Monthly Archives: April 2010

Dukan Diet – The Secret of French Women

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 28, 2010 None comments

I have always wondered why most French women have the slim figure when French food are full and rich in cheese, sugar, cream and even chocolate sauces on desserts.  French cooking gives me the impression of rich taste that I have specially indulged in their pasta recipes with cream and variety of cheese sauces.

Dr. Pierrie Dukan is a French nutritionist who came up with a diet program that claims to be the secret of slim and fashion fit women.  Dr. Dukan’s diet method has become popular due to claims of how effective it is especially on overweight individuals.  The Dukan diet has a reported effect of 3 to 5lbs. average weight loss per week.  The program has four phases which is so easy to follow and very effective.  It’s methodology is basically ‘all-you-can-eat’ in four phases for the entire program.  Dukan diet is based on natural protein food and no carb.

The four phases in the Dukan Diet are as follows.

ATTACK Phase:  All protein in the form of low-fat meat like beef, chicken, turkey; fish, cottage cheese, zero fat yoghurt, etc. 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran; water; and 20 minutes of walk everyday.

CRUISE Phase:  Nothing-but-protein days alternated by nothing-but-protein-and-vegetables days; water; 2 tablespoons of oat bran; 30 minutes of brisk walking everyday.  This phase could last upto two months.  You can switch to phase 3 when you have already reached your target weight.

CONSOLIDATION Phase:  Here you do not lose weight anymore, you just maintain the weight that you have achieved.  Food intake will basically be patterned to the Cruise phase but with subtle changes.

EAT WHATEVER YOU LIKE Phase:  This sounds so good, but diet should still be continuous although I should say that eating should be more enjoyable here considering the fact that you have already got used to the diet pattern in Phase three.  Here, eat a Phase 3 diet except on Thursday, because Thursday should be nothing-but-protein day.

Although I don’t need to lose weight (because I need to gain weight), I am very interested in purchasing Dr. Dukan’s book and learn from it.  The said four phases of the diet program seems to be really interesting as they are said to be extremely easy and bearable.  This is the kind of diet that won’t make you hungry or starve you.  Dr’ Dukan’s book “Je ne sais pais maiqrir’ (‘I don’t know how to lose weight’”) was released early this year and is now available at Amazon.

If you want a further detail on the four phases of this diet, here’s a link to an article:  http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2010/04/21/how-the-dukan-diet-works-the-french-diet-that-is-supposed-to-end-the-obesity-epidemic/

The Way To Mom’s Heart…

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 23, 2010 None comments

“I wondered what would lead me to mom’s heart…”  What an innocent thought that led me to believe mom did not love me at all whenever she was upset.  A pleaser as I was, I would usually do house chores and show off.  I was thinking “Yes, this is the way to please mom and make her happy”.  In the most innocent world of a child, seeing mom shifted from being upset to a light mood made me happy as well.  I knew everything was well and back  to routine.

As I confirm my innocent thought “Where’s the way to mom’s heart?…” I was brought back to awe and amuse myself on how my kids make my heart tender in every little thing that they do.  But the truth is, their mere presence makes my heart glow and fuel me mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  What else can I ask for?  What can a mother of two beautiful kids wish for?

Giving birth to two beautiful souls have made me complete as a woman.  A mother’s conception to an innocent soul creates a link that is immovable from her heart to this soul’s heart.  The connection between a mother and a child is created from the time they were united physically in the womb.  No amount of upset moods and nagging of a mother can take that connection away between them.

Moms, can you hear and feel me?  Is not it amazing how the lessons of motherhood made us realize so many things that we ourselves were asking when we were little?  I think the spirit of Mother’s Day is sinking in me this early.

Reminiscing…..

Glutathione – Not Just A Beauty Capsule

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 22, 2010 4 comments

With all the beauty products that are in the market, from cosmetics, vitamins, food and drinks with anti-oxidants and oral supplements, consumers would usually ask one question:  Which among this plethora of products really works?

I can only recommend products that I have already tried for myself.  I am a person that is not really interested in cosmetics or make-ups although I have been trying several products lately.  I think as women mature we develop more interest in this product lines.  There anti-aging products that I have tried though even before I reached the age of 30.  Don’t be shocked.  It was not because I was feeling old but it was because of some health issues that I got to know them and try them.

I have recently mentioned in my earlier post about the Glutathione capsules.  I have known this anti-oxidant and beauty capsule for more than a decade now.  It was once popularized by celebrities who wanted to make their skin complexion fairer (What’s wrong with them?  Our Filipina or olive complexion is beautiful!)  I have also known a person who would takes the highest dosage allowable just to make her skin really fair (yeah, this one is obsessed!).  My dermatologist prescribed to me the glutathione capsules to make my skin healthier.  I am a sufferer of atopic dermatitis which can really get bad all year round.  Aside from the fact that I am allergic to dust and develop food intolerance when my skin has been damaged due to my allergy, my dermatologist prescribed glutathione as a supplement.  She suggested that I take 500-1000mg of glutathione every day.

What are the main benefits of Glutathione?

Glutathione is made of three amino acids – cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid.  It is known as the most abundant natural anti-oxidant that can be found in every part of the human body, especially the lungs, intestinal tract, and liver. However, the largest amounts of glutathione can be found in the liver, where it is used to detoxify harmful compounds so that they can be removed from the body through the bile.

Glutathione also helps keep red blood and white blood cells healthy to maximize the disease-fighting power of the immune system.

Glutathione has an anti-aging effect on our body as well.  Good supply of glutathione in our body helps our body fight free radicals that can expedite the wearing down of our body.

