Last December, Between Bites, together with Minute Maid, hosted a contest on the site: Opening a Minute Maid: Experience the Natural Goodness.  There were two parts to that contest.  One would win the Blog section, while the other would win the Comment section.

 

Last February, right before Valentines weekend, Minute Maid has announced the Blog winner.  It was the entry of Kate who won.

 

http://meowbykate.blogspot.com/2010/01/time-for-orange-break.html

 

I requested Kate to share with us a few photos of her “prize” experience. 

 

“I am actually quite embarrassed because there are no pictures of me.  I took pics of the room, the food we ate and the complimentary wine service.  I also took a thank you shot for Minute Maid.  Btw, we didn’t get to avail of the massage yet because it was scheduled the next day, meaning we would have checked out na.  We decided that we’d just save it for our 7th Anniversary this April

 

Anyway, thank you so much for hosting this contest   It was a really tiring week for us, since we came all the way from Clark and then drove to Makati to get the voucher.  The hotel stay plus wonderful breakfast buffet was a perfect way to end our Valentine’s weekend.”   ~Kate

 

Sharing Kate’s photos from her EDSA Shangri-la stay.  No photos though of Kate herself but she did take a “thank you” shot for Minute Maid.

 

 

 

Thank You Minute Maid!

  

Thanks Kate for joining the contest!   I hope you enjoyed your EDSA Shangri-la Chi Spa Holiday Package.

 

Related Post:

Opening a Minute Maid: Experience Natural Goodness

Last Call for Entries: Minute Maid

Minute Maid Refreshment Time Contest Blog Winner

Minute Maid Refreshment Time Contest Comment Winner

Minute Maid Comment Winner Soon

 

 

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Finally, they’ve picked a Comment winner!!!

 

 

Congratulations…

 

Comment:

Christian Homeschooler

 

A regular day for me starts with me fixing up breakfast for my boys and getting ready for homeschool. While I won’t have it any other way, it can still be tiring at times. Because the truth of the matter is, my day do not stop at homeschooling. I then have to prepare lunch and zero in on my online job thereafter. It can be crazy, I kid you not. Especially now that I have ventured into yet another online job, as a virtual assistant. This requires me to be glued to my office until the wee hours of the morning.

 

I’ll have to admit that it’s not always bright and shiny everyday. But I cannot be more thankful that I have discovered a partner that melts away my stress. Even during my “walang tulugan moments,” I’d find myself grabbing a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange. It somehow perks me up, switching me back to the timezone that I needed to be at a given moment. (Boss’ time zone is UTC-7 hours)

 

Minute Maid Pulpy Orange refreshes me at random parts of my ever packed days (and nights) — yes, even way after the hubby has gone to dreamland. =)

 

You just won The Spa package worth Php5,000. 

 

Congratulations in winning the Comments category of the ‘Minute Maid Get Closer to Nature’ contest. 

 

An acknowledgment email will be sent to you shortly on how to claim your prize.

 

Thank you to everyone who joined the Minute Maid contest.

 

Watch out for more exciting contests soon!!!

 

For the meantime, the Ovi contest is ongoing.  Check that out! 

You might be the lucky weekly winner!

 

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*Kindly requesting both winners, if it ain’t such an inconvenience, to send me a photo of their “prize” experience so I can share it with the other readers.  Much appreciated!  Congrats!

 

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I know, I know.  Waiting is an agony.  It’s been a while and the Blog winner has been announced weeks ago.  So what’s taking the delay?  Well, there are more Comment entries than the Blog entries for one –which the client has to evaluate thoroughly because there are just too many good entries that it’s really difficult to pick a winner.  I’m glad the decision is not in my shoulders since it’s really a tough call.

 

 

This is a short clip to update you that the client definitely hasn’t forgotten, but they are taking a bit more time in deciding.  Winners will be announced SOON.  Hold on to your seats!

 

Cheers!

 

And Good Luck Mates!

 

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And the winner for Week 1 is…

 

Francisco Sumio:

 

“On my recent visit to Bohol this month, I discOVIr an interesting sea creature, I’ve come to encounter “swaki”, I’m not sure of the correct spelling, if swake, suake, or suaki, but this sea urchin of the soft type are eaten by the locals.  In Virgin Islands, in Panglao Bohol a vendor came to us offering this swaki, you cut it into half and get the meat inside.  You can dip it in vinegar but is eaten straight from the sea.

 

 

It’s unusual type of seafood for me who grew up in Manila… It has salty flavor but it tastes good.

 

It’s quite an experience and a must try food.”

