and 1 pack of Daytime Use Napkin (P200 per pack with 10 pieces of napkins) so to try if this will regulate my cycle. Their Night Use Napkin are P210 per pack with 10 pieces of napkins inside. I have indicated the prices which applies specifically for the shop where I ordered these, the price also depends on the location of the shop.

Manila shipping fee is P40 / P45 and P85 via Fastrack / P90 via Fastrack for provincial forwarded to LBC.

Their mode of payment are as follows: BDO, BPI, LBC, Western, Northern and Western Union.

pantyliner

The one in green packaging is the pantyliner. The packaging of FC Bio pad products are not like the ones that can be bought in supermarkets. The texture is a soft plastic foil which prevents the herbal smell to come out of the pack. The packaging looked a little cheap and even the design so I was unsure of the product at first glance. Anyhow, the benefits are what will actually IMPRESSED me so let's not judge the book by its cover.

To further discuss where the napkin is made of, the surface is made from 100% cotton, which could prevent irritation and itchiness. It is also made of natural ingredients and infused with special herbs.

It has a high absorption layer and an anti-leak layer as well.

There are 5 main extracts being used:

Mai Fang Shi

It will help to absorb and kill micro-organisms in our large intestine, mercury and other impurities. It helps deodorize and prevent infection.

Peppermint

Relieve heat, coolness, pain killer, relieve itchiness and release tension.

Ming Fang

Able to kill worms and anti-bacteria, act as antiseptic, relieve itchiness, helps in blood clot, act as pain killer.

Bing Pian

Relieve heat, anti-inflammatory, release pain, release tension and relaxing

You Kuai Mu

Used to prevent infection and to relief backache and to improve blood circulation

Instructions

It is claimed that FC Bio Pads could treat the following:

Dysmenorhhea, Yellow Discharge, Leukorh, Menstrual Pain, Itchiness, Infection, Irregular Menstrual Cycle, Red Rashes, Genital Warts, Blod Clot, Blood Odor Discharge, and so forth

Here are the Frequently Asked Questions from FC Bio Pads Blog:

1. Is Bio Sanitary Pad reliable?

Sure. The Bio Sanitary Pad is uniquely designed and specially formulated by 5 important natural herbs and another 12 minor types of valuable natural herbs. It is also insured with RM 3 million (EUR 600,000) insurance product.

2. Is encouraged pregnant women to use Bio Sanitary Pad?

Every pregnant woman has the same condition of health, so they are not encouraged to use this pad.

3. Menstruation has ended, why is there some dark discharge after using Bio Sanitary Pad?

Bio Sanitary Pad helps regulate the menstrual cycle. It also helps remove the blood clot or bloodstains in the uterus, that is why some dark discharge occurs after menstruation. This is a good sign.

4. Bio Sanitary Pad does not give me any response, should I continue using it?

Those who are healthy do not show any response. Bio Sanitary Pad is made of good quality raw materials, does not contain fluorescence, bleaching agents, and any other substance dioxin danger. Long term usage of Bio Sanitary Pad may help to prevent infection. It is anti-bacteria, deodorized and it prevents itchiness as well as provides cooling and comfortable feeling.

5. Is Bio Sanitary Pad beneficial to those who suffer from dysmenorrhea?

According to the feedback from customers dysmenorrhea, they recommend the usage of Bio Sanitary Pad 24 hours a day, change frequently with at least 3-4 pieces of pantiliner every day. Dysmenorrhea and backache problems will gradually improve after a month of continuous usage. But the result and the duration of improvement vary among individuals.

This is how the napkins looks like. It looks just like your ordinary napkins but the one thing that bothered me the most as I open the packaging would be the distinct herbal smell. It smells like body odor/ armpit odor, I know gross yuck and YUCK! I felt a little embarrass wearing this when I went to work cause I feel like I do stink. However, no one bothered to tell me I smell awful so I guess it's just me.

