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Chef Reina challenges popular meat-based Filipino foods in her new cookbook ‘Plant Based Filipino Comfort Foods’.

by on ·Asian, food, WorldWide

Chef Reina, a Filipino chef, recipe creator, and ‘restauranteur’, has released a one-of-a-kind cookbook titled Plant Based Filipino Comfort Foods. Her recipes are a perfect blend of tradition that celebrates the Philippines, combined with contemporary vegan ingredients. Her recipes have even received the “Cultural Trailblazer” award from PETA for revolutionizing a meat-centered culture, transforming traditional Filipino dishes into amazing delicious vegan variations. Personal touches throughout the cookbook make readers feel as though they are in her family’s kitchen, including Chef Reina’s heartwarming dedication to her ‘Lola’.

The self-taught chef was born and raised in Dumaguete City on the Philippine island of Negros, which is where the cultural inspiration of her recipes comes from. Reina Montenegro then moved to the Bay Area in 1997.

Chef Reina’s career in the food industry began after she left ten years of the corporate world behind and decided to follow her passion for cooking in 2012. She began as a personal chef and caterer and then opened her first restaurant in 2016. Chef Reina and her business partner realized that the business was failing, so she changed the restaurant’s theme to include plant-based ingredients and a cruelty-free lifestyle. Her business increased from sales around $50.00 per day to over $2,000.00 per day and was even featured in Forbes. Today, she is the co-owner and chef of two successful Filipino vegan restaurants in the Bay Area, Nick’s On Grand and Nick’s On Mission.

Montenegro’s passions go beyond a love for food and health. She strives for culinary activism to convince hardcore meat eaters to try her vegan recipes. The response she gets is consistently positive; her customers cannot believe the plant-based meals are as flavorful as real meat. Shockingly, 60 percent of her customers are not even vegan.

Now, Chef Reina’s book will carry on her purpose to show the world that it is not difficult to eat a plant-based diet. Through her recipes, Chef Reina is able to teach families and everyday cooks in their own homes how easy cooking can be with the abundance and accessibility to vegan products today. She is very optimistic that this will only improve. Plant Based Filipino Comfort Classics will reach even more people beyond her restaurants, bringing vegan recipes to kitchens around the world.

Chef Reina says, “I am passionate about food, but I also care deeply about our world that is dying, the animals that we are hurting, and the loved ones we’ve lost due to health problems.” She adds, “I believe that all this can be changed drastically if everyone jumps into the bandwagon of giving up what is harmful to all these things. My goal is to create amazing comfort food for everyone and reach people this way, and to teach them quick and easy ways to do it, so there’s absolutely no excuse. I am here to save lives, one dish at a time.”

Reina Montenegro

Reina Montenegro was born and raised in Dumaguete City on the Philippine island of Negros, and moved to the Bay Area in 1997. Montenegro prides herself as being self-taught in the kitchen, and started her restaurant career as a personal chef and caterer in 2012 when she decided, after 10 years at a corporate job, to follow her passion for food and cooking.

Montenegro has created dishes for Mayors Jean Quan of Oakland, Tom Bates of Berkeley, and the late Ed Lee of San Francisco. She also catered events for Apple, NASA, UBER, Twitter, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock Investments, and more.

In 2016, her catering business eventually led to opening a restaurant, ‘Nick’ Kitchen’ in Daly City. A year later her and her partner realized it was not going to survive, so Montenegro changed the concept to be aligned with her plant-based diet and cruelty-free lifestyle; as the first Filipino Vegan restaurant in the Peninsula.

Now Montenegro owns two popular Filipino vegan restaurants in the Bay Area; ‘Nick’s On Grand’ (opened 2018 in South San Francisco), and ‘Nick’s On Mission’ (opened 2019 in San Francisco), the original Nick’s is no longer in operation. If Reina is not in the kitchen creating new dishes, she is spending time with her children or learning another passion, dance.

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All Things Beautiful Come From Nature – WASO Superfoods for Super Skin

by on ·Asian, Beauty, Los Angeles, San Diego, WorldWide

Asian beauties seem to be more and more popular. As a girl originally come from Asia, I always trust the way how Asian take care of our skin. When I was growing up, I watched how my family do the skincare routine everyday. My mom, my cousin, my aunts, all of them love Japanese skincare brand, especially Shiseido, which is definitely the most popular and legendary Asian skincare brand well known internationally.

