Lite Alternatives: Healthy Choices that are Light on the Budget

Lite Snacks and Shakes

Fresh fruit juices and shakes have started to gain popularity. One of our cheaper options is Thirsty? Juices and Shakes. At P50.00 a cup you get a protein supplement from pure Designer Whey.

Ice Monster started during the summer of 2003, and has gained recognition due to their sumptuous ice desserts with an assortment of toppings. I especially like Blueberry and Peaches, the combination not only looks good but it’s also delicious.

I used to think that pizza without meat would be tasteless, but with the Mad Scramble Pizza of Di’ Marks’ I was proven wrong. The blending of flavors from the mushroom, olives, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes make you forget that there is no meat in it. At P170.00 you get great tasting pizza that is good for two so go ahead and share with a friend.

Hello kababayan, will you help us in our search for cheaper options? Email cheaperoptions@ymail.com for your tips and suggestions.

Store Name	Bestsellers	Lite Alternative	Price	Main Ingredients	Phone
Thirsty? Juices & Shakes	Fruit Juices	Designer Whey	P50.00 (16 oz.)	Pure Designer Whey	(632)9111966
Chillato	Fruit Juices	Supercharger	P95.00 (16 oz.)	mango, strawberry, grape, low-fat yogurt, non-fat milk, Spirulina (Bluegreen algae)	(632)8908069
Cerealicious	Cereals	Apple-O 13	P85.00 (blockbuster bowl)	fitnesse cereal, apple, almond, cinnamon, offers low-fat and soymilk	(632)4138320
Ice Monster	Cookies and Cream Ice, Brownie Fudge Ice	Blueberry and Peaches	P95.00 (regular)	blueberry, peaches toppings on ice shavings	(632)7255256
Fazoli’s	Spaghetti, Pasta, Pizza, Lasagna	Cheese Pizza	P55.00 (for 1-2 persons)	mozzarella cheese on thin crust	(632)4210416
Royal Caribbean Jamaican Patties	Jamaican patties	Spinach Power	P55.00	spinach and mushrooms	(632) 842-5680
Ditzy Diner	Crispy Chicken Tenders, Buffalo Wings, Hungarian Bites, Ditzy Burger	Nachos with Salsa	P70.00	Tortilla chips, pico-de gallo salsa, grated cheese	(632)5842979
Ebisu	Yakiniku – Grilled Special	Korokke (Chicken Croquettes)	P75.00	chicken, corn, pumpkin	(632)6877806
Di Marks	Mad Scramble Pizza	Vegetarian Pizza	P170.00 (for 1-2 persons)	mushrooms, green and black olives, green peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes	(632)7236008
Greenwich Pizza	Pizza, Pasta	Garden Fresh Pizza	P180.00 (double, for 2-3 servings)	green bell pepper, mushroom, olives, pineapple	5-55-55 delivery, (632)6341111

Lite Alternatives: Healthy Choices that are Light on the Budget

Lite Salads

Salads must complement the main dishes, but they can also be a meal on their own. These three I have found are the perfect examples:

Greenwich Pizza’s Fresh Salad, which consists of tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, croutons, plus a choice of oriental vinaigrette or chicken mayo dressing, can already be a filling meal. Go light on the dressing and croutons for an even healthier meal.

Conti’s Pastry Shop & Restaurant features a Symphony Salad with lettuce, almond slivers, red grapes, tomatoes, apples, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Pepper Lunch, known for their Beef Pepper Rice also offers Seaweed Salad, which has seaweed, udon noodles, tomatoes, corn, lettuce and onion sauce.

Not only are they healthy and satisfying but also very affordable at less than P100.00.

Hello kababayan, will you help us in our search for cheaper options? Email cheaperoptions@ymail.com for your tips and suggestions.

Store Name	Bestsellers	Lite Alternative	Price	Main Ingredients	Phone
Greenwich Pizza	Pizza, Pasta	Fresh Salad	P69.00	tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, croutons, and with oriental vinaigrette or chicken mayo dressing	5-55-55 delivery, (632)6341111
Conti’s Pastry Shop & Restaurant	Baked Salmon, Mango Bravo	Symphony Salad (solo size)	P80.00	lettuce, almond slivers, slices of red grapes, tomatoes, apples, grated Parmesan cheese, vinaigrette	(632)8425265
Zuppa Café	Thai Bagoong, Bulgogi Gogo	Thai’s Caesar Salad	P80.00	lettuce, sesame seed, parmesan cheese, caesar dressing	(632)6873171
Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House	Vietnamese Fish with Yellow Beans	Goi Tam Xoai (Mango Prawn Salad)	P179.20 (for 2-3 servings)	mango, prawns, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, cucumber
Oody’s Bar and Restaurant	Pad Thai (Stir Fried Noodles with Shrimp) and Crispy Catfish with mango salad	Papaya Salad	P118.00 (for 2 servings)	papaya, lemon, tomato, bell pepper, thaiyum sauce	(632)9111584
Banana Leaf	Deep fried Pomfret with Malayan Seafood Curry	Gado gado Salad	P128.00 (for 2 servings)	steamed vegetables: cabbage, cucumber, carrots; fried tofu, peanut sauce	(632)7252536
Crepe de Chine	Mangoteena, Mad Nutter	CDC Crepe Roll	P180.00 (for 2 servings)	chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, aspagarus, honey mustard	(632)2442270
Pepper Lunch	Beef Pepper Rice, Shimofuri Pepper Steak	Seaweed Salad	P99.00 (solo serving)	seaweed, udon noodles, tomatoes, corn, lettuce, onion sauce	(632)8956185
Di Marks	Mad Scramble Pizza	Gourmet Green Tossed Salad	P170.00 (for 2 servings)	shrimp, capers, lettuce, tomatoes, green pepper, in light vinaigrette	(632)7236008
Pasto	Pizza, Pasta, Panini	Medi Salad	P185.00 (for 2 servings)	mixed greens, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, olives, feta cheese	(632)8813768

