The Ironman logo says “Anything is possible”. That’s true of course, but the true spirit of Ironman is in sharing the unique experience with your family, friends and fellow competitors.
In this light, we have some fabulous insights and tips for all future Ironman competitors to make your Ironman journey the best it can be.
Continue reading Ironman Lessons from the Filipino Contingent to Malaysia Ironman 2014
Just like the 120 Filipinos heading off to compete in Ironman Malaysia’s beautiful Langkawi this Saturday 27th of September you might also want to challenge yourself with an Ironman one day. Here are 10 reasons to do an Ironman for those considering it.
Top 10 Reasons To Do An Ironman
1. The Joy Is The Journey Not Reaching The Final Destination
You will learn a lot about yourself by the time the announcer hails “You are an Ironman.” There will be tears, laughter, pain, joy and many more emotions. Each stroke, pedal and step can help make you a better and stronger person.
Image cortesy of this site.
Continue reading Top 10 Benefits of Competing in an Ironman Event
Our Primed Mousse has been one of our popular recipes as it is a perfect snack and great for dessert too. Whilst extremely nutritious it also has a natural sweetness from the prunes.
This new Primed Mousse is less sweet but equally nutritious with fabulous health benefits from the papaya, saba bananas, mineral and vitamin dense spice cardamom and kaffir leaves. It is also delicious, refreshing and great sprinkled with crushed nuts.
Continue reading Primed Mousse of Papaya and Saba Bananas infused with Cardamom and Kaffir Lime Leaves
Sala Restaurant has been a favorite of mine for many years (as well as People’s Palace) as Chef Colin Mackay really knows how to run a great restaurant. The success of The Blackbird Restaurant a few minutes walk away is testament to that.
Despite all the new and shiny restaurants opening it is always great to go to a local favorite like Sala where you know the ambience is relaxing, the service professional and the food top notch.
Relaxing Ambience
Sala is small, quaint and relaxing. The tables are not crowded together, the acoustics are good and there is a nice view onto the courtyard where you forget that Makati Avenue is but a few meters away.
A Great Start
There can be no better start to a meal than a refreshing glass of good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. We tried The Ned 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand P580 glass/ P1440 bottle and thoroughly enjoyed the crisp and vibrant flavors. It was a typical NZ Sauv Blanc that was to serve as a magnificent contrast to our next oak aged Spy Valley “Envoy” Sauvignon Blanc 2011.
My starter was a Moorish soup of chorizo, chestnuts and saffron P480 that was a delight of hearty tomato, spicy chorizo and a textured chestnut finish that lasted long on my palate.
The Spy Valley “Envoy” Sauvignon Blanc 2011 P1060 (special price from Lester of Zen Asia) was a perfect accompaniment to my soup as it was full bodied and in the earthy French style of a Bordeaux white. The color, bouquet and taste left you wanting to buy 6 to take home and enjoy with your home-made Primed dishes such as Squash Carbonara or Lamb Shoulder with daikon and squash “rice”.
Other Appealing Starters
Timbale of tiger prawn and crab remoulade with lemon and chive vinaigrette P480
Seared fresh Breton scallops, cauliflower puree, golden raisin and caper relish, bacon and rocket salad P720
Wonderfully Rich and Full-flavored Main
My main was a Slow braised veal cheek, Brussels sprout and bacon Colacannon, horseradish gremolata P1100. My dish was melt-in-your-mouth delicious with other appealing main courses being:
Juniper and thyme roast duck breast, roast pears and parsnips, carrot puree and cranberry jus P1480
Dry rubbed and grilled lamb cutlet and tenderloin, pumpkin pansotti, spinach and goat’s cheese P1480
Grilled Mulwarra beef tenderloin, guanciale roasted mushroom, horseradish potato galette and confited garlic jus P1880
Dessert
In keeping with my Primed Lifestyle my dessert was nothing sweet but a double espresso with no sugar or milk.