I am so happy to announce the re-launch of Shiseido’s WASO line inspired by Japanese Superfoods. Originating from a combination of two Japanese words, “WA” meaning harmony, and “SO” meaning inspiration, the WASO line combines Japanese aesthetics with nature to create exclusively formulated skincare.

Inspired by the holistic and natural Japanese food tradition of Washoku – or Japanese cuisine – WASO features key ingredients selectively chosen for their purity and celebrated in their simplest forms. Featuring a simple and minimalist line-up of products that take a unique approach, fusing nature and technology, to bring out natural beauty. This line is designed specifically for unstable, unbalanced skin in young adults, ages 18-25.

Washoku respects the uniqueness of each ingredient and maximizes its natural flavor. Born based on this philosophy, WASO uses the power of foods and botanicals known to promote beauty and health in Japan, unveiling skin’s most unique, natural beauty. Shiseido’s PhytoResist System+ is designed for unstable young adult skin – plump and lush inside, yet sensitive to stress outside. This system uses the power of botanicals to heighten skins barrier and support its ability to self-renew.

WASO’s moisturizers use Whole Cell Release System W – a revolutionary process in which nutrients are carefully extracted and delivered directly to the skin, infusing it with moisture. Each product is dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic, paraben-free and mineral oil-free so skin can breathe easy. Good for all skin types.

The key ingredients are Superfoods. Created with respect for nature, aesthetic, and culture, the product range is formulated with botanicals and includes superfoods like carrot, loquat, honey, tofu yuzu and red basil to help balance, hydrate and prevent the appearance of imperfections.

Clear Mega-Hydrating Cream
$38 for 50mI

A clear cream that moisture-charges your skin for 24-hours and helps reduce the look of pores and prevent dryness. Formulated with whole Carrot Cells, the nutrients are carefully extracted to keep their wholeness harnessed and to help hydrate skin. Carrots are high in water and nutrients that keep skin looking healthy and moisturized.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free.

  • PhytoResist System+ uses the power of botanicals to help heighten skin’s resistance to internal and external stressors while infusing rich moisture.
  • Can be used under or over makeup.
  • Helps reduce the look of visible pores and improve dryness.

Japanese carrot Quick Gentle Cleanser
$28 for 150ml

An alcohol-free, oil-free, honey-gel cleanser that foams without water to remove makeup while removing dirt and excess oil. Formulated with honey and royal jelly extracts, this gentle cleanser rinses off clean and nurtures skin by protecting its moisture. Skin feels soft, clean and healthy-looking to prevent the appearance of imperfections.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Oil-free. Alcohol-free.

  • Formulated with Honey Extract to nurture the skin for a healthy look.
  • Contains Royal Jelly Extract to deliver amino acids, vitamins and minerals to skin’s surface for added moisture.
  • Helps reduce the appearance of skin troubles.

Japanese Honey Color-Smart Day Moisturizer
Oil-Free Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
$38 for 50ml

An oil-free, skin-brightening tinted day moisturizer that adapts to your skin color to enhance skin tone. Helps protect skin against UV rays with long-lasting, oil-free hydration. Blends into skin with freshness, leaving a non-sticky matte finish. Formulated with whole Loquat Leaf Cells, which are carefully extracted to keep their wholeness harnessed for an anti-oxidant effect and to help balance skin’s oil levels. Loquat leaf has an antioxidant effect that is known to help suppress sebum breakdown.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Oil-free.

  • PhytoResist System+ uses the power of botanicals to help heighten skin’s resistance to internal and external stressors while also infusing rich moisture.
  • Helps reduce the look of pores.
  • Anti-Pollution Powder to help skin resist the effects of pollution.

Beauty Sleeping Mask
$40 for 80ml

An intensive gel moisture wrap made with yuzu citrus, replenishes and recharges your skin overnight. Delivers dewy hydration to skin that has lost moisture and clarity due to stress and lack of sleep.

Inspired by Washoku, a Japanese food tradition, WASO is formulated with Washoku ingredients to help balance and build skin’s resistance to problems, hydrate skin, and target oiliness and pores.