Day Time Napkin

This is the Day Time Napkin. It is just bigger but smelled the same! The smell is so distinct it will bother you while wearing the napkins. The feeling of wearing it is just the same as your regular napkins, it is a little thin than usual.

Verdict

I received my orders a day or two after ordering and paying the total amount. FC Biopads Manila's Customer service is good. I posted this review the second time around of experience using FC Bio Pads and seeing the effectivity convinced me to post this honest review.

I used this regularly for a week or two and after patiently waiting I finally had my period! :D

This is not a sponsored post, FYI.

I was also skeptical during the first time I've had my period after using these that's why I waited till I was able to use it again to confirm if it really works. I stopped using the pads for about 2 months and sadly I did not have my period on the next two days of not using the pads again.

I tried buying another set of bio pads again and surprisingly, I've had my period again.

Have to give it a try again so I can give the full verdict if it really works 100%, To add to that my dysmenorhhea went away and it lessen discharges prior to menstruation.

Catering

Support Local: BuChug's Fresh Lumpia

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

I have been seeing a lot of Fresh Lumpia posts from my friend Christopher Chug on Facebook lately.

He says the making of the Lumpia was his Grandma's idea!

A lot of mutual friends and followers have been ordering from him. He even posts reviews and feedbacks from his friends with actual videso to prove that the Lumpia is indeed, very good!

Therefore, after being convinced that it was worth trying I have decided to order three pieces of his Fresh Lumpia for P65 each. Some would think it's a little expensive for a lumpia but once you have tried it, it's the best P65 you've ever spent for a spring roll!

I'm not a fan of Lumpia ever since but it's my Mom's favorite food when snacking. I do not like peanut sauce plus I do not really eat vegetables so I didn't even want to try it. When I ordered Chug's on Facebook, I was a little hesitant that it might taste to bitter or too leafy which I might not like.

Lumpiang Ubod is what this is called in the Philippines. Some of these are sold on SM Food Courts and it is actually a famous meryenda food in the Philippines. My Grandmother usually make one during Christmas or Birthday Parties and Family events.

Photo by Chris Chug

I have attached a photo from Chris's Facebook on how he makes it. I do not know how to cook but I hope I'll be able to copy his Fresh Lumpia one da.. Fresh Lumpia is composed of assorted chopped vegetables which is easy to make and you can definitely do at home.

Here are the usual ingredients for the filling:

For the Vegetables: Lettuce Leaves, Carrots, Cabbage, Beans String Beans or Baguio, cilantro

Meat: Pork or Beef

Sauce: Peanut Sauce

TIP: Be creative. Creating the peanut sauce is the most exciting part here because the level of sweetness or will vary on your liking. You can even add unusual spices to make a unique sauce!

Of course do not forget your Lumpia Wrapper, Eggs, Minced Garlic, Onions, and Condiments

This photo is owned by Chris Chug

TIP: The number or variety of vegetable you can actually add on the Lumpia is endless. It's up to you! If you do not prefer some of the ingredients I added you can just replace it with your favorite veggies, that's how easy it is to make!

Chug's packaging is very simple. The Lumpia is wrapped in plastic so the oil will not leak in the styro.

Photo by Chris Chug

Here is how they make it. I guess if you plan on producing a lot of Lumpia for big events or catering it will be better if you place your chopped veggies and ingredients in separate bowls or containers for easier distribution of the ingredients to the Lumpia Wrapper. With this, you will also be able to estimate how many servings you'll be able to make.

This photo is owned by Chris Chug

On this album, I think the one's on the big containers are the main veggies he uses for the egg rolls.

Cabbage, Carrot and String Beans plus the special spices on the small container to add kick to his special lumpia.

I will not be discussing the details anymore.

Just check this link and / or other websites on the details on how to make it step by step.