Great Wines from Zen Asia
Being an Aussie citizen who was born in New Zealand I am slightly biased towards their wines. Lester Harvey from Zen Asia has some wonderful wines from these countries,(as well as South Africa). For a look at their wine stock please email Lester at lester@zenasiainc.com.
Our red wine with the main course was an excellent South Australian red from Langhorne Creek called Heartland. The grapes were a combination of 51% Dolcetto and 49% Lagrein (typically northern Italian varietels but grown in South Australia). Their website accurately describes the wine as having a “smoothly textured palate of dark fruit, a bouquet garni of herbs and spices and a long savoury finish.”
The Final Words
I highly recommend Sala Restaurant for a Primed business lunch, a special occasion celebration or simply a group of friends like ours. Cheers Lester, Maureen, Dondi and Greg.
RESERVATIONS +632 750 1555 / +632 893 0242
email info@salarestaurant.com
6752 Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Pickled vegetables like kimchi, cucumbers and ginger are probiotics that can aid the health of your stomach. They make for delicious snacks or additions to salads and side dishes to your main meal. Here are two of my favorite pickled dishes.
Primed Danish Pickled Cucumbers
I was born in Auckland New Zealand and was adopted to a couple living in Hong Kong when I was 1-month old. My new Dad was an Aussie and my Mum Danish. This is where I learned to appreciate many Danish dishes such as Frickadella, Red Cabbage and Risalamande.
I will start with one of the simplest Danish dishes from my childhood that is also one of the tastiest. Danish Pickled Cucumbers are a great side dish to chicken, pork and beef, goes well in a salad and is a nice snack with julienne carrots. I prefer it on top of our Primed Tuna and Squash Patties.
Just as an aside, I only found out I was adopted when I was 28 years old!
Continue reading Danish Pickled Cucumber and Pickled Ginger Recipes – Good for Gut Health
RIP Joan Rivers, you will be sorely missed. You and Robin Williams were two of the funniest people in the world and you’re impact was profound.
Who doesn’t love a good quality chocolate brownie? Our whole family does but we make ours with Prime ingredients to make it a treat that is good for you in the right quantities.
There are many health benefits to Dark Chocolate such as being high in antioxidants; high in minerals like magnesium and iron; is an anti-inflammatory; helps liver function, reduces blood pressure; and minimises the risk of cardio vascular disease and stroke.
Continue reading Primed Dark Chocolate Brownie
Like most people I love chocolate, and in particular Dark Chocolate (my definition is 70% cocoa and above). I don’t really need much encouragement to eat Dark Chocolate especially after discovering its many healthy benefits.
8 GOOD REASONS TO EAT DARK CHOCOLATE
(1) No cholesterol
(2) Very low in sodium
(3) High in dietary fiber
(4) Very high in iron
(5) Very high in magnesium
(6) Very high in phosphorus
(7) It tastes great
(8) High in saturated fats which is a great source of energy in a healthy, balanced diet. Saturated fats can help your lungs, bones and immune system among other benefits.
Dark chocolate improves blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Continue reading Dark Chocolate. Love it and have to eat it!
Besides the “Runner’s High” one of the joys of running is meeting and making friends with other runners. You get to meet some amazing people from all walks of life who are united in their love of running. You learn a lot from these inspiring individuals and we are delighted that Raul Concepcion aka Running Shield has passed on some marathon racing tips for us all for the first part of our series of Marathon Friend’s Running Tips.
Continue reading Marathon Friend’s Running Tips – Stay Positive – Raul Concepcion aka Running Shield
Ever since Natasha and I got into running we dreamed of joining the iconic Milo Marathon series. We had friends who had run the qualifying races and earned their right to a free marathon in December. That sounded good to us and I attempted to qualify in 2010 but missed out by 19 minutes when I ran 4:08:30.
Luckily we both qualified for the finals in 2011 and 2014. Every marathon gives you a different experience from which to learn.
Primed for Your Life 