Experience a total moisture wrap with a juicy, dewy gel cream. Capsules burst open and immerse skin in moisture until morning. The result is a radiant, healthy looking complexion that is energized from within. Features PhytoResist System+ which helps to clean up pores and removes impurities that cause roughness and breakouts. Clarifies and resets skin stressed by exposure to dirt and pollutants.

Purifying Peel Off Mask
$32 for 100ml

A skin-resetting mask with the botanical power of red shiso that peels away dirt, pollutants and other sources of breakouts without stripping skin of moisture. Reveals pure, smooth looking skin glowing with renewed radiance.

Inspired by Washoku, a Japanese food tradition, WASO is formulated with Washoku ingredients to help balance and build skin’s resistance to problems, hydrate skin, and target oiliness and pores.

Contains Anti-Pollution Powder and features PhytoResist System+ which helps to clean up pores and removes impurities that cause roughness and breakouts. Clarifies and resets skin stressed by exposure to dirt, pollutants.

Color-Smart Day Moisturizer
Broad Spectrum SPF 30
$38 for 50mI

A skin-brightening, tinted day moisturizer that adapts to your skin color to enhance skin tone with long-lasting hydration. Helps protect skin against UV rays and environmental stressors while improving the look of pores. Formulated with whole Carrot Cells, the nutrients are carefully extracted to keep their wholeness harnessed and to help hydrate skin. Carrots are high in water content and nutrients that keep skin looking healthy.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free.

  • PhytoResist System+ uses the power of botanicals to help heighten skin’s resistance to internal and external stressors while also infusing rich moisture.
  • Blends into skin leaving a hydrated feel for a healthy glow or foundation kick-start.
  • Anti-Pollution Powder to help skin resist the effects of pollution.

Soft+Cushy Polisher
$32 for 75mI

A gentle, skin-refining exfoliating polish that removes impurities in an environmentally friendly formula. Gently polishes and clears pores to help reduce skin imperfections with biodegradable, plant-based cellulose granules in a whipped, tofu-like formula. Leaves skin feeling silky and smooth. Formulated with tofu, made from soybeans to help smooth and support skin.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic.

  • Formulated with three different types of scrubbing agents to give skin a beautiful smooth look and feel.
  • Helps reduce the appearance of skin troubles.
  • Sebum Absorbing Powder helps absorb excess sebum for smooth, non-oily skin, while minimizing visible pores.

Fresh Jelly Lotion
$30 for 150ml

This gel-to-liquid softening lotion is alcohol-free and helps restore skin’s moisture by locking in water for dewy, plump skin. Formulated with White Jelly Mushroom Extract to deliver rich moisture for healthy-looking skin. This refreshing gel formula helps reduce the appearance of visible pores and reduce shine. A perfect moisturizing solution for skin that has just been cleansed.

For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free. Alcohol-free.

  • Helps optimize skin’s pH balance for a beautiful appearance.

Skincare inspired by the holistic and natural Japanese food tradition of Washoku. WASO Skincare uses key ingredients like carrot, loquat, honey, tofu yuzu and white jelly mushroom to help balance, hydrate and prevent the appearance of imperfections. The new WASO Collection perfect to bring with you on-the-go to school, work, gym…anywhere! WASO Collection is exclusively available at Sephora and Sephora.com from May 17th 2019.

 

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The Holiday Bokksu! “Snow Festival” Featuring Hokkaido Delicacies

by on ·Asian, Health, New York, WorldWide

When you see Bokksu in the title, I believe you don’t feel strange of this name. I wrote an article in the summer to talk about this amazing real Japanese snack subscription. The first time I opened the box of Bokksu, I was totally amazed by how many snacks they have, and all of them come from Japan! As a girl who grows up in east Asia, Japanese snacks are always my forever favorite snacks.

Now the holiday is coming, let us see what do they have to this special occasion. As you know, Bokksu invites curious individuals to explore Japanese Culture through snacks. The only gourmet snack boxed sourced and curated directly from Japan, friends and families love gathering around their Bokksu every month and trying the unique flavors of these premium Japanese snacks.

