Weight weight weight...go away!

Before I go on with this post, let me just say that this is one of those topics that are considered senstive. I don't mean to insult or embarass anyone. This post is solely based on my own personal experience. The activities I do or food I eat might not be suitable for your needs. So please read with caution...ha! ha!

These past several months, I have been approached by several people on numerous occasions about what my diet looks like and how I manage to stay this "thin." I know in their minds, they must think that I probably starve myself. But please before you say anything to judge me, I am not thin. I am just perfectly proportioned(and I definitely eat plenty and I can just easily do 10 pull ups, wink wink).  How would one define thin anyways? There is no way I am going there. Don't want to stir up trouble:-).
 

See, how chubby my cheeks were? lol. I can't believe this picture was taken about three years ago. At least, I was still looking fab. he! he! 


Even if you care or not, I am going to share with you what meal plan looks like (if you read my blog, you will see that majority of my food posts are pretty healthy). You are more than welcome to follow, ignore, or even consider this for yourself. And you can also tailor it according to your dietary needs. Let me just say that I am not, in any way, a dietician or nutritionist. I just like to educate myself with things that I care the most such as food. And I really really  really try to consciously choose food that are good and have long lasting health benefits. And I can guarantee you, if you feed your body with the right nutrients, your body will reward you. All that little problems (such as fatigue, sinus allergy, athritis, etc.) will slowly diminish. You just have to  be committed.

I'm sure, by now, you are wondering how did I get into this type of lifestyle. All I remember is that it started about two years ago around the time I was planning my wedding.  Ofcourse, what bride wants to look chunky? Certainly not me. HAHA! Joke! Joke! I have always been active ever since I was young. Played sports. Worked out. Hiked. Jogged. Name every activity out there and I probably did 75% of it. Sure, I was active, but there was one thing that I thought was not in sync.  I could not maintain my weight! I never was a healthy eater. Heck, I never liked vegetables growing up. I have to be spoonfed if I recall.


And if you know me, once I get obsessed with something, I won't stop researching about it over and over and over. And I know losing weight is not hard at all. It's all in the state of mind and having the motivation and dedication to do it. All I needed was something to motivate and push me harder. I guess it was my wedding and I really wanted to look GREAT! and super fit...so while I was at the gym, they introduced this new class called the Metabolic Effect, which is a high intensity rest based training that only last for 30 minutes, which is designed to increase ones metabolism at a higher rate, while burning fat and sugar.  

"The Science behind the Metabolic Effect (ME) incorporates the latest understanding in endocrinology, health, fitness, strength and conditioning research. ME is a science-based program focused on changing the fat-burning hormonal response to exercise and diet. By changing hormones, rather than simply eating less or exercising more, the body naturally regulates fat burning, appetite, and mood so that motivation for exercise is enhanced while cravings for food are reduced." -- taken from their blog

And ofcourse, being obsessed that I am, I got hooked and it lead me to purchase their Metabolic Effect book. It really changed my perspective towards diet and excercise. To make story short, engaging in high intensity training while taking short rests, eliminating carbs, increasing protein and vegetables in your diet is the way to go. Can you imagine once I started doing this religiously, I immediately dropped 10 lbs? I became stronger and started seeing muscle definition that I have only dreamed ofbefore. LOL! It was hard at first but once I started eating clean, my cravings for sweet and junk slowly went away and I have maintained it up to this day. I still have the occasional cheat meal once a week where I can eat whatever I want. Otherwise, my mind would just go insane. And it has now become the lifestyle that I have been accustomed to...

Here is my typical meal for the day:

breakfast - eggs, spinach, and grean tea

mid morning snack - raw almonds or blueberries

lunch - a big green salad with grilled chicken and balsamic dressing or fat free balsamic vinaigrette

mid afternoon snack - a small sugar free protein bar

dinner - baked salmon with a side of veggies and a little bit of sweet potatoe

How simple is that? If I can do it, you can too.....

Now here is a new and improved me..hahaha..some pics from my wedding.

I hope this motivates you to transition into a healthy lifestyle.

