August 5 - Another Increase in Speed!

Weight: 162 lbs.
Height: 5'5

Cigarettes: 0
Alcohol: 0
Vitamins: 1,000mg Vitamin C
Other Medications: 0

I woke up this morning aching all over! At first I thought that I might be coming down with something again, but as it turned out, it was the mattress I was sleeping on! Hahaha!

Ok... So, even before I could decide about going to the gym in the afternoon instead because my sister's kids were here, I fought it and decided to go to the gym and just go for it!! Good thing I did because this afternoon, I couldn't have gone to the gym anymore.

My activities today:

- Treadmill
Time: 29:00
Distance: 3.53k
Speed: 6.7 - 7.3
Calories Burned: 192
w/ cool down: 45minutes total

- Leg Press
Reps: 12
Sets: 2

- Rotary Calf
Reps: 15
Sets: 2

- Abdominal Workout

Woohoo!! I am so happy coz I was able to jog at 7.3! I actually surprised myself that I was able to do it because I would normally just jog at 6.5... Well, I have been increasing my speed for a few days now, so I guess I was able to up my stamina a little bit.

My menu for today:

BREAKFAST
1/4 cup Springfield Oats & More Sweetened Multi-grain cereal
1/4 cup Skim Milk
1 cup Assorted Fresh Fruits

SNACK
1 cup Nestle Fruit Yogurt
1 Banana

LUNCH

4 sticks Grilled Chicken Breast Satay (Recipe at the bottom)
1/2 cup brown rice
Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce and Sesame Oil

SNACK
1 cup Assorted Fresh Fruits
2 Tbsps Cottage Cheese

SNACK 2
1 cup cooked oatmeal with skim milk and tsp of honey

DINNER

Yakiniku (Chicken, Cuttlefish, and Scallops)
1/2 cup white rice
2 pcs. Uni Sushi


I honestly feel a little bit frustrated that I get hungry every hour now... I have increased my workout levels so I don't know if this play a big factor in my appetite. But, I am able to keep the hunger minimized when I drink a lot of water... But going to the bathroom to pee is getting kind of annoying and is starting to get in the way!

I can't wait to train again tomorrow!

*****

Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers Recipe

2 pcs. Chicken Breast Fillets cut into cubes
1 Fresh Lemon
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp. crushed ginger
1 Tbsp. Kikkoman 43% Less Salt Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp. Cumin Powder
Barbecue sticks

In a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Massage meat carefully without tearing the cubes. marinate over night. Arrange chicken cubes into barbecue sticks and grill for 3 minutes on either sides of the chicken. Serve with Satay Sauce (you can buy this in supermarkets! Just choose ones that have all natural ingredients.)

Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce and Sesame Oil Recipe


1 bunch of Bok Choy Leaves w/ Stems (You can eat a whole bunch of this... It's rich in fiber!!)
4 large crushed garlic
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce

Wash the leaves very well and lay them on a plate that would fit your steamer. Drizzle oil and oyster sauce and top with the crushed garlic. When the steamer has been steaming for 5 minutes, then you can put your veggies in. Steam for only 6 minutes. Do not overcook your veggies, you don't want soggy leaves :/

August 2 - Menu Planning

Weight: 163 lbs.
Height: 5'5

Cigarettes: 0
Alcohol: 0
Medication: 0

I was hoping to do some yoga today from Pulse Yoga in Pasong Tamo, or maybe at the gym but I had a 10AM appointment this morning. Instead, I woke up at 7AM and went for a jog around the village.

My activities for the day:

- Outdoor jogging
Time: 30:25
Speed: 6.0

- Bench Push Ups
Count: 30

Menu of the day:

BREAKFAST
3/4 cup Nestle Honey Gold Cereal
1/2 cup Skim Milk

SNACK
1 cup Assorted Fresh Fruit Cup

LUNCH

Spicy Herb & Garlic Grilled Sole Fish Fillet topped with grilled chopped red peppers and corn kernels (Recipe at the bottom)
1/2 cup Brown Rice

SNACK
1/2 of 6inch Subway Chicken Sandwich (Chicken slices, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, cucumbers) with yellow mustard

SNACK 2
The other half of 6inch Subway Chicken Sandwich (Chicken slices, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, cucumbers) with yellow mustard

DINNER

Goolai pre-packed salad with mango vinaigrette (lettuce, cherry tomatoes, mangoes, crab sticks, squid rings)

I am so happy that I was able to go back to my diet right away after my "treat day" yesterday. I didn't feel guilty about yesterday, I felt that every now and then I had to satisfy some cravings, otherwise... What am I doing all this for right? Everything in moderation... I just have to keep everything at bay, no going over board!!