Lite Alternatives: Healthy Choices that are Light on the Budget

Lite Sandwiches

After searching for affordable and healthy sandwiches, these are my top three:

If you are in search for something cheap to quickly fill you up, just locate any of the thirty-three branches of Tropical Hut Hamburger. Their Chicken Sandwich is cheap at P49.00; add a few more pesos for fries and a drink.

Zuppa’s Veggie’s Fave is a triple-decker on wheat bread. Consists of lettuce, apple, tomato, cucumber, and cheese, it is both light and healthy. At P70.00, it is also light on the budget.

Likha Diwa sa Gulod, known for products made from gluten and soy protein and source of vegan and seafood dishes has the Vegetable Tuna Steak which is a steal at P80.00.

Hello kababayan, will you help us in our search for cheaper options? Email cheaperoptions@ymail.com for your tips and suggestions.

Store Name	Bestsellers	Lite Alternative	Price	Main Ingredients	Phone
Dunkin Donuts	Bavarian Cream, Strawberry-filled donuts	Tuna Salad Bunwich	P38.00	tuna chunks, mayonnaise, bun	(632)4151175
Tropical Hut Hamburger	Hamburgers, Rice meals	Chicken Sandwich	P49.00	chicken chunks, celery, mayonnaise, white bread	(632)6432333
Big Brother Bakeshop & Restaurant	Bread, Cake	Tuna Asparagus Sandwich	P70.00	tuna flakes, asparagus, pickles on loaf bread	(632)8180203
Zuppa Café	Thai Bagoong, Bulgogi Gogo	Veggie’s Fave Sandwich	P70.00	lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, apple, cheese on wheat bread	(632)6873171, (632)9253388
Likha Diwa sa Gulod	Vegetable Kare-kare	Vegetable Tuna Steak Sandwich	P80.00	Wheat bread, soya, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, onion	(632)9255522
Kenny Rogers Roasters	Roasted Chicken, muffins	Cold Chunky Tuna Sandwich	P82.50	wheat bread, lettuce, tuna chunks, pineapple	(632)5338888
Crepe de Chine	Mangoteena, Mad Nutter	Grilled Chicken Caesar	P88.00	chicken fillet, lettuce, tomatoes, flour-based bread, caesar dressing	(632)2442270
Almon Marina	Kebab, Roasted Beef Sandwich, and Gourmet Sandwich	Sour Cream and Chicken Sandwich	P95.00	rye bread, sliced chicken, lettuce cheese	(632)6341297
Fazoli’s	Spaghetti, Pasta, Pizza, Lasagna	Club Sandwich	P99.00	turkey ham, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, on submarino bread	(632)4210416
Oliver’s Super Sandwiches	Sandwiches, Baked Potatoes, Salads	Vegetarian Sandwich	P108.00	lettuce, tomato, apple, carrots, cucumber, on wheat bread or white bread	(632)6874168, (632)6874169

Lite Alternatives: Healthy Choices that are Light on the Budget

Lite Soups

Soups are a great way to start a meal, but these soups can be enjoyed any time of the day.

The cheapest soup I found is the Vegetable Pasta Soup of Greenwich Pizza.  At P29.00/bowl you get this tomato-based soup with macaroni, carrots, potatoes and flakes of parsley.

Little Asia’s Pumpkin and Carrot Soup is pumpkin puree, carrots, and non-fat yogurt.  Priced at P125.00, meant for 2 servings, it is affordable and tasty.

Pho Hoa is popular for their Hot and Sour Soup, or as they call it, Canh Chua Tom.  With a large sized bowl, a group of three to four people can enjoy rice noodles in a clear soup with tomatoes, pineapples, and prawns at P240.00.

Hello kababayan, will you help us in our search for cheaper options? Email cheaperoptions@ymail.com for your tips and suggestions.