The retention and good dosage of glutathione will help boost our immune system.  There is also no known side effect of taking it in regular dosage.  What I love about glutathione is the noticeable effect on how good it did on my skin.  My skin was more young looking and blemishes are almost invisible.  It gives a glow on the skin that makes its appearance so fresh and supple.

Remember though that good diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle are still the key to looking young and staying well.

Spaghetti Broccoli

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 20, 2010 1 comments

A simple recipe that is fast and easy.  This can be a very good alternative to the most common spaghetti recipe using a couple of bunch of broccoli flower and a handful of peeled prawns.  The taste is simple and every mouthful makes you eat and want for more.

Ingredients: Boiled/cooked 250grams spaghetti, broccoli flower (as mush as you like), 1 tablespoon of finely chopped garlic, coarsely ground pepper, peeled prawns, olive oil, thick cream or all-purpose cream.

Half of the broccoli must be cooked until tender that it can be mashed; While half must be half-cooked (still crispy).

Procedure: Heat pan and pour olive oil.  Saute garlic until tender but not brown.  Put in the prawns and cook for few seconds.  Pour in the pre-boiled broccoli.  Mash the over-boiled broccoli; this will give more flavor to the sauce. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.  Finally, pour in the cream.  The idea is for the cream to just add thickness and a bit of creamy taste that will stick to the pasta.  Therefore, the cream should not overwhelm the sauce.  Three to five tablespoons of cream will do.

Boil pasta until cooked al dente.  Toss in with the broccoli sauce.  Enjoy!

Alternative ideas: You can also use other pasta like linguine, fussilli or tagliatelle.  The broccoli sauce can also be made without cream for those who are on diet.  It is good to serve it with more broccoli and less (just a cup) of pasta – this is already a complete meal!

Bio-Oil: Scar Removal & Anti-Ageing Product

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 11, 2010 1 comments

I used to take heaps of Glutathione tablets just to get rid of unwanted marks and discoloration on my skin.  It was really effective; it worked amazingly on my skin!  But spending thousands of pesos a month for a regular supply seemed impractical – that though I realized after almost a year.

With the revolution of skin scar removal products and other scientific skin treatment, department stores, chemists and pharmacists were flooded with curious consumers who were hopeful to avail remedy of their skin issues.  I have never tried a skin oil intended for removing scars and marks that is as good as Bio-Oil.  Sounds familiar?

Bio Oil Specialist Skin Care

I have seen Bio-Oil before in pharmacies and department stores.  However, I was always hesitant to try it because I have tried other similar products to which I just wasted my hard earned money.  Almost nine months ago I gave Bio-Oil a try and I was not disappointed.  At of this time, the scars that I got from my skin allergies and rashes due to food intolerance are much lighter now.  Their appearance is almost invisible.  I can tell that Bio-Oil works faster and very effectively in removing marks.

Bio-Oil is also recommended as skin moisturizer that keeps the skin young-looking.  It is also safe to use as facial moisturizer according to the chemist in the pharmacy where I bought it from.  Bio-Oil contains the breakthrough ingredient Pur Cellin oil, other natural oils, chamomile,  as well vitamins A and E.

For me, keeping our skin healthy is a combination of direct skin pampering and treatment, nutrition and goodnight sleep and rest.  Nothing beats the wonders that sufficient water intake can do to our skin.  I have also started to avoid sugar whether from drinks, sweets or desserts as sugar can cause skin breakouts.  Although the marks that I get from rashes due to my allergy is almost unavoidable, I am confident that Bio-Oil will continue delivering what it promises-and that is removing scars and maintaining youthful skin.

Squid Recipe You’ll Love!

Posted by Antoniette Sellaro on April 10, 2010 3 comments

Having been on a special diet for nine looooong months because of my food intolerance, I can’t help but cook this recipe last month when I was allowed by my dietitian to have a bit of soy sauce in my food for reaction test.  This squid recipe is so easy to prepare.  However, whether you want it quick or slow-cooked is up to you.  I prefer mine slow-cooked.

Toni's Squid Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Kilo squid; 1 head of garlic; olive oil; quarter cup of Kikkoman soy sauce; crushed black pepper; chopped parsley for garnishing

The squid must be cleaned, ink sack removed.  You can leave some of the ink though if you want as this adds more flavor to the sauce.  Remove the outer reddish/purple-ish skin layer of the squid, but this is optional as well because some like to cook the squid as is.  Cut the squid in rings.  The white fat inside the squid should not be removed because that’s what brings more flavor to the dish.

Optional: chillis; sesame oil

Procedure:

Pour olive oil in a pan (non-stick preferably) on medium heat.  Saute finely chopped garlic.  Don’t brown garlic; cook until it’s tender only.  Put in the squid and saute continuously for a minute.  You don’t need to add water here because all the liquid and juice from the squid will come out.  That is enough to cook the squid in but if you want more sauce then you can add a bit of water.  Cover the pan with a lid and put the heat down.  Simmer for few minutes.  Pour in the soy sauce and season with black pepper.  Put the lid back and keep the heat low.  Cook between 15-30 minutes depending on how much remaining sauce you want.  I prefer mine nearly dry and the remaining sauce very sticky.  Yum!

Serve with steamed rice and garnish with chopped parsley.  The optional chillies and sesame oil can be added right after you turned off the heat.  The sesame oil will give it a bit more of Asian flavor while the chillies is for some heat which some people really like but I don’t.

This recipe is inspired by the Tokyo Tokyo food chain (Manila local) which I and my sister love!  We came up with this recipe several years ago when Tokyo Tokyo pulled out the squid meal from their menu.  Bon apetito!