I was able to do a little menu planning for this week last night so I went to the supermarket today with Raul so that we can shop for this week's menu :) I love this day! We included shrimps, squid and pork this week... But we'll only have pork once every week and trying to stay away from beef!

I got a massage at 10:30PM but I wasn't happy!! The reward massage that I promised to get myself for not smoking each week wasn't so good... Spaholics was so booked that I had to settle for Asian Massage... Sigh... Well, at least it was still a massage :) Haha!

*****

Spicy Roasted Garlic & Herb Grilled Sole Fish Fillet Recipe

1/2 pc. Lemon
1 pc. Sole Fish Fillet
1/2 Tbsp McCormick Grill Mates Roasted Garlic and Herb
Cayenne Pepper (To your liking! Hihihi!)
Small pinch of Nu Salt (This is from Healthy Options, but you can actually skip the salt)

Marinate your fish with the lemon and let sit for about 5-10 minutes in the ref. Set your grill on high heat. Then, rub all the ingredients on both sides of your fillet, and spray the grill with a non-fat cooking spray. Grill your fish for 3 minutes on both sides.

Grilled Chopped Red Peppers and Corn Kernels Recipe


1/4 cup red bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup corn kernels

Skip the oil. If your grill is big enough, you can grill your veggies with your fish. Just let it sit and roast for 3 minutes, then move it around with a saute spatula. Serve on top of the fish!

July 30 - Battle of the CRAVINGS!!

Weight: 163 lbs.
Height: 5'5

Cigarettes: 0
Alcohol: 0
Vitamins: 1,000mg Vitamin C
Other Medication: 0

I was in an extremely bad mood this morning that I had the strongest urge to smoke!! I fought the urge by drinking lots of water and just waited for 5 minutes. It usually takes that long for the craving to go away. Good thing my workout started soon after that episode so it kept my mind of it! Phew! I'm glad I didn't smoke that nasty cig!!

My activities for today:

- Circuit training with my personal trainer
Time: 40 minutes

- Treadmill, Jogging uphill
Time: 3 minutes
Elevation: 5%
Speed: 5.5

- Elliptical Machine
Time: 7 minutes
Level: 5

Right after lunch, my sister and I were so full that I had that stupid craving again! I would tell myself "Ok... 2 minutes, 2 minutes" then... "Ok... 5 minutes, 5 minutes..." I reached 15 minutes before the craving crossed my mind! Phew! I know that it won't be bad tomorrow because this was not the best of days! Hehehe...

I'm so bad... I didn't eat my 6-7 meals today :( Booo! I hate not eating at home because I forget to eat my meals! Sigh... But that's ok, I can make it up tomorrow...

BREAKFAST
1 cup Nestle Honey Gold Cereal
1/2 cup skim milk

LUNCH
Shabu Shabu Veggie Platter and Chicken Yakiniku

SNACK
1 cup Frozen Yogurt

DINNER

1 pc. Baked Spicy Cajun Chicken Fillet (Recipe at the bottom)
1/2 cup Mexican Golden Rice (Recipe at the bottom)
Large serving of Steamed Chili Asparagus (Recipe at the bottom)

My boyfriend had dinner with me and my dad. Dinner was a success! They told me how much they liked everything and couldn't believe that it was very healthy! I didn't use lots of salt nor oil, msg or flavor enhancers!

SUCCESS! I think I deserve another pat on the back :D


Mexican Golden Rice Recipe

1 cup uncooked brown rice (washed and soaked overnight)
1 cup water
1 cup fresh chicken stock
2 red bell peppers
5 cloves garlic
1/4 cup green peas
3/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
fresh ground pepper mill
chopped walnuts (for garnishing)
raisins (for garnishing)

Chop the bell peppers, garlic and green peas in an electric chopper and set aside. In a rice cooker, add the rice and all the ingredients and cook. After the light has turned off, let sit for 10 minutes and fluff with a fork. Just before serving, garnish with walnuts and raisins.

Baked Spicy Cajun Chicken Fillets Recipe

Preheat your oven to 383F or 195C

5-7 pcs Chicken Breast Fillets
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (or more, heehee!)
fresh ground pepper mill
1/2 tsp Rosemary
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1/4 tsp Oregano Powder
Pinch of Salt

1 pack crunchy tempura breading
1 pack McCormick Cajun Seasoning Mix

This is actually better deep fried, but... Baking it is healthier! Anyway, in a large mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients together except the tempura breading and the Cajun mix. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes. The milk will tenderize the meat too!