Bokksu Holiday Offerings

The Limited Edition Bokksu x Bento&Co. with a collectible Bento box – $79
The Classic Bokksu – $39 (less with subscription)
Tasting Bokksu – $25 (less with subscription)
Milk Mochi
Theme: Snow Festival – Featuring the Snacks of Hokkaido 
Immerse yourself into a winter wonderland of delicious flavors with the Holiday themed Bokksu featuring Hokkaido delicacies. The Holiday Bokksu is the first to feature a pristine white and gold box, with limited edition gourmet Bento boxes available. Hokkaido, due to its unique climate and agricultural focus, is renowned for its wide variety of gourmet cuisines and artisanal delicacies. 
Hokkaido is a veritable foodie paradise! 
Mimosa of Snow White Chocolate and Cheddar Snack
White Chocolate infused Organic Qua Strawberry – available in the US only through Bokksu
Potato Butter Rice Crackers
Hoshino Hojicha
The December Bokksu features innovative new snacks including the Mimosa of Snow White Chocolate and Cheddar Cheese bars, alongside all-star favorite Bokksu classics such as the White Strawberry, a delectable organic strawberry which has been carefully preserved with and infused with White Chocolate for a delicately tart and sweet confection unlike anything you have tasted. Delicate melt in your mouth savory snacks include the Milk Mochi and the Potato Butter Rice Crackers. The Holiday Bokksu also includes their brand new private label Mikon Orange Candy and a warming Hojicha Green Tea Latte pairing from gourmet maker Hoshino. 
This is my box!
So excited to see all these lovely snacks, everyone looks cute and delicious. But I am going to bring them to parent’s place to share this with my family at Christmas. Of course I will wrap it up, letting the kids open it. I already can imagine how happy the kids will be to see these unique snacks from Japan! This is a great Christmas gift idea for your family as well, because who doesn’t love beautiful snacks?
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The Top Five Fashion School In The World – MILKX HongKong Magazine

by on ·Asian, New York, WorldWide

Lulu’s 5 illustration pieces are featured on Milkx HongKong Magazine, about the top 5 fashion schools in the world.

The cover of the magazine is a group member of TFBoys – Yuan Wang. TFBoys is also one of Lulu’s favorite boy bands.

The whole spreadsheet features Lulu’s five illustrations of the fashion schools.

Lulu is so happy to draw her school- Fashion Institute of Technology- where she graduated at 2017 from Illustration MFA program.

Other than FIT, the other four fashion school include:

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

ANTWERP ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

If you want to know more about Lulu’s art, you can check her website. qululululu.com.

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Celebrate Bar Pa Tea One Year Anniversary With Lulu’s Art

by on ·Asian, New York, WorldWide

To commemorate its first anniversary, Bar Pa Tea is collaborating with artist Yueming Lulu Qu on an art series titled “Celebrate.” Inspired by Bar Pa Tea and its home city, the pieces feature New York’s diverse personalities through its distinct inhabitants and iconic landmarks, unified by their shared penchant for constant reinvention and, of course, bubble tea.

Here are some photos of the One Year Anniversary Celebration Night at July 26th!

ABOUT YUEMING LULU QU

Art, fashion, passion, love, food, multi-cultural melting pot…this is how we often describe our city, no? Our city has millions of stories going on within every block every day. Don’t you agree we are so lucky to live in an amazing city that brings so many inspirations? I do.

Four years ago, I moved from Beijing for graduate study at Fashion Institute of Technology; this accounts for my second MFA – if there were such a thing as a PHD in Illustration I would pursue it. My first was an MFA in traditional Chinese Painting from Central Academy of Fine Arts. For Chinese painting, I use ink, gouache and soft brushes, which I still use in my current illustrations. Similar to how America brings all cultures together, I use traditional Chinese painting methods to illustrate New York City’s modern topics; predominantly fashion lifestyles and our beloved city landscapes. I think of fashion lifestyle as not only about high fashion during certain weeks, but more importantly about anyone who loves their life with a sense of pride. They are positive, they are kind, they are beautiful inside out, they are bravely chasing their dreams, and of course they have their own unique fashion styles.

Education: 

Fashion Institute of Technology

The Central Academy of Fine Arts (Beijing, China)

Minzu University of China

Website:

www.qululululu.com

Instagram

@qululululu

ABOUT BAR PA TEA

Patrick showcases flavor over sweetness at Bar Pa Tea, creating a more healthful alternative to the original beverage without compromising the distinct taste and experience of traditional bubble tea. The recipes feature tapioca pearls that are free of additives and drinks sweetened with pure cane sugar instead of corn syrup.

