3 Week Mark!

After 3 weeks of eating clean, weight training with Joe L of Next Level Personal Trainer, motivation from Christy and Tina of Skinny fat fitness, cardio, yoga and surf/sup activities here are the slight changes

Some things Ive noticed- I actually struggle reaching my required caloric intake. Its kinda nice to think "I have to eat this egg salad!" rather than "I cant eat that". Ive also noticed some slight weight gain but I feel like this is muscle weight!

I do notice though the increase in ab definition (yay we're getting there). More shape to my body and is that a little bit of a butt?? I think so!! haha I wont get my hopes up but thought Id show you followers. Also this is the time where a lot of women and I feel like quitting. Why might you feel that? Well its because of that slight weight increase you will feel like going back to the starving calories but dont! Make sure you push through and stick with your program! It takes time a dedication! Just keep visualizing your transformed body!

Some Before Photos!

Hello hello! So in my first post you all saw my "skinny fat" photos! You know- the ones with the collar bones, lack of curves and tone?

Well here are the photos after eating my necessary caloric intake... though pretty darn healthy i of course gained a little weight but still looked quite little. The one thing I noticed though was my lack of core definition and well any definition. Also I noticed I definitely need to attain some sort of a butt!! :P

So here are the pics from before my workout program began and in a few hours I will post my photos after 3 weeks of 3 times a week strength/weight training, 3 times a week cardio and yoga 3 times a week! Its been hard and there are days Ive just wanted to rest but Ive got to stick with it!!! :) along with these set workouts I also incorporate horse riding, surfin/SUPing, and dancing (zumba with Gabe at Culture Shock and Striptease dance with Anissa Eve).

What's for Dinner?

Green Salad, Tri-color Pepper Quinoa, Basil Tilapia

Here's what I had for dinner last night! It was delicious and filled me up :-)

Calories: 300

Fat: 8mg

Protein: 23g

Carbs: 25g

Key thing to remember: easy on the dressing! There's so much flavor in all the other components of the dish you really dont need any dressing! But if you must use straight Balsamic vinegar (Trader Giotto's is pretty good :P)

Way back when...

Hello readers!

Again it has been quite a while since my last post and have things seriously changed since then!

Where to start where to start... Yes modeling. So yes modeling is fun, luxurious and full of all the perks one imagines however what a lot of people aren't told or simply ignore are the difficulties and struggles it inflects on their members/victims. Granted there are several models out there or are blessed with a teeny tiny body and can put away a burger and friends without showing the slightest weight gain. However not all of us are like that and I found myself slowly being sucked in by the demand of what models should look like and what you need to look like to get jobs.

Id like to public say and share today that it became too much for me. I wasn't happy trying to balance school, riding and modeling while maintaining a figure that was unnatural for me and made me controlling and obsessive over my build. It was in may when I decided I couldn't continue on if I kept feeling the way I did. I felt unhealthy, I looked skinny yet because I wasn't getting the right amount of calorie intake I had no tone definition or muscles... it was fat and bones.

It bewilders me how that stick, lanky, hanger looking shape is so attractive in the industry however I must emphasize that its the girls who obviously are NOT meant to be that tiny are the ones who look sickly. I came to this realization when I saw a picture of me a few months back of myself and I could count the ribs on me and had arms smaller that my shoulder joints. I looked strange. I looked like a bobble head. and I certainly did not look sexy at all (from a guys perspective lol)

At that point I decided it had stop and I wanted to reshape and change my body. I wanted sufficient food intake that was wholesome and clean. I wanted a body where I had muscle definition, abs, back muscles and actually had a bust and a booty. I wanted to be able to workout and not feel like fainting within 20 minutes. I needed this change.

I have to say that it was not easy! The first thing I had to change was my eating. I needed to learn to be okay with putting calories in my body that was healthy and clean. I needed to be okay with it. I had to vamp up my metabolism which would only come from eating more. This was my first step. Thought this step made me feel immediately better, stronger and happier- it came with gain. My body wasn't used to the amount of food going in it naturally reacted with some additional pounds (lbs that i needed tho). This caused some anxiety and panic attacks but I stuck it out and tried not to have many relapse days.

I then began a fitness regime on my own and discover how much I actually enjoyed it when I wasn't dropping to the ground from lack of fuel. This was my next stage- I wanted to be able to teach others how to workout and give them the strength and support to break a bad habit and start the good habit of working out. So... there began my fitness cert and teaching.

It is now August 2nd, Yes according to the scale I am heavier. Yes that freaks me out and scares. And No I am not quitting and sooner than later I will look ridiculously good. Ok maybe not that intense but this whole obsession with the scale thing is just stupid! For me, its the aesthetics, the muscle tone and the body fat numbers that matter more. Oh and what about the fact that I feel better each day than before and am getting more attention from both women and actually men now! Maybe its because I dont look like I'll snap in a second and now i have some curves.