On a plate, for every 1 cup of tempura breading, mix 1 Tbsp of Cajun Seasoning mix. Cover the chicken with the breading and arrange on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with a non-stick oil spray. Bake for 10 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is no longer transparent. Remember, don't wait for the batter to turn golden brown, this won't happen as this is baked, not fried! :)

Steamed Chili Asparagus Recipe

2 bundles fresh asparagus (not canned!)
5 pcs. large green "sigang sili" -sliced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Kikkoman 43% Low Salt Soy Sauce
Fresh Ground Pepper Mill

After the asparagus have been washed and drained, arrange them on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with Olive Oil and Soy Sauce. Top with the sili and season with fresh ground pepper mill. Wrap and secure, then steam for about 10 minutes. Do not over steam. You want your veggies to be crispy, not soggy!

July 29 - 5k in 54:35!

Weight: 163 lbs!

Height: 5'5

Cigarettes: 0

Alcohol: 0
Vitamins: 1,000mg Vitamin C
Other Medication: 0

I woke up this morning with a little bit of a headache. I was up at 5AM and I couldn't go back to sleep no matter how hard I tried. So I decided to just do my internet and email stuff, brush my teeth and cook Raul's packed lunch for work today, before he picks me up for the gym at 8AM.

Ok... At the gym, this is what happened. My allergies still didn't go away and I was coughing away like crazy until my lungs literally hurt a little bit. I thought it was some follow-thru thing from the colds I just recovered from so I only got to workout for a short while. "Light workout only!" my trainer said... So that I did... Sigh, I was looking forward in running 4k today at the treadmill...

BUT!! I lost 1 pound in 5 days! Last time I weighed was 5 days ago, and there you have it!! I lost 1 lb!! Yey!!

My activities for today:

- Elliptical Machine

Time: 15 minutes

Level: 5

- Abdominal workouts

- Late Afternoon Outdoor Jogging/Brisk Walking

Time: 54:35:7

I got so bored just as when the sun was starting to set so I went out for a little jog.. So I tried to take my time and just try to finish 5k once and for all! So... anyhoo, I called a friend of mine and asked about Bikram Yoga. I have been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for years but the studio has moved somewhere far!! So anyway, I will be trying Bikram Yoga this Friday with my friend.

My menu for the day:

BREAKFAST

1 cup Nestle Honey Gold Cereal

1/2 cup skim milk

SNACK

1 cup assorted fresh fruit cup

LUNCH

3 sticks grilled shrimp kabobs (6 shrimps)

2 sticks grilled eggplant & onion kabobs

1/2 cup cumin and basil chicken brown rice

SNACK

Turkey Sandwich in Wheat Bread

DINNER

Healthy Shabu Shabu -Vegetable Set

Grilled Shrimp with Garlic and Pineapple Kabobs Recipe

6 medium prawns (peeled)

1/4 cup Bragg's All Natural Ginger and Sesame Salad Dressing

1 Tbsp Kikkoman 43% less salt soy sauce

1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric Powder

Fresh ground pepper mill

Pinch of Salt

Fresh Pineapple cubes

6pcs large garlic cloves

In a medium bowl, put in the washed shrimps in and pour all the ingredients except the ground pepper, pineapples and garlic cloves. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes. I marinated mine overnight in the refrigerator. Arrange them in the skewer (or BBQ stick) alternating with the pineapple and garlic.

Put them on the griller, and add your fresh ground pepper (so that you can really taste it and taste the crunchiness of the pepper corns). Grill for 3 minutes on each side. If your electric griller has a cover, cover it so that the steam can cook the sides of the shrimp and veggies. Keep the shrimps wet by brushing it with the marinate mix.

Grilled Eggplant & Onion Kabobs Recipe

4 slices eggplant

6 slices onions

Olive oil

Pinch of Salt

Fresh ground pepper mill

Build your ingredients in a skewer or BBQ stick and set aside on a plate. Drizzle with oilive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until veggies are soft but not overdone, you still want your veggies to have that crunch!

Cumin and Basil Chicken Brown Rice Recipe

1 cup brown rice (soaked overnight)

3 cups fresh chicken stock (recipe at bottom)

3 celery sticks

1/4 green peas

5 pcs. garlic cloves

1 Tbsp Kikkoman 43% less salt soy sauce

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp basil

Fresh ground pepper mill

If you have an electric chopper, finely chop the celery sticks, green pees, and garlic cloves. Set aside. In a pot or rice cooker, put your brown rice (drained) and chicken stock. Add all the rest of the ingredients and cook like regular rice. After cooked, leave covered for 15 minutes and fluff with a fork.