 

*Weekly winners can claim their prizes by visiting the Nuffnang office at Bonifacio High Street.  Kindly look for Judd Sta. Maria.

Please expect an acknowledgment email/SMS from Judd notifying you as the winner. 

 

Congratulations!

 

Join this week’s contest: Week 2: Must-Visit Travel Destinations

 

and win a PHP 1,000 Ayala eGC!

 

http://www.janedchua.com/2010/02/17/contest-alert-get-some-ovi-love/

 

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Ovi you?  Ovi me?  Let’s Ovi everybody!

 

Between Bites is giving away a total of five Ayala electronic gift certificates worth Php 1,000 each from today until March 2010!  If you want to win, all you have to do is share your “Must-Try DiscOviries for 2010,” and get the chance to win an eGC.  Every week there will be a theme for the entries:

 

Week 1: Must-try food/dining places.

(February 18-24, 2010, Thursday-Wednesday)

 

Week 2: Must-visit travel destinations.

(February 25-March 3, 2010, Thursday-Wednesday)

 

Week 3: Must-have items (clothes, shoes, toys, gadgets).

(March 4-10, 2010, Thursday-Wednesday)

 

Week 4: Must-watch movies.

(March 11-17, 2010, Thursday-Wednesday)

 

Week 5: Must-try activities.

(March 18-24, Thursday-Wednesday)

 

To join, register for a free Ovi account at http://www.ovi.com/ and use your new Ovi email account to send your name, mobile number, and your Must-Try Discoviry to janedchua@ovi.com.

 

These weekly contests will be from Thursday to Wednesday.  Between Bites will be announcing winners Thursdays of every following week.  Each weekly winner will receive a Php 1,000 Ayala eGC!

 

This contest is sponsored by Nokia Ovi.

 

Share your DiscOviry!

 

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Thank you to everyone who joined the Minute Maid “Refreshment Time” contest. It is a difficult process to choose the Blog or Comment winner because there are quite a number of good entries.  I’m glad that the very tough decision wasn’t on my hands but on the hands of the sponsor.

 

Minute Maid is still in the process of picking the winner for the comments portion but they’ve already released today the Blog Winner…

 

 

I’m so excited to announce that Kate De Dios is our winner!!!

 

http://meowbykate.blogspot.com/2010/01/time-for-orange-break.html

An acknowledgment email will be sent to your registered mail.

 

Between Bites and Minute Maid give BIG THANKS to all the contest participants.

 

Congratulations meowbykate!

Enjoy your EDSA Shangrila overnight stay and the Chi Spa Package!

(Me *green* with envy hee-hee)

 

Stay tuned for the Comment winner!

Goodluck everyone!!!!

 

XOXO,

Jane

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I’m not a big fan of flowers (maybe once in 2 years –and it has to be my favorite ones).  Flowers wither and die, like seeing money shrivel.  Yesterday after lunch though, somebody delivered “flowers in a pot” in the office.  I love dark chocolate and if it grows in pots looking like flowers, I’ll put on the gloves and become a farmer.

 

 

I know what chocolates I’d be snacking on in the weeks to come  

 

 

HUGE.

 

*Thanks GM and Toblerone!

 

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Hola Minute Maid Drinkers!!! 

 

 

I’ve received quite a number of entries.  It’s not too late to send in yours.  You have until TOMORROW to blog or comment and grab a chance to WIN the prizes below:

 

Prizes: 

BEST BLOG – 1 winner of a Shangri-La Chi Spa overnight holiday package worth Php20,000 (Good for 2:  Yin Yang Harmonising Massage at Chi Spa, overnight stay at Tower Wing Superior Room, Buffet breakfast at HEAT)

 

BEST COMMENT – 1 winner of The Spa package worth Php5,000 (Good for 2:  Executive Herbal body massage at The Spa Fort and dinner at CAV Wine Shop-Café Fort)

 

YOU may be indulging in your private retreat in the heart of the city.

 

To be fair to all who joined, I will round up a panel that consists of 5 judges (Jane not included) who will determine the winner based on the scores they will give on the criteria below.  GOODLUCK mates!!!

 

***UPDATE (Feb 3, 2010)*** Minute Maid will choose the Blog and Comment winners.

 

Contest Link

 

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Short Recap

 

“When do you refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange?” CONTEST ALERT

 

Hear Ye!  Hear Ye!  Between Bites readers and fellow bloggers in the community!  Share your refreshing stories with Minute Maid and stand to win amazing prizes!   Awesome, huh?  Simple, too.

 

Blog Entry:

The contest is open to all Philippine resident bloggers.

Blog about, “When do you refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange?”

You may include photos and/or videos.

