The Diet 'Til I Die Diet

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It's the holidays once again and for sure, you're already thinking on how to control your diet! phew!!
It's really difficult especially when you have a lot of parties to attend this December.

A year ago, I started this diet which I call the "Diet 'Til I Die" diet! The aim is definitely not death of course!
It's just for laughs! It helped me a lot in losing almost 30lbs.
It definitely boosted my confidence so I would like to share
this diet of mine to all who need it.
3 weeks of dieting before Christmas day is quite good so you better try it asap!

I did this for around 4 months. Somehow I'm able to maintain my weight. I eat normal meal though I still avoid eating too much carbo rich foods.

Always remember: Never starve yourself!! This diet is all about the right portions, the right food at the right time! ok?

for the 1st 2 weeks, NO RICE!
on the 3rd week, you may have 1/2cup of rice once a day for only 3 days per week ok? (1 1/2cups rice per week!)

Breakfast:

a cup of oatmeal and tea

- a good source of fiber and keeps you full the whole day!





I usually go for either green tea or chamomile... the tea in the photo is an assortment of different relaxing herbs!

Lunch:
I recommend  these...

Portuguese/Spanish style sardines (2pcs per meal) or any kind of fish dish that you please with either
 1-2 slices of whole wheat bread, fiber enriched crackers or your favorite pancit canton!
It's rich in omega3 and is also considered as the fountain of youth! If you wanna look and feel younger, you should include sardines in your diet!

Though we are trying to cut down on our sugar in-take, carbo is still important specially
if your work demands a lot of thinking! Sugar is brain food my friends! Sugar ain't really bad

when taken responsibly.



For snacks:
You may choose from the ff....
a handful of peanuts/ squash seeds
 and tea

I also like walnuts and pistachios a lot!They're very good in lowering cholesterol levels!

 Drinking Soy milk is also good!!

Yogurt is also very healthy and tummy friendly! If you wanna get rid of that "bloated" feel, eat yogurt!

Cereal drinks are also good! We need a lot of fiber in order to get rid of those fats and lower cholesterol levels.

Dinner: 7pm
 1 Green Apple or Melon Slices


NO more eating after 7pm ok? Allow your tummies to rest for 12 hrs

I reward myself during weekends so I always buy my favorite chocolate!

Dark Chocolate is very good for the heart! Just don't eat much ok?
tip: 



If in case you really find yourself craving for something ... it's always good to have a pack of crackers in your bag...

Oh don't worry because these foods are very budget friendly!! Happy eating!!

Year End Update...

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It’s been a while since I last wrote something decent. I believe that my mind is still isn’t as composed as I wanted it to be. I may say that it has been a conscious decision not to put my thoughts into writing for a while to allow myself to be more of an observer and reflect more. I do appreciate silence a lot due to the wisdom you can gain from it.. I look forward to more of it really! I believe that I am at my best  when I’m contemplating rather than talking. 

Phew, I just enumerated the events which transpired during the past months in my mind and boy do I feel  lazy to write all about them! I don’t wanna bore you of course by writing a long emotional article. Frustrating as they are, I don’t really wanna go through them anymore and I don’t have an obligation to report everything that is happening in my life anyway!  For now allow me to simply express my thoughts and be me. I just wanna write another damn honest entry.

I believe I’m doing quite a good job in picking up my broken pieces. I may say, I’m taking my time, not really in a hurry. Being extra gentle to myself and doing my best to learn from each passing experience. I never said I’m an expert  when it comes to these things. I know I still  have to learn so many lessons. I noticed that I’ve been freaking too hard on myself this year just to escape the pain.  So far I believe I’ve done a lot of productive things which I’m truly proud of (no regrets), not to mention spending them with the right people whom I have now learned to appreciate and love. They are the ones  who  treated me as a human being again. When I’m with them… I am myself. Not a singer/artist as I am known in my humble striving scene but just simply ME. Because of this, I am forever grateful. 