Link: http://panlasangpinoy.com/2009/08/26/asian-vegetable-dish-fresh-spring-roll-lumpiang-sariwa-recipe/

Health Benefits
~ Protein - Derived from the Pork, Peanut Sauce and Tofu (If you add them)
~ Vitamin A, B & C
~ Fiber - Since it is fibrous you do not normally eat it with rice which is common among Filipino and Chinese. This is usually eaten as a snack during a snack or an appettizer for some.
~ Other Minerals

VERDICT
I really love BuChug's Fresh Lumpia Lumpia. I hope once you've read this post, you'll order from them and give it a try. Their Lumpia has it's own magic and a different taste compared to the other's I have tried before. The peanut sauce has just the right amount of sweetness and saltiness.
The vegetables included were freshly chopped and sourced. I also remembered when I was about to eat it in the afternoon it still tasted DELICIOUS!

I recommend to pre-heat the Lumpia first to fully enjoy it. This is definitely the perfect go to meal if you are always in a hurry for work and school. If you are also lazy in eating healthy meals, this is something I'd highly recommend!

Food

Happy Juices Inc: Fruit & Vegetable Juice

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

8 Bottles that I ordered for a one day detox

Juicing have been a trend for quite some time now but I have been interested in trying this about 2 years ago when I first saw it on TV when it is not yet a mainstream thing. I do not eat healthy food and I rarely eat fruits and vegetables that's why this has been one of my ultimate goals for 2016. Juicing is not cheap. Buying a juicer will cost you around P15,000 up BUT if you're a lazy person like me and prefers to experience the idea of "to-go" healthy drinks then this one is for you!

Finally, now that I have saved up enough for it i got to try my first set of detox bottles. I love window shopping on Instagram and whenever I see online shops which sells affordable products with good feedback and reviews, I instantly hit the follow button.

I found Happy Juice Ph when I was searching for hashtags #juicingph & #juiceph, I noticed that they also own The Happy Diet which is a healthy / counted calorie food delivery service with a lot of following. I contacted them right away and Ms. Mienne Timario who is the Head of Production Happy Juice Ph humbly responded to my messages.

Most of the people I know does juicing for diet and weight loss but my sole purpose for juicing is to detoxify and cleanse. This is a good alternative for nutrient absorption that my body needs that I rarely consume. I am a very picky eater. I even take out peas in fried rice, I do not eat carrots, broccoli and name all the vegetable you want, I WON'T EAT THEM unless it's a life and death situation.

I eat fruits once in a while but not on a regular basis. I am just lucky that despite not eating all these, I am still healthy and rarely gets sick. I know one day this will be vital for my health so I just had to find a way to stay healthy.

Now I've realized that I am not getting any younger and my body will be needing the necessary nutrients that veggies and fruits have. At some point, I will have to learn to consume them. If not eat, maybe DRINK.

So here, I will show you the per bottle juices that I have ordered, how they taste and what benefits they can give to your body.

Mango Pineapple Burst

Mango Pineapple Burst

Taste: Sweet and Citrus (Like Orange)

Ingredients: Pineapple, Mango, Lime & Mint

Calories Per Bottle: 121.42

Health Benefits: Good for Digestion, Good source of dietary fiber and enzyme, Good source of Vitamin C, A, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Good for the Immune System & Bones, Packed with Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, C, K, B6 , Folate and Iron

Review: This tasted like normal pineapple juice. A little tangy and soda-ish. I liked it. It did not have any taste or awkward whatsoever.

Klever Sage

Klever Sage

Taste: Sweet taste Distinctly

Ingredients: Lime, Celery, Pear and Spinach

Calories Per Bottle: 109.5

Health Benefits: Regulates the body's alkaline balance, calms down your system, Reduces Inflammation, Good For Digestion.

* Celery inhibits the growth of cancer cells especially on the pancreatic and breast cancer.

Review: The taste of lime is very strong here. I knew when I first took a sip that it had lime on it. Maybe this is to contrast the taste of celery.

