Have you heard of Jeunesse Anion? It is a sanitary pad brand that incorporates anions. I am currently using it so I’ll be writing a review about it soon.

But anyway, last Thursday, we had a fun Zumba session at the Marriott Hotel organized by Jeunesse Anion, and a demo of easy, healthy, one-pan cooking recipes courtesy of Simply Cereal, Doña Elena Olive Oils, Clara Ole, and Al Dente Pasta.

Fun, Food, and Fitness with Jeunesse Anion

Jeunesse Anion stays true to its advocacy – to provide sanitary pads and liners that help to do more for your wellness, by empowering women to get into the habit with practical healthy living upgrades.

Zumba with the Dancing Queen, Ms. Regine Tolentino

Maintaining a healthy weight has always been a challenge for me because I love to try new food. In the past, I was able to unintentionally keep active because I had to walk a lot – to the jeepney stop, to the FX station, to the LRT, to the Glorietta for retail therapy after work. The hassle of traffic and finding parking in Makati provided me with a walking lifestyle because I chose to commute instead.

When I stopped working in Makati, getting a little daily exercise wasn’t natural anymore, and the thought of getting dressed and suffering through traffic just to get to a gym, then doing the reverse again to go home, was too much of a deterrent.

So last Thursday, when I had my first ever Zumba class, led by Ms. Regine Tolentino herself, I realized that it is possible to stay fit without too much hassle. The Zumba class was fun, the moves were easy — there were no burpees or anything like that; no complicated equipment required. It was just happy dancing and a little hip hop! And yet I felt my metabolism go up and can actually feel the fat melting off my belly. I can totally do this at home for 10-20 minutes a day! There are many of Regine’s Zumba videos on Youtube that I can follow.

Ms. Regine Tolentino is the country’s “Dance Diva,” and a strong influencer in the dance fitness industry who proves that it’s one of the best ways to recharge our batteries. Regine is a licensed Zumba® and U-Jam® Fitness instructor, and certified by the AFAA (Athletic and Fitness Association of America).

 

Guilt-Free and Easy-Peasy One-Pan Meals

We also learned some new, healthy, easy recipes! Len Santos-Ding, mom chef instructor, believes that a deliciously healthy meal doesn’t have to be boring. She incorporates real and whole ingredients in her recipes that are not hard to prepare at all.

Len teaches at Heny Sison Culinary School, contributes recipes to Yummy magazine, and holds regular cooking and baking workshops in the Feed 5000 Kitchen Studio at Ayala Alabang Village.

“Preparing healthy meals start from grocery shopping. Choose food that is real and fresh but just as satisfying. It should give you energy throughout the day,” she added. Len’s tip: Choose easy-to-prepare recipes so you don’t get discouraged halfway through and opt for fast food.

We were able to sample these 3 recipes during the event. The recipes all incorporate a lot of fresh ingredients, fiber, and are very easy to do – the Peanut Butter, Muesli and Fruit Parfait is an easy breakfast you can prepare the night before and chill in the fridge, ready for morning! The Golden Quinoa and Bokchoy Salad is nutritious and done in 15 minutes. The One-Pot Cheesy Pesto and Vegetable Pasta is a pasta dish you can do in one pot – no pre-boiling of the pasta needed, – less cleanup!

Here are the recipes she shared with us:

Peanut Butter, Muesli and Fruit Parfait
Serves: 1

Ingredients:
6 tbsps blueberries
2 tbsps peanut butter
4 tbsps plain yogurt
1 sliced banana
1/2 cup Simply Cereal Apple & Cranberry Muesli

Directions:

1. Whisk together the peanut butter and yogurt.
2. In an individual serving bowl or water goblet, layer half of the bananas. Top with 3 Tbsps of blueberries. Top with half the yogurt mixture and sprinkle with 3 tbsps of muesli. Repeat to make 2 layers.
3. Keep it chilled until serving time.

Golden Quinoa and Bokchoy Salad
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tbsps Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2-cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup (170 g) uncooked quinoa
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups water or vegetable stock
1/2 cup red and green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup purple cabbage, julienned
1/2 cup chopped flat parsley
2 bundles bokchoy, sliced thinly
1/2 tsp grated dried shiitake mushroom

Citrus Dressing:
juice and zest of 1 small lemon
juice and zest of 1 orange
2 Tbsp Dona Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garnish:
1/4 cup mandarin oranges, drained

Directions:

1. Put quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under running water until water runs clear.
2. Heat oil in a saucepot over medium heat. Saute garlic. Add mushrooms and cook for about a minute. Add quinoa. Add more oil if needed. Quinoa grains must be coated with oil so it will be fluffy when cooked. Let it simmer then cook for about 15 minutes.
3. Once cooked, add the bell peppers, purple cabbage, flat parsley and bokchoy. Grate some dried shiitake on top for added umami. Cover so vegetables will soften in the steam as you make the dressing.
4. To make the dressing, whisk together lemon juice, orange juice and olive oil. Or you may put the ingredients in a small bottle and shake well. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour over the salad while still hot. Add mandarin oranges. It may be served hot, room temperature or cold.

One-Pot Cheesy Pesto and Vegetable Pasta
Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 ½ to 3 cups broth or water
120 g Doña Elena Al Dente Spaghetti, uncooked
1 small onion, julienned
1 cup (60 g) broccoli florets
½ cup (30 g) asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
4 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
pinch of red pepper flakes
½ tsp sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsps Doña Elena Pure or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ cup (80 g) green peas
½ cup Clara Ole Cheesy Pesto Sauce
3 Tbsps grated parmesan cheese
1 cup greens (kale, arugula, malunggay leaves)

Optional: 100 g peeled shrimps

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add 2 ½ cups broth, spaghetti, onions, broccoli, asparagus, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Drzizle with Dona Elena Olive Oil and set over high heat.
2. Once it starts to boil, set the timer to 7 minutes. Toss once in a while using tongs.
3. After 7 minutes, pasta should be almost cooked. If broth is drying out, add ½ cup more. Add peas and Clara Ole Cheesy Pesto. *You may add shrimps at this point if you wish.
4. Once it’s done, adjust seasoning if needed. Toss in greens such as malunggay leaves. Add grated parmesan cheese.

Jeunesse Anion understands that moms have a plateful of things to do both at home and at work, but being busy is not an excuse. Besides, we think that being at our absolute best self is the ultimate gift we can give to our family. And when during that special time of the month comes, make sure you’re armed with Jeunesse Anion sanitary napkin and liner that helps to eliminate bacteria, odor, and relieve menstrual discomforts such as cramps and dysmenorrhea. Since it’s also the first anion sanitary napkin available in the retail market with quick absorbing top sheet and breathable material made of virgin pulp cotton, there’s actually no excuse to feel crappy about exercise or preparing your own meals. Also, its non-liniment material helps fight vaginal infections or irritations that’s guaranteed safe for pregnant women and new moms.

Wellgold International Inc. distributes Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and Liners and currently available at Watsons, selected Mercury Drug outlets, SM department store’s health and beauty section, Robinson’s Supermarket, Shopwise, Rustan’s, Waltermart, Landmark Department store, UP Town Center’s Merkado Department Store, PCX stores, selected Metro Gaisano outlets, selected LCC Malls in Bicol, plus other stores nationwide. You may also purchase it online via www.lazada.com.ph. For more information, log on to www.jeunesseanion.com and follow Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Jeunesse Anion.