November 2010- more than a year after that traumatic (yes if you are reading this..yes it’s traumatic) end of that chapter in my life,  I may say that I’m in a much better plane now. Mixed emotions fill my heart. Thankful- for all the blessings I’m continually reaping day by day.  Lonely – at times when I miss the warmth of someone’s hand holding mine and hearing while someone whispers my name. Angry – by the fact I didn’t get any decent apology from all that trouble (not expecting one in a million years) Pride- coz I was able to rise above it all with flying colors!  Respect- I have more respect for myself now, I am more aware of my existence specially with my purpose and worth.  As to what a good friend told me, (Ate Cristy Hicban)“Constant Continuous Kindness” is what I should be getting.  I believe I was born for something bigger, something greater than what I am now.
Whatever it is, I must prepare for it. This not only goes for me but to all women who feel helpless and have been rejected.  I bought another crown ring last week to add to my collection and to constantly remind me that I'm a true queen in many ways.

I've been busy lately, busy observing people and observing on how I would react in certain situations. I've discovered a lot about myself and frankly speaking, I learned to appreciate myself more because I realized how more of a "good" person I am and how certain people could be so cruel to me despite the goodness I've shown them. I still go on shoots but not as often as before.I often find myself writing down the photo concepts I would like to do seriously. I also enjoy working on Adobe Light Room now. I find it soo fascinating!

I would also find myself doing the usual things I love doing like spending time in the supermarket, checking out fresh produce, bread, chocolates and snacks and I started cooking simple meals again and started eating "real" food. I don't really mind the extra weight. If time permits, I'd like to continue the weekly cooking show I used to do a year ago. I already got a lot of hits on youtube since I posted my videos. I also got a lot of requests.

Most of my 2010 was spent outdoors with good friends but now, I feel more comfortable at home because essentially, I am really a homebody. It feels really good to just be lazy the whole day, watch tv/dvd, work on my laptop, do some occasional naps, daydream, take pictures of objects/pets, strum my guitar, write something on paper... time isn't really wasted!

If there is one thing I would like to change, I'd like to drink less alcohol to prevent any addiction. I got very fond of drinking this year.I'm afraid I may be an alcoholic! Yaiks! That would be uncool! So I guess I'll just stick to having a glass of cocktail and that's it! No more beer! I really like cocktails... I find it sexy and sophisticated when a woman holds a cocktail on her hand no matter how she may look like. I wonder how men think of it but I find it very seductive. I guess it's the way how a woman carries her drink that fascinates me the most. To me it's more like how she gracefully handles the world! hahahha










As for next year, I don't really have any concrete plans but just be more serious about having fun! I already

booked a ticket for me and Badeth bound to Boracay next February and boy are we so excited!! A good motivation to shed more pounds.. hehehe i really wanna wear my swimsuit with  confidence ahahahah!!!

Behind all these happenings, there is someone whom I cannot talk about for now who has been my muse and driving force in all my endeavors. Words could never really describe how much this person has changed me so perhaps you should listen to the new songs I’ve written.  I’m not expecting anything

… just a smile I guess is enough to set free.

I’m still single. I’m not in an official romantic relationship now. This year is just for me I believe. In preparation for yet another adventure. If God willing, I guess next year would be a good year to find new love again. It would really depend on Him. I know that God will grant me a good man. I wonder who's gonna be the lucky guy! For the people who are asking me if I'm in-love.. the answer is YES! 'nuff said! =)

A Portrait Of The Real Mae

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Allow me to introduce myself....

I play a lot of roles in this world.

I'm a professional singer, a songwriter

 

a teacher

a team manager

 To some I am a role model,I have a handful of fans but never considered myself as a celebrity, an elder sister, a confidant, a trustworthy friend, a responsible daughter, a passionate lover, a romantique at heart,
an animal lover, an epicurean.

I make time to hone my photography skills,

I love cooking. 

Going on trips. Long bus rides. Experiencing all sorts of new stuff. I find joy in writing my thoughts on paper. I tend to come up with my own ideas rather than wasting time recycling works made by people I never knew.

I find joy in isolating myself as long as I have something to write on. I talk to myself in the form of writing and poetry. So if you are reading this, you are actually talking with the real me.

I rarely keep secrets. My life in an open book. I'm proud of my roots despite the shitty things I've surpassed for they molded me into who I am now.

I wish not to be complicated though some people find me odd. Even my mom thinks I'm odd. Mana mana lang yan~!                                                                                                                                                 I there is something with me and my hands which I photograph from time to time. Random weirdness or maybe awaiting a ring to be given by someone in the future.

Aside from hands, love it when I take half-faced portraits.... I find it very mysterious and very personal!