I have been training with Joe L, Trainer of the girls of "From Skinny Fat to Skinny Fit" for a week now and this is the next step of my transformation! Ive also been doing yoga at Corepower (Chelsea and Melissa G are my favs at Pt Loma), some Pure Barre Classes as well as Saturday TRX circuit class at Aire Urban Fitness with Mike Sherbakov Getting in amazing shape and feeling confident again in a body that Ive worked hard for, is strong and can kick some a** in, and is healthy! Throughout this transformation I will post progress photos as well as before and after kinda stuff, recipes, workouts, etc etc. I contemplated this for a while but I want to share my change and transformation with all you out there so that maybe... just maybe... I change a couple skeptics and prove that transformations do happen and being healthy and strong will not only bring a positive vibe to your life but will make you a healthier happier individual.

Thanks you for reading my story and for supporting me all this time. I hope to bring a positive change and perhaps bring some of you along the transformation ride! Share this with some one you know or that will enjoy this and feel free to comment or send me messages.

Take care. namaste.

GONE BANANAS!

Hi everyone! So this is a little bit of a last minute post but Ive been asked a lot for so many of my banana recipes I thought instead of sending multiple different emails I thought why not share them with everyone!

Bananas are a fruit that have such mixed opinions about. Some people love bananas and think its the most healthy thing in the world, some people hate how it kinda isnt. But here are some healthy ways to use those bananas you have sitting on your kitchen counter :)

YUMMY Ice-cream alternative! (Vegan, dairy free, gluten free!)
- 1 frozen banana


Put an over-ripe (browning) banana in the freezer. Remove from freezer. Peel, chop, put in food processor and pulse until it becomes a custard like consistency. Its a yummy treat and you can top it with various things like nuts, choc chips, honey, go crazy and experiment! Let me know how it goes!

Low Fat, Healthy, Banana Bread!

• 3/4 cup Stevie Baking Sweetener (its all natural unlike splenda)
• 3/4 cup flax seed meal or Peanut flour (available at Trader Joes)
• 5 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup skim milk or fat free or almond milk or 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/4 cup fat free sour cream
• 2 teaspoons egg whites (like Lucerne Organic egg whites or egg beaters whites)
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or you can use a multigrain flour like TJs multigrain baking flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• How ever much Cinnamon you'd like to add and a pinch of nutmeg

Raw Cupcakes (courtesy of Raw Star Desserts) Serves 2-3

Ingredients for “dough”2 large organic bananas
1 1/2 c. organic pre-ground flaxseeds
3 to 4 Tbsp. coconut nectar or Blue agave nectar

Ingredients for toppings (optional)
coconut nectar
coconut oil
carob powder
cinnamon
pistachio nuts
goji berries
fruit and nuts of your choice

  For the “dough,” peel bananas and mash them with a fork in a large mixing bowl. Pour flaxseeds into the bananas and mix until evenly coated, adjusting the amount of flaxseeds for the desired firmness of the cupcakes. (As flaxseeds are absorbed into the bananas, the mixture will firm up. Depending on the size of the bananas used, adjust accordingly.)

Put the “dough” into fancy gold or paper cupcake cups, then embellish with your favorite toppings, such as coconut nectar or raw chocolate sauce. Add “sprinkles” (optional) such as chopped pistachio nuts and goji berries.

To make donuts, shape the “dough” into balls, poke a hole in the middle, and flatten slightly with your hands. For a glazed donut, drizzle coconut nectar, coat lightly with coconut oil, then drizzle a little more coconut nectar. For a chocolate donut, mix carob powder with coconut nectar to make “chocolate sauce.” Add a little water to make it glossier and lighter, then drizzle or coat the coconut. For a cinnamon donut, lightly drizzle with coconut nectar and sprinkle cinnamon on top.

To make chocolate cake, add 4 to 6 Tbsp. of carob powder to the “dough,” adjusting for taste. Grease a medium cake pan or two small cake pans with coconut oil. Press the dough into the cake, then flip onto a serving dish. Use the same “chocolate sauce” as the chocolate donut to frost the cake. Garnish with fresh berries, your favorite fruit, or chopped nuts. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Some photos from my trip!

Here are some photos from my trip in Asia! Check them out and the next time you want to getaway- think about Asia!!

Amazing Thai version of Pancakes! My favorite was the banana with Peanut butter, and the condensed milk with sugar!

This is the condensed milk with sugar

My hotel view

out of control excited

I wanted to smuggle him in my purse and run!! 

At the elephant sanctuary! 