Fire Up The Fat

Fire Up The Fat

Taste: Sweet, Tangy, slightly "Chili Pepper Taste"

Ingredients: Pineapple, Bellpepper, Spinach

Calories Per Bottle: 49.25

Health Benefits: Loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 Contains essential for the nervous system, Renews Cells, Anti-inflammatory, Energizer and Weight Loss

Review: I hate the taste of Bell Pepper, yuck. But thanks to the Pineapple for giving it a little kick and sour taste. This was the hardest one to cause the drink cause the bell pepper make me gag all the time.

Gerd Buster

GERD BUSTER

Taste: Tasting Creamy, Milky and a little Tangy

Ingredients: Avocado, Banana, Soya Milk

Calories Per Bottle: 123.33

Health Benefits: Good for Acid Reflux or GERD, Loaded with protein which is good for Build Up Muscle

Review: THIS IS MY FAVORITE! It feels like I'm just drinking milk. Tasted like banana milk. I would even recommend this to kids! It can be a healthy baon drink.

Green Team

Green Team

Taste: Mild Tangy Lemon

Ingredients: Spinach, Celery, Green Apple, Ginger

Calories Per Bottle: 86.5

Health Benefits: Spinach is a superfood with a whopping load of vitamins and minerals and even proteins to keep you feeling satiated. It also cleanses and detoxifies.

Celery on the other hand brings a load of free-radical-fighting anti-oxidants. Both the fat-fighting lemon and digestion-aiding ginger add a delicious kick to the whole recipe.

Review: Spinach is my favorite vegetable! But I hate ginger, so I have mixed feelings about this drink. The taste of ginger is too overpowering, kind of yucky but since it's healthy too, I was not able to resist it.

Refreshing Red

REFRESHING RED

Taste: Sweet and Refreshing

Ingredients: Beets, Apples & Watermelon

Calories Per Bottle: 43.75

Health Benefits: Nature's Aphrodisiac, More Energy & More Oxygen, Weight Loss, Energy and Brain Boost

Review: This is my second favorite cause of it's color. First time to try beets, it tasted awkward a little mushy, but in the end I really liked it! Thanks to the apple and watermelon it balanced out the entirety of the drink.

Super Slim Down

SUPER SLIM DOWN

Taste: Citrus, Tangy

Ingredients: Wheatgrass, Pineapple, Apple, Cucumber

Calories Per Bottle: 79.5

Health Benefits: Wheatgrass juice contains Chlorophyll (as opposed to pure) and can be taken orally and as a colon implant without side effects. This is also antibacterial and best use for detox. An effective healer too because it contains all the minerals known to man, and vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, I and K. It is extremely rich in protein, and contains 17 amino acids - the building blocks of protein.

Review: I did not like the taste of cucumber cause I just hate it. It's one of the veggies that I hate the most, but this one's smooth just like drinking a flavoured water. I like the thought of adding wheatgrass on the drink, it adds a unique texture.

Gerd Buste

This photo is owned by @happyjuicesph

This is the top 8 best sellers of Happy Juice Inc. They actually have 12 flavors but the ones they sent me were their best sellers.

According to Mienne the usual turn around time for one to feel that one is getting healthier is 28 days and that is when juice is also partnered with healthy food. Coffee is a no no on this diet and anything with caffeine.

Mienne was kind enough to send me the details of the health benefits of the juice I ordered. Thanks Mienne! I just recommend that they fix their labelling, since the stickers which indicated what flavor containing the bottle easily got melted.

I forgot to add that the juices were delivered to me in the morning around 9AM. I appreciate that they were able to deliver early as I was worried I might not be able to take breakfast, but I did. I also returned the bottles for their pick-up after emptying all the bottles. Mienne told me I'll get a discount on my next order for returning the bottles that i've used.

OVERALL, I am completely satisfied with my first juicing experience. I feel very healthy and also cleansed afterwards. My skin was blooming and I feel light and refreshed inside when I woke up the next day. Aside from that their customer service is really good and I hope they'll continue their high quality customer service!