  I love to laugh! Especially at myself! I don't mind looking silly at times! I find shy people missing out a lot in what life has to offer.
  
                                                                                                                                                                    I enjoy alcohol from time to time. I'm not alcoholic though. I enjoy feeling tipsy!
 

I'm not the type of girl who finds joy in shopping for designer stuff. I do admire "kikays" who express themselves freely but I ain't one. I'm very practical when it comes to fashion. I do like shopping... grocery shopping that is. I can spend an entire day in the grocery! There is something about food and  home that fascinates me. Probably because I ultimately see myself as a homemaker one day. A domestic goddess, a wife.. a mom.

I was never an academic achiever especially in high school. I never considered myself as a highly intelligent person though I know I have a highly developed brain due to my creativity skills.
  


But if I were to describe myself in one word, I would say, I'm an ARTIST! .. and damn proud of it!
 

 

There are also things which I dislike about myself.... and I acknowledge all of them with all humility.
I am often visited by misery  and negativity due to my highly emotional nature. I easily get hurt on the simplest words but is always ready to forgive given the proper apology.

I tend to be highly stubborn with the things and the people I'm not interested with. Some people see me as a snob. I really don't mind.

I tend to be very impatient, patience is something I have yet to learn.

I wish I could be more vocal when I'm angry. I tend to avoid confrontations for I know nothing can ever be solved with anger but I wish sometimes, I could just openly tell people how mad they made me feel.

Wish I could be more neat with my things. God I'm sooo stubborn!

I'm not good with saving money though I don't really overspend. I could never resist a good deal especially if it's something for self improvement.
I also don't mind spending a good meal with a friend whom I love.

Wish I could be more interested in reading books or novels. I'm a visual person..  I have dominant left brain. I tend to get sleepy without seeing pictures.

I tend to be an escapist especially when I'm hurt. I find it hard to accept things and forget the past. I am highly sentimental.

I like inflicting myself with emotional pain... I dunno why but I enjoy it. Perhaps because I believe that the more pain you undergo, the more victory you will reap once you've recovered. Pleasure obtained from suffering.. call me a masochist!

I tend to be so fickle minded!! I hate myself when I am!

I'm too lazy to exercise!!! ahuhuhuu

I hate myself when I'm pessimistic!  I often argue with my inner demons. It just doesn't feel right!

Frustrations? I do have a few more which I wish to venture on in the future....

I wanna learn to act. Formally. To be in a musical is one thing I wanna experience. Years ago, I auditioned for Ms. Saigon. I was praised by Cameron Machintosh but wasn't accepted due to my lack of theater background and ultra short hair. Damn it!

I wanna be a dancer. I used to be in the school dance troupe in my early years. Dunno why I didn't continue when I reached high school. I did join the dance club when I was a freshie however, the senior bitches dominated the club so I was demotivated. I'd like to learn modern jazz if time and money permits.

Plans? Wishes? Dreams? I never run out of them... I dream of them every single day! They inspire me to keep on going

To have my own kitchen complete with 4 burners, a nice marbled counter top, a complete set of good quality knives, a dependable oven, all the herbs within reach, a complete set of teflon pans, glasswares, silverwares and bright colored ceramic and wooden plates. I also want it to have some high chairs so my kids would watch me as I cook their meals. I can't wait to see the look on their faces right after I take out something out of the oven!

A house with a music room. The best thing that ever happened during my childhood perhaps is when my mom gave me the freedom to do whatever I want... I spent most of my time in our music room where I would practice and listen to music. It's also the place where I would dance my worries away for it had a huge mirror covering the whole wall. Looked more like a carpeted dance studio.I'd like my kids to experience the same freedom I enjoyed. I'd like them to grow with art and music as a big part of their lives. I don't mind having kids who will become artists when they grow up I just hope my future hubby won't mind either.


To successfully produce an album of the songs I wrote. Before I retire from singing, this is something I seriously wanna complete. I wanna leave a good legacy to the kids.


A photo studio. Aside from a music room, I also wish to have a separate room exclusively for photography.. for portraits and food photography to be more precise. It'll be like a "lab" as I picture it. The mere thought of it excites me!


Another thing which I desire is to see a portrait which reflects the real me. It's really gonna be a challenge. I do have quite a number of good shots taken from my friends but I'm certain I have yet to see the perfect one!