Publish your blog post and e-mail the blog entry URL with your name, address, mobile number, and e-mail address to betweenbites@gmail.com

 

Comment Entry:

The contest is open to all Philippine resident readers of ‘Between Bites’.

Post your suggestion on when to refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange.

Leave your real name (first name will do) and register a valid e-mail address on the Comments section of ‘Between Bites,’ particularly under this entry.

 

Judging Criteria:

 

                Creativity (50%)

                Relevance to the theme – “Refreshment time” (50%)

 

Contest Duration: December 28, 2009 – January 29, 2010

 

For more details:  CLICK HERE

 

 

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There are a multitude of things we enjoy about life.  The naked truth is… the biggest pleasure, most often that not, comes from the simplest things.  Simple.  Natural.  Fun.  Three words when mixed together in a moment can get me (or the Black Eyed Peas) singing, “I got a feeling… woo-hoo… that tonight’s gonna be a good night.”  In another breath, these words can easily improve your outlook and make you feel good.

 

 

For some people, fun means drinking beer and partying at events –but that doesn’t necessarily make you feel good all the time.  When I think about fun, I remember doing the thrilling Sky Jump at the Macau Tower.  That was some ultimate fun coupled with extreme adrenaline rush.  Trust me, nothing beats natural high. 

 

And nothing beats natural pulp.

 

Thirsty?  Open a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange –it’s the simplest way to catch the natural goodness of my favorite fruit.  With Minute Maid Pulpy Orange, I enjoy the refreshing juice drink all year round.  Each plump pulp bits contain nature’s best and only Minute Maid Pulpy Orange can bring Nature’s goodness to me.

 

 

Preference always goes to the real pulp than a mock one like a real hug is always better than an icon hug in my mobile phone or instant messaging chats. 

 

 

In fact, it’s the best.  If I can open a bottle of real hug when I need one, I definitely buy in boxes.  Nonetheless, I get much satisfaction in knowing that the next best thing to enjoying actual fruit juice, without having to pick and grind, is opening a bottle of real pulpy Minute Maid Pulpy Orange or Mango Orange.

 

 

How about you, when do you refresh with Minute Maid?

  

 “When do you refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange?” CONTEST ALERT

 

Hear Ye!  Hear Ye!  Between Bites readers and fellow bloggers in the community!  Share your refreshing stories with Minute Maid and stand to win amazing prizes!   Awesome, huh?  Simple, too.

 

Blog Entry:

The contest is open to all Philippine resident bloggers.

Blog about, “When do you refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange?”

You may include photos and/or videos.

Publish your blog post and e-mail the blog entry URL with your name, address, mobile number, and e-mail address to betweenbites@gmail.com

 

Comment Entry:

The contest is open to all Philippine resident readers of ‘Between Bites’.

Post your suggestion on when to refresh with Minute Maid Pulpy Orange.

Leave your real name (first name will do) and register a valid e-mail address on the Comments section of ‘Between Bites,’ particularly under this entry.

 

Judging Criteria:

 

                Creativity (50%)

                Relevance to the theme – “Refreshment time” (50%)

 

Contest Duration: December 28, 2009 – January 29, 2010

 

Prizes: 

BEST BLOG – 1 winner of a Shangri-La Chi Spa overnight holiday package worth Php20,000 (Good for 2:  Yin Yang Harmonising Massage at Chi Spa, overnight stay at Tower Wing Superior Room, Buffet breakfast at HEAT)

 

BEST COMMENT – 1 winner of The Spa package worth Php5,000 (Good for 2:  Executive Herbal body massage at The Spa Fort and dinner at CAV Wine Shop-Café Fort)

 

YOU may be indulging in your private retreat in the heart of the city.

 

 

 

 

JOIN NOW!

 

 

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GlutaMAX – The New Me

 

Friends, even newfound ones, often remark that I’m noticeably such a happy person.  I wasn’t always like this before.

 

 

 A Vibrant and Visibly Happy Change!

(35 lbs and a couple of shades lighter and happier)

 

Switch to a Lighter You!

 

What’s my beauty secret?

 

Growing up, my dreams were countless.  There were so many things I wanted to do with my life.  At 21, I was already going through a mid-life crisis –castigating myself for not finishing law school.  Feelings of being unappreciated and identity loss in a previous relationship also gave a jarful of insecurity, inadequacy and anxiety.  I was stricken with fear of trying new things at the risk of failure again.

 

  

It didn’t help that I gained almost 30 lbs during a month-long study program in Osaka and Tokyo Japan that brought me to slip to this unhealthy and unhappy persona.  Since I am not supermodel tall (fine, I’m not even average tall ), being 132 lbs was not the comfortable weight for my height. 