Bar Pa Tea provides a menu of highly customizable drinks, allowing the customer to adjust sweetness in increments and choose whether they would prefer it hot or cold. Bar Pa Tea even offers alternatives to the traditional tapioca pearls, most notably their signature “miniature bubbles.”

The selected menu showcases the flagship’s favorite and most popular items, creating a uniquely refined bubble tea experience.

Those who share Patrick’s love for both the nostalgia of bubble tea and the goal of a healthful lifestyle will find true satisfaction in the choices that Bar Pa Tea offers.

Location:  85 KENMARE ST, NEW YORK, NY 10012

 

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Best Eyeshadow Palettes Under $25

by on ·Asian, Austin, Australia, Baltimore, Beauty, Bitty, Chicago, Fashion, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Eyeshadows have ruled the makeup world for some time now. Everyone needs that perfect neutral shade for daily wear or that risqué color for a night out. If you are looking to try out some great new shades without breaking the bank, here are some of my favorite eyeshadow palettes under $25.

Morphe’s 9A Always Golden Eyeshadow Palette

These nine golden shades in the Morphe 9A Always Golden Eyeshadow Palette are sure to take you places, faux real. Crazy-creamy, powerfully pigmented, beyond-blendable eyeshadows perfect for some fun in the sun or some fake-it-til-you-make-it action. Choose your own color adventure. But one thing’s for sure; you’ll never run out of ways to turns heads.

Price: $12.00

Essence’s All About Toffee Eyeshadow Palette

This Gorgeous Essence All About Toffee Eyeshadow Palette has eight complementing, buildable colors and multiple finishes; satin, matte and metallic effects. It blends easily and the colors will stay on all day! Perfect palette for everyday wear.

Price: $5.49

Covergirl’s Goldens TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette

CoverGirl’s Goldens TruNaked Eye Shadow Palette has a stunning range of neutral shades for your perfect nude eye look. Richly pigmented shadows in golden, and in a range of colors and textures – from neutrals to Smokeys and shimmers to mattes.

Price: $5.99

Makeup Revolution’s Iconic 1 Redemption Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Revolution’s Iconic 1 Redemption Eye Shadow Palette is a perfect mix of pearl, shimmer and matte shades. As comfortable and familiar as your favorite t-shirt, the bronzy tones of this palette will make you want to strip down and bare all (in the best way possible).

Price: $7.00

NYX’s Cosmic Metals Shadow Palette

Create a spectrum of out-of-this-world eye looks with the Cosmic Metals Shadow Palette – a new eyeshadow set inspired by NYX Professional Makeup Professional Makeup’s beloved Cosmic Metals Lip Cream. Powered by six pigment-packed eyeshadows, this gorgeous set loads your lids with rich, metallic color and incredible color payoff.
Price: $9.99

E.L.F.’s Online Only Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Achieve beautifully natural eye looks with these perfectly curated 10 neutral eyeshadow shades in the e.l.f. Cosmetics Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette. This collection of hues is ideal for shading, highlighting, and defining the eyes. These silky smooth shadows can be used as a liner, on the lid, and in the crease of the eye for an expertly contoured and blended look. Cruelty free and vegan.

Price: $10.00

Sleek Makeup’s Under A Spell Eyeshadow Palette

Create a variety of stunning looks with these 12 shades of mineral based, highly pigmented eyeshadow in the Sleek MakeUP Under A Spell Eyeshadow Palette.
Price: $12.99
BH Cosmetics Be… by BubzBeauty 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette
Known to her YouTube fans as BubzBeauty, Lindy Tsang hand-picked the must-have shades in her BH Cosmetics Be… by BubzBeauty 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette. Each shade offers day-to-night versatility – and emphasizes fans’ beauty, both inside and out.
Price: $14.50

Models Own’s Supernatural Eyeshadow Palette

Go to a parallel universe with this Models Own Supernatural Eyeshadow Palette. From dark secrets to sultry whispers, it’s totally bewitching. With the brush, apply metallic nudes, shimmer browns and rich golds for a look that’s out of this world.

Price: $17.99

 

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