Attempting a balancing act

helping out at Riders Lodge and teaching little Anabelle some balance skills :)

I fell in love with Pad Thai on PhiPhi Island- I went to every restaurant and tried it so id find the best one! Here is a little (well kinda complicated) recipe to make pad thai at home! Totally worth it!

Pad Thai Recipe
Good for 1 to 2 people

Pad Thai sauce ingredients: (You can always go to the ethnic section of your grocery store and buy Thai Kitchen's Pad thai sauce in the jar)
4 cloves of minced garlic
½ cup of palm sugar
1 ½ tbl. white sugar
1/3 cup of fish sauce
½ cup of tamarind juice concentrate

Pad Thai noodle stir fry ingredients:Dried rice stick noodles – ¼ of the package
1 egg
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
6 tbl. of vegetable oil
¼ cup of red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup of bean sprouts
1 cup of carrots, sticks
¼ cup of green onion cut diagonal in ½ inch segments
¼ cup of cilantro
1 ½ cups of either thinly sliced chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu (I like tofu)
¼ cup of toasted peanuts chopped.
Lime wedge

To make pad thai sauce, heat a small pan on medium low and add fish sauce, palm and white sugar, tamarind concentrate, and garlic. Cook sauce until palm sugar has completely dissolve. To make it more spicy add a little Thai chili powder. Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes before storing it in a jar or plastic container.

To Stir fry the noodles,
Boil noodles for 4-5 minutes and drain immediately rinsing with cold water for a few seconds. Noodles should be slightly firmer than Al dente. Using kitchen scissors, cut the noodle clump in half. This will make it easier to fry and eat. Heat 3 tbls. oil in a wok or frying pan on high and cook raw chicken, pork, beef, tofu or shrimp for 3-4 minutes. Remove meat/tofu/seafood into a small bowl. Heat up 3 tbls. of oil and then add garlic and red onions to the hot pan and stir fry for 1 minute stirring the garlic mixture (careful not to burn). Add noodles and stir for 1 minute. Add 3-4 tbls. Of Pad Thai sauce continually stirring noodle mixture until well coated with sauce. Add cooked meat/tofu/seafood back and fry for 2-3 minutes. Move the noodle and meat mixture to one side of the pan and crack an egg on the other side. Scramble the egg with a wooden spoon and cook for 30 seconds. Add carrots, green onions, and sprouts and cook for one more minute frying everything together. Test the firmness of the noodle. If the noodle is too firm, fry for an additional minute. If your noodles need more flavor, add another tbl. of sauce and fry another half minute.  Remove from heat and serve. Top with remaining raw carrot match sticks, spouts, cilantro, toasted peanuts, and a wedge of lime. 

There you have it! You'll feel like you're in Thailand! :)

MIA I know :( But BACK! :)

It's been too long and I have much to share!!

Where to begin? Im guessing from the statrt? Chronologicall? Where I left of last? So the last I posted I was in beautiful Malaysia! Well I did a shoot for an editorial spread (14 pages!!) for the fabulous InTrend Magazine!! Check out a few of the pictures from these tearsheets! :)

Like them? Well to match all these bright spring colors, here's a fun colorful recipe for a delicious spring salsa! Ive been putting this on top of grilled salmon, veggie sandwiches and dipping chips in it! Delish!

Spring Salsa! 

- 1/2 pineapple, cored, peeled, sliced in about 1/4 inch rings

-1 mango, peeled and pitted and chopped in little cubes

-1/2 red bell pepper chopped

-1/2 red onion chopped

-3 tbsps chopped cilantro leaves

-3 tbsps olive oil

-1 tbsp peeled minced fresh ginger

-about 1 jalapeno (your choice of heat) chopped

- juice of 1 or 2 limes

- salt and pepper to taste

- sprinkle of cayenne pepper

1) Grill the pineapple rings on both side, transfer to chopping board a chop

2) In a bowl, combine all ingredients well but turning gently (you dont want squash the flavors, you want to infuse!)

Voila! How simple! Your done and are looking at a colorful delicious salsa! Dig in!! :) This can be kept for about 2 to 3 days too :)

Look out for lots and lost of more posts! :)

Hello from Asia!

Hi everyone! So it has been quite some time since anything has been posted here but travels have been going well and I have some great photos and experiences to share!

Landed first in beautiful and of course familiar Malaysia (KLIA)! Greener than ever, I was thankful to finally be with my parents after such a long time apart! I was also thankful to be in close reach of the irreplaceable local Malay food! Within hours of arriving home, we headed for a wonderful restaurant in the Bangsar Village area called Chawan for some great local delights. It wasnt long till I was delighted with the fresh aromas of Malaysian food and spices, greatly pleasing my eager senses. Id been craving these feelings for a long long time!