July 28 - Recovery...

Weight: 164 lbs.

Height: 5'5

Cigarettes: 0

Alcohol: 0
Vitamins: 1,000mg Vitamin C
Other Medication: 0

Sigh... Recovering from a cold sucks. I am running out of tissue and my bed is already so hot and sticky from too much of my presence in it! Haha!

Ever since my boyfriend Raul and I did some grocery shopping last Sunday, I have been cooking for him for his "baon" to work. I made him some of my special blanched broccoli with thick garlic and soy sauce. Yum!! I also made him some Cajun Chicken Breast Fillet like what I ate yesterday. I included the broccoli recipe at the bottom :)

My activity for today:

- Ashtanga Yoga

30 minutes

I really wanted to just rest today but I couldn't stay put! My body was like it was looking for sweat and a good workout! I wanted to go out and jog but I also didn't want to overdo it. So instead, I did some Ashtanga Yoga at home and the sweat and workout that my body was looking for was fulfilled.

I am actually looking forward to working out tomorrow at the gym... I am so excited to train for the urbanite run!

My menu for today:

BREAKFAST

1 cup Nestle Honey Gold Flakes

1/2 cup skim milk

SNACK

1 cup assorted fresh fruit cup

LUNCH

Sole Fish Fillet Baked En Papillote (my recipe!! recipe at the bottom)

3/4 cup blanched assorted veggies (corn kernels, green peas, carrots)

1/4 cup brown rice

SNACK

1/2 serving of Goolai prepared salad with Poppy-seed Vinaigrette (lettuce, pomelo, almonds, mangoes, dragon fruit)

SNACK 2

1 cup assorted fresh fruit cup

1 banana

DINNER

1/2 serving of Goolai prepared salad with Poppy-seed Vinaigrette (lettuce, pomelo, almonds, mangoes, dragon fruit)

1 pc. Grilled Cajun Chicken Breast Fillet

*****

Blanched Broccoli with thick Garlic and Soy Sauce

1 1/2 cup Washed and strained broccoli flowers (set aside in a mixing bowl)

2 Tbsps chopped garlic

1 cup water

1 1/2 Tbsps Kikkoman 43% reduced sodium soy sauce

3 Tbsps. Cornstarch

Ground pepper

Pinch of salt

In a small pot boil about a pint of water. When boiling, pour over your broccoli flowers and cover with a plate for 1 minute only. Strain and cover again with a plate. Set aside.

In a sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil and continue stirring until slightly browned only. Add 1 cup of water and stir until it comes to simmer. Immediately add soy sauce and stir in cornstarch a little at a time completely dissolving the powder. Add ground pepper and salt to taste and boil until sauce is nice and thick. Set aside.

When you are going to serve the broccoli, all you need to do is heat the sauce and pour over your flowers! Your veggies will still have that nice crunch!

Sole Fish Fillet En Papillote Recipe

*Cooking en papillote is a method in which you seal the food in a pouch and bake. The food essentially steams in the oven in its own juices.

Pre-heat your oven to 180C or 356F

1 Fish Fillet (I used Sole but you can choose any fish you like)

1/2 slice of lemon

1 whole onion sliced in rings

3 large pcs of garlic thinly sliced (makes about 2 Tbsps)

2 Tbsps Onion Leeks

1 tsp sliced ginger

2 Tbsps Sesame Oil

2 Tbsps Kikkoman 43% Less Sodium Soy Sauce

Fresh ground pepper

1 sheet of Aluminum Foil

Marinate your fillet with the lemon and let sit for about 15 minutes. On a sheet of aluminum oil, arrange your onion slices as a "bed" for your fish. Put the onion leeks, garlic and ginger on top of your fish. Drizzle with the sesame oil and then the soy sauce. Season with pepper and wrap the fish, sealing it well making sure the juices don't spill. Bake the fish for about 20 minutes and check until the fish is no longer transparent. Make sure you don't over bake because it might dry out.

Blanched Assorted Vegetable Siding Recipe

1/4 cup diced carrots

1/4 cup green peas (frozen or fresh)

1/4 cup corn kernels (canned)

In a small pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt, drop the carrots and peas first to blanch until they are nice and tender. As soon as they are done, drop the corn kernels and blanch for 1 minute and strain.