Store Name	Bestsellers	Lite Alternative	Price	Main Ingredients	Phone
Greenwich Pizza	Pizza, Pasta	Vegetable Pasta Soup	P29.00	tomato-based, crushed tomatoes, macaroni, carrots, potatoes, parsley flakes	5-55-55 delivery, (632)6341111
Ditzy Diner	Crispy Chicken Tenders, Buffalo Wings, Hungarian Bites, Ditzy Burger	Potatoes Cheese Chowder	P65.00	potatoes, cheese, bacon, croutons	(632)5842979
Ebisu	Yakiniku – Grilled Specials	Pumpkin Soup	P70.00	squash, sesame seed, all purpose cream	(632)6877806
Zuppa Café	Thai Bagoong, Bulgogi Gogo	Hearty Corn Chowder	P70.00	corn chowder, potatoes, mushroom, bell pepper	(632)6873171
Pasto	Pizza, Pasta, Panini	Zuppa di Pomodoro	P95.00	tomato cream soup	(632)8813768
Kong Tiak	Pata Tim, Bemboo Fungus with Meatball Soup	Hot & Sour Soup	P100.00 (for 3-4 servings)	tofu, tomatoes, carrots, mushroom, young corn	(632)7427762
Han Pao	Steamed Lapu-lapu with brown Sauce, Garlic Praws, Pork Tenderloin, Pata Tim, Japanese Beancurd	Fish Lip Soup	P125.00 (for 3-4 servings)	lapu-lapu / maya-maya fillet	(632)7170465, (632)7124736
Little Asia	Fish and Tofu in Tausi Sauce, Roasted Chicken, Prawns in Talangka, Boneless Tilapia	Pumpkin and Carrot Soup	P125.00 (for 2 servings)	pumpkin puree, carrot, low-fat yogurt	(632)7275265, (632)3730609
Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House	Canh Chua Tom (Hot and Sour Soup with prawns and pineapple)	Canh Chua Tom (Hot and Sour Soup with prawns and pineapple)	P240.00 (large for 2-3 servings)	clear soup with tomatoes, pineapple, prawns, and rice noodles	(632)4213930
Oody’s Bar and Restaurant	Pad Thai (Stir Fried Noodles with Shrimp) and Crispy Catfish with mango salad	Tom Yum (Spicy Seafood Soup)	P318.00 (for 3 servings)	mushroom, tomato, gararnga, lemongrass, mussels, prawn, squid, cabbage, young corn	(632)9111584

Circle C

Circle C is a haven for bargain-hunters like me who live near the Congressional Ave area in Quezon City. Saves me the trip to Baclaran and Divisoria since at Circle C, I can also find various kinds of goodies at low, low prices from toys to pets to construction/electrical supplies to prepaid cards to dried mangoes to imitation bags and shoes to surplus/imitation/used clothes. There are also popular food kiosks/establishments such as Shakey’s, Pancit ng Taga Malabon, Mocha’s Blend, Fruitas, Potato Planet, Goldilock’s, Chowking, etc. You can also find Netopia for your internet surfing and gaming needs, Abenson’s for affordable appliance and furnitures,  Robinson’s Supermarket for your fresh fruits, vegetables and other grocery items, BPI Express and BDO ATMs for your banking needs, and Going Straight salon, Let’s Face It and Thai Medical Spa for that skinsational makeover! So drop by Circle C today!

You can also find more choices at Northridge Plaza (National Book Store, Red Ribbon, Figaro, Hap Chan, Pancake House, etc.) and Cherry Foodarama.

Read more about the Circle C Mall here. By the way, I am also proudly taga-QC.

The G Spa September Promo

Scrub up with our premium scrubs at value prices only this September!
(Promo available while supplies last so make your reservations early )

CHOCOLATE FONDUE TREATMENT (for soft, smooth skin) – PHP 1,400
Includes:
    Cocoa Scrub
    Chocolate Body Wrap
    Floral Bath
    60 min Swedish Massage

EGYPTIAN TREATMENT (for rosy, pink skin) – PHP 1,400
Includes:
    Rose and Salt Scrub
    Egyptian Rose Body Mask
    Floral Bath
    60 min Swedish Massage

Coffee Scrub + Swedish or Shiatsu Massage – Php 999

Aromatic Salt Scrub + Swedish or Shiatsu Massage - Php 1100

Honey Poppy Seed Scrub w/ Olive Oil Butter + Swedish or Shiatsu Massage – Php 1200

For more info, log on to http://www.getawayspa.com.ph, email g-spa@live.com or call 928-9847; 9289539

 

Address: The Courtyard Building
26 Sgt. Esguerra Ave (formerly Bohol Ave)
Brgy South Triangle, Quezon City

Welcome to Cheaper Options!

Why Cheaper Options?

I often find myself wondering where I can find cheaper (but good quality/yummy) options for stuff that i really enjoy or am looking into what with the ever-increasing prices of basic commodities and services, hence this new Pinoy weblog here on WordPress.

I am a lifelong learner and I hope that the things my fellow bloggers and I will uncover will also be useful to many readers who stumble upon this blog.

In the coming weeks, I would like to learn more about the following:

• Health & wellness – healthy diet, organic products, natural supplements, dance and other exercise classes, gyms, spas
• Schools/institutes/learning centers where I can acquire new skills suited for telecommuters like myself
• Electronic devices like digital cameras, laptops, etc.

If you have any suggestions or ideas (or if you have a similar blog or site and would like to share ideas), please email me at cheaperoptions@ymail.com. Thanks for your time and God bless you richly! =)