Nasi Lemak! yummm!

Later in the week, after adjusting and adapting to the country change, it was time I gave my body a little TLC and treat. As a Christmas gift, my mother gave RJ and I the "Ok" to enjoy Hammam Baths and the exotic treatments they have to offer. We went for the classic Hammam and Gommage with the extra Henna for a smooth, hydrated complexion. If you have no idea about what Im going on about, its basically an intense bath, mud, scrub, rinse, hydrate process that originated in Morocco for royalty (they say it was a favorite of Cleopatra herself :P). My skin was unbelievably smooth, radiant and glowing after the experience and we were able to relax in the lounge like chairs, sip tea and savor a sweet baklava treat. I definitely recommend this to everyone (both men and women), its an experience well worth it and effective! Go to www.hammambaths.com to find out more information on prices and the services they offer!

Upcoming in the agenda: a trip to the comfortable and fun Riders Lodge nestled in the jungle of Sedenak, Johor, New Years in Phi Phi Island Thailand, exciting singapore, more of KL and lots of exciting experiences to come!! :)

A success!

Just wanted to let everyone know- the Cupcake etc Event was a SUCCESS!!

Thanks to everyone who purchased boxes and bags! I sold about 18 cupcake boxes and 30 chocolate chip cookie dough pop bags!!

Im very thankful for the kindness and heart those of you who helped with this cause, and I hope that you all enjoyed your little treats of yumminess!!

Till the next Cupcakes etc Event!! Thank you all!

My Favorite Fitness Gifts to Give!

Today I've compiled my selection of my favorites gifts for the holiday season! There's something for everyone in this list at every price! Click on the links to get one for yourself to give our simply enjoy on your own! :)

The Fitness Gal:

  a) Fitness tone ball!! These bouncy balls are great for home workouts or even any workout at the park, beach, hotel room, etc! The places are endless! This is a great idea for a fitness girl especially if going to a gym or fitness facility isn't convenient. These balls are great for core workouts, balance training and yoga/pilates series! Personally, I always incorporate this piece of equipment into my workouts! Best thing too is it isn't expensive at all!

Here's a wonderful, reliable and good priced ball: Tone Fitness 65cm Anti-burst Stability Ball

  b) Yogi Gifts! Yoga and pilates themed gifts are great options for the women in your life! Listed below are some of my favorite place to get yoga and pilates gifts for myself and others! :)

• Splits59 Apparel- its comfortable, great to workout in (no matter what type of workout), and it looks awesome so you can go from work to workout without changing! 
• Wai Lana Yogi Bars- Delicious so good for you bars that have an awesome zen vibe to them!
• Toe Soxs- NOT JUST ORDINARY TOE SOX these are awareness toesox which is always so so so much better! These socks are perfect for pilates as they have little rubber dots on the soles of the socks making foot work and reformer work more effective and less slipy slidey! 

For both Men and Women: 

Hot Body Pilates DVD! Buy this Pilates based workout on DVD by Hot body pilates and you'll get to workout with head instructor Kloey Hanson as she shows you how to get that Hot Body! RJ and I tried out the DVD and we're not only hooked on it, but sore and sweaty every time we do this revolutionary, one of a kind workout! Get it here on amazon or go to the Hot Body Website! 

The Fitness Guy:

  a) Water-proof Headphones! These "mi sport" headphones are almost too good to be true! They're super hi-tech, waterproof headphones that resist sweat and you can even swim in them! Click on the link to see these amazing headphones!

  b) Vapur water! This is a new concept of drinking bottle. Its no so much a bottle, more like a flat bag/pouch! It stores way more convenient and you're helping the environment! They come in all different sizes and the brand even is helping the UNICEF tap project! Sounds like a good deal to me! Click on the link to see this new concept!

c) Leather Jump Rope! A take anywhere you go, anytime workout equipment that is not only one of the best cardio exercises to do but also can be done anywhere! There's several types out there even ones with weights in the handles! Try walmart, target or any sports store and you'll find a variety at all sorts of prices! Click on the link to go to Everlast's leather weighted jump rope!

For the Equestrian Athlete:

The classic GPA

  a) The GPA Helmet! My own choice for a helmet, this gift says to your equestrian athlete "I care about you safety". One of the safest, most reliable and best looking helmet- the GPA is sold in every tack shop and online store for a reason!  Its a great gift for the equestrian athlete in your life! My favorite design is the titanium but the speed air is a great one too!  Here is a link to where it's sold in San diego, CA----> Mary's Tack

The Titanium

The GPA Speed Air

b) Equestrian Themed Gifts! Back in the Saddle is a great website for finding the cutest gifts for equestrians! Check it out here!