Happy Wednesday. Bisous, Contessa

No More Dirty Looks....rediscovering your natural beauty:-)

We all already know that I practice clean eating. The food I eat is carefully selected and made sure that it is the most natural and organic. So if I make sure that I watch what I eat, it is only appropriate that I also make a conscious effort to watch what I put on my body (externally), correct? The bottom line is, when it comes to good living, what we put on our mouth is just as imporant as what we put on our skin.

This book is the reason behind it all. What piqued my curiosity was just the title alone, "No More Dirty Looks" and the tag line, "The truth behind your beauty products."  I was sold before I could even read it. LOL! I know that atleast 90% of the beauty stuff I have in my bathroom (and probably some of you too!) are all toxic, expensive or not and I was about to find out the horrors of it all. After reading the authors, Siobhan and Alexandra's horrifying experience about Brazialian Blowouts, I started shaking my head with disbelief. So apparently the active ingredient they they use to make the hair shiny and soft is formaldehyde...say that again? It's a carcinogen, right? And that's the stuff they use to embalm people. It's kind of funny because a few days after reading this, my cousin was telling me about her hair stylist who just started offering this service in her salon for a fraction of a price (thank God I saved her from doing that,lol). I mean who doesn't want soft, shiny hair for days without having to wash it? Certainly me but not for that type of permanent fix. And not only that but a lot of our products including nail polish contain formaldehyde too.  No wonder nail polish makes my nails all yellow after having them on for a while. Gross, right?

This book is really enlightening and truly an eye opener. It even digs deeper into the dangers and secrets of those giant cosmetics company. They don't really care for our health and so does the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) agency. And I hate to say this but La Mer and a cheaper brand contain the same toxic ingredients. You are only paying for the name and that stuff doesn't even work. LOL! Thank God I resisted on the urge of buying one.   

The book gives you a complete listing of "blacklisted ingredients" to look for in buying cosmetics. It also suggests products that are safe and environmentally friendly. It even gives you recipes to try at home such as the at home mani and pedi (soak feet and hands on warm olive oil and milk for ten minutes:-)) Yes, I've tried that too!

So before I could go on and on about how great this book is, let me just say that if you care for your health and what goes into your skin, this book is a must read.  Trust me, you don't need all that beauty products. You will be doing your skin a favor and once you get rid of all those toxic you put in your skin, you immediately start seeing results.  You'll see the glow you've never had before. :-)

You can find this book on amazon.com and the authors also have a blog you can read at no more dirty looks.

Bisous, Contessa

Lentils and Collard Green Soup

I love lentils and collard greens. This soup is so healthy and so good for you. It has all the super foods that our body needs. Lentils not only provide plentiful of protein, but it has iron and biotin. Biotin promotes healthy nails and hair.  So for those of you who have thinning hair issues, you better include lentils in your diet. No wonder, Indians have long lustrous thick hair because they eat it so much. It's like us Filipinos with our rice:-).

Collard green is also a superfood for healthy hair. An excellent source of vitamins A and C and iron, as well as iron and calcium. If you are not already eating green leafy vegetables, please make sure to include in your diet.

Lentils and Collard Green Soup
chopped fresh collard greens
chopped carrots
one or two cups of cooked lentils
chopped onions or shallots
minced garlic
shrimp and chopped chicken ( for vegetarians, you can omit the meat)
low sodium chicken broth
coconut soy sauce (subsitute for your regular soy sauce, it has less than 200 mg of sodium)
salt and pepper to taste
a dash of balsamic vinegar (try it, it makes a difference to the taste)

Saute onions and garlic for a few minutes.  Add chicken and shrimp. Stir until the meat is done. Slowly add your lentils and continue stirring. Mix in the carrots and three cups of low sodium chicken broth. Let it boil until carrots is tender. Add collard greens. Season to taste with salt, pepper and soy sauce and don't forget to add a dash of balsamic vinegar.

Let me know if you make this. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Not only it's tasty, but it's super healthy!  

Bisous, Contessa

Little Black Dress.....

is all you need if you want a statement necklace like this to pop. This bib necklace is made of agate stone and mother of pearl. Do you guys like it?

This is what I wore to my friend's fiancee birthday dinner the other night. The weather warmed up a bit so I decided to wear my little black. I am loving my Dolce Vita ankle wedge boots right now. Despite the 4 inches height, they are the most comfortable wedge boots that I own. 

I hope you all had a great weekend. Bisous, Contessa

I am too cute for overalls.....