 

 

I had a hard time buttoning my pants, my shirts/tops/dresses became too tight and much emphasis was put on my mid-section that people usually mistake me for being preggers.  My skin also started deteriorating.  Uneven skin tone and dark spots loom on my face.

 

 

I used to dress up in pricey cloaks that I thought covered the untidy chaos within me.  They say shopping is retail therapy –but no amount of shopping can silence the noise inside.

 

One day, I stripped myself naked of the things that were weighing me down.  No more excessiveness, no more self-doubt and fears, or discontentment.  No more measuring myself up to others.  I wrote every word that was negative in me on different rocks and pitched them out the distant sea. 

 

 

It was like taking it out of my system and hurling it away from me.  It was symbolic and therapeutic.  Try it, it is quite a release.  A creative one in fact.  Very ceremonial.  The healing began.

 

 

I even let go of the relationship that I felt impeded my growth.  I welcomed the independence and newfound strength.  I didn’t find the need for striking clothes or late night drinks either. 

 

 

Setting a goal

I started working out diligently at the gym, boxing, cardio-running and toning.  It was very therapeutic to sweat out at the gym and sauna.  I was slowly returning to my comfortable weight. 

 

 

Detoxify

I scheduled a fruit diet day at least once a week to cleanse my digestive system.  Living a healthy lifestyle is the way to go.  Fast foods are excessive in oil.  Junk food only supplied unnecessary calories. 

 

Craft

No matter how difficult life can be.  Happiness is a choice.  The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything.  They just try to make the best of everything.  Shaping your body is achieved by working out.  Happiness is achieved by shaping our mind to be positive and see the best in life and in people.  It is very lifting to observe all the wonderful things around us.  An honest smile.  Tender hug.  A family to come home to.  A peso in your pocket.  An old photograph.  Another couple in love.  I even greet my problems with a smile –it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow and test the mettle of my strength.  Yes, I feel low from time to time, but it’s no big deal.  I know that in due time, I will be happy again just as surely as the sun rises in the morning.

 

 

Knowing yourself

Self-realization sets in and instead of distinguishing who or what I am not, I began appreciating who I actually am.  Loving yourself is the wisdom to loving other people.  Self-esteem frees us from self-consciousness and self-doubt.  A sound self-esteem allows us to experiment, innovate and try and try again to achieve our goals.  Failures won’t be the gauge anymore of accomplishments, but self-worth is by now my claim of victory.

 

 

The less I care about seeking approval, the more approval I seem to get.  People are drawn to those with a quiet, inner confidence, people who don’t need to make themselves look good, or be “right” all the time, or steal the glory.  Most people love a person who doesn’t need to brag, a person who shares from his or her heart and not from his or her ego or image. 

 

 

It was quite the breakout year for me.  Sheer confidence got me trying out adventure races and a new career path. 

 

 

I took up new hobbies like photography.  I found my wanderlust spirit and traveled to different local and international destinations. 

 

 

And the most wonderful of it all, Love also found me. 

 

                     

We became each other’s source of friendship, inspiration and companionship.  We always enjoy the time when we are together –even to something as ordinary as standing in line or listening to music in the car.  He makes me feel like a natural woman –loving me for every flaw and appreciates me for every inch of my being. 

 

 

The Secret – Clarity

Beautiful skin starts from within.  With a peaceful mind and a happy heart, natural beauty will radiate easily off you.  While staying content, we always strive for excellence.  In the pursuit of perfection, I was introduced to a product that knows skin best.  The new Glutamax Lightening Soap scrubs away my unwanted spots and blemishes while it gently whitens the skin, leaving me feeling fresh and smooth (and smelling great too!).  Taking OUT the dark in me, the transformation turned complete when my skin became lighter as well.  It is so in sync when I feel lighter both inside and outside.  Glutamax effortlessly matches my fresh and vibrant outlook in life. 

 

In mind, body and skin, be completely transformed to the NEW YOU! 

 

Feed the world good energy and good things will gravitate toward you.  Shine with a positive attitude and attract the cheerful vibe.   Glow in love and in beautiful skin too… with Glutamax, lovely and vibrant white skin is at our fingertips. 

 

I fill my heart with love and my mind positive things, and I see the face of success every time I look in the mirror.

 

 (The secret to clarity: Glutamax -Reduced Glutathione Dietary Supplement 500mg. 

Pop it and Radiate )

 

Glutamax, see the results!

 

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*This is my official entry to the Nuffnang/Glutamax The New Me contest.