Let's take a break from cooking......

Now tell me, does this look like overalls to you? Seems like someone needs to be taught Fashion 101 around here. But that would have to wait.....for the mean time, here is a collage of what I wore to work the other day.  My daily work uniform usually consists of gray, black, brown, and gray, black, brown....(lol you get the picture).  But once in a while I try to put on something colorful too. He! He! This dress,which I got from Marimekko about two years ago has been hanging in my closet for for a while now. I think I have only worn it once or twice.  Thank God for the spring like weather the other day, I was finally able to wear it again.  It wasn't completely warm to wear it on it's own, so I decided to put a turtle neck under. The dress was a little lose, so I cinched a belt around my waist (the truth is, it gives me the illusion that I have small waist, haha busted!).

I have to learn to photoshop my background next time (please ignore, this is on my mini gym at home). And oh, I have to get a remote for my tripod. HE! HE!

Dress: Marimekko
Shoes: Dolce Vita (I am loving these studded brogues. So comfortable too and a cheaper version of the studded Louboutin brogues). 

Belt: Gap
Bisous, Contessa

Seafood Wednesday - Deconstructed Fish Taco

My recipe for the shell-less fish taco is not your typical fish taco that you would often get at a restaurant.  No way I am going to drown my fish in batter (full of fat) and deep frying it.  By doing that, all the nutrients  that our body gets from seafood are being stripped away. The best and trusted way to serve seafood is to either bake or grilled them. But sometimes, a girl can only have so much baked or grilled fish, you know:-).   

For those who are looking for an alternative way to prepare fish, this recipe is for you. It doesn't take up a lot of time prepare. I would say 30 minutes at most. And if you have the urge to wrap the taco with something, please opt for whole wheat pita bread or whole wheat wrap. It's not the healthiest, but a better alternative than white carbs.

Nex time I promise to measure every thing precisely. IBut if you already don't know me by now, I usually just eye ball my measurement especially when I am experimenting in the kitchen. It's not an exact science.

Shell-less Fish Taco a la ContessaFillet of White Fish ( I used flounder for this particular recipe, but you can just easily use whatever white fish you have available. I would suggest using sole, turbot, halibut, or cod).Shredded red and green cabbage. Shredded or Chopped into Strips of organic apple. Dijon Mustard (Gray Poupon would do). Apple Cider Vinegar. Nonfat Greek Yogurt (Fage or any brands will do, you can also use plaint yogurt). Salt and Pepper to taste.  Lemon.

Pat dry the fish fillet and season with paprika, salt and pepper.Grill or bake it and it cooks super quick. Once cook, set it aside. 

Combine all the ingredients for the salad/slaw. Season it according to taste. To make it more sour, just add vinegar or lemon juice. For a little sweet hint to it, add raw honey or agave nectar (a better alternative to regular honey or sugar). Let it cool or serve it on top of the fish fillet.

The good thing about the slaw is  it can be served on its own as well. I often make a big batch and just keep them refrigerated.   Enjoy!

Bisous, Contessa

A Little Boost Me Up

Just indulge me, why don't you? Just when I think I'm giving up hope because I feel that I don't have any blog readers, this little sweet note pops up in my inbox.

"U probably don't remember me but i'm -----. I remember you from before when u were in ---. U were so talented and so pretty! Idol nga kita eh (You are my idol)! Anyways, i just want to say thank you for being such a great inspiration! I admire your fashion sense and your ability to express yourself in such a classy and edgy way. I may not be able to afford goyard, hermes or balenciaga like you hehe but reading your blog helps me a lot when i need help on what to wear to the next party or even when going to work! U are so adorable! Don't stop inspiring people!"

Thanks sweet cheeks for such a nice pick-me upper message. I am speechless and don't deserve such accolade. Readers/friends like you make me inspired to blog even more. Even if there's only a few:-). HE!HE!. And ehem, who says I can afford those brands you mentioned above? I wish! Well, maybe if I save for years and years. Although, I truly believe that if we work hard, we can just easily play hard. And who can say no to that? If bags make you happy, then go buy yourself one. Bottom line is, it's all about what makes you happy, right? 

Thank you, again, for that thoughtful message.

Have a great Tuesday mis ames! Bisous, Contessa