Monday, September 27, 2010

Detoxifying the TMC Way

You have probably already heard or read about The Master Cleanse, known more to many of it’s proponents as TMC. Some people also referred to it as the Lemon Cleanse or the Maple Syrup Diet. Like many, I first heard about it when Beyonce did the diet to prepare for her role in Dream Girls. I thought to myself, if she was able to shed off the pounds and look great in no time then this diet must be something worth looking into.

So, that’s what I did. I did a little research to find out a little more about TMC before actually trying it out. Basically, TMC is a liquid detoxification program” and weightloss diet that was created by alternative medicine performer Stanley Burroughs as early as 1941. It was further developed and finally published into a book in 1976 and promoted further by Peter Glickman in the 1990s and since then has grown in popularity… thanks to both it’s avid proponents and followers, as well as it’s detractors.

In a nutshell, the cleanse involves mixing and drinking 6-12 glasses of the lemonade mixture each day while on the cleanse which should not be less than 10 days long… no solid food is eaten for the entire cleanse. 

Here’s the recipe:    



2 tbsp. of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice 
2 tbsp. of grade B organic maple syrup
1/10th tsp. of cayenne pepper
8 fl.oz. of spring or purified water

The cleanse also involves taking a laxative tea at bedtime and doing a salt water flush every morning.



I’ve actually tried doing the cleanse at least three times in the last two years. My first attempt was what I’d like to call an “epic fail” cause I only survived 3 out of the recommended 10 day minimum. That’s because I sort of jumped into it blindly without really preparing myself for what I was getting into.

My next two attempts at doing the cleanse were quite successful-- I did a 14 day cleanse and followed by another 10 day cleanse. I lost 14 lbs. during the 14 day cleanse and then 10 lbs. during the 10 day cleanse. Doing the cleanse isn’t always a bed of roses—there will be good days and bad days but the more “set” you are on the goal, the easier it is to pull through.I was more equipped this time around because I read more about TMC in detail and understood the nitty-gritty behind it’s detoxification process thanks to the book I bought in Healthy Options entitled Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days—Take charge of your health with the Master Cleanse by Peter Glickman. It’s the first major book written exclusively about TMC since Borroughs published his. Through his book, Glickman takes you step by step into the world of cleansing TMC way. The book is broken down into very helpful chapters which guide you every step of the way. The book’s contents include an Introduction, How to Do the Master Cleanse, Your Master Cleanse Journal & The Master Cleanse Discussion Bulletin Board.

With the way we tend to lead our “busy and hectic” daily lives its not surprising that we often have unhealthy diets, feel tired, are easily irritable and feel generally sick… and a lot of this is due to excessive waste matter accumulating internally. Doing a detox program is like giving your body an overhaul it badly needs… fine tuning it so it can function once again on a clean slate.

TMC is an amazingly simple way to detoxify, lose weight, get back energy and be happier. If you want to try doing something really wonderful for yourself and your body, experience The Master Cleanse to feel and see the difference! --- JJV


* Sources: therawfoodsite.com

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Last Hurrah

With the arrival of the "ber" months, we find ourselves making that last sprint to the "Things to Accomplish for 2010" finish line...Wish us luck!!!

RORIE

1) Enroll in driving school - Sigh. Thought I could get by without having a license and learning how to drive but apparently not. Looks like I have to battle it out with the buses in EDSA and learn to read a street map. Though if I had a BMW SUV, I wouldn't mind driving anywhere, anytime.

 
2) Channel Ina and Martha - Now that I have my own place, looking after my family and managing a household are my top priorities. These superstar homemakers are my idols when it comes to whipping up gourmet dishes and maintaining a spotless house. My current bibles:






Given by my gorgeous daughter Maxinne: The Barefoot Contessa at Home






Given by my future MIL Suzanne. First saw this at bolso babe Kit's pad and knew I
had to have my own copy: Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook

3) Edit my wardrobe - A difficult task for sure given the nature of my work and the number of things I have amassed through the years, but sadly, I have no choice because closet space is LIMITED at our new place. My dream closet when we move to a bigger place next year:
4) Do charity work - While I have given old clothes and monetary donations in the past, what I really want to do is pledge my time and energy. One of the organizations I plan to help out: WE International Philippines

5) Spend more time with my girls - This year has been crazy with work and wedding preps so I have been flaking out on several GNO occasions. I promise to make it up to my LLFs and Cuzins after the wedding is over! ; )


 

KIT

1. I am already on a healthier diet, but I am so out of shape and quite honestly don't get enough exercise. I always find an excuse to NOT work out. And so my most important goal before the year ends is to begin and continue barre3 classes at least twice a week.
2. My husband and I have been planning to take a vacation - minus the kids. With so many things going on this year, it's been a nightmare to schedule. I am still hoping for Spain, but if time won't permit, I'll settle for Japan just to see the auctions at the Tsukiji Market.




3. I don't usually talk about religion - it incites way too many fiery arguments. I've recently been faced with many questions about faith from my sons and I'll be damned (hehe, no pun intended) if I can't give them a proper answer! As Catholics, many of us get caught up in the habit and routine of it all but forget the true foundation of our faith. I think it's important for us to keep studying our beliefs to be able to have a deeper understanding of our faith. I've finally got my copy of the Navarre Bible New Testament Expanded Edition and my goal is to finish it by year's end.


4. The five of us in our family just seem to accumulate so much - junk! This is not good, especially since we live in a condo and don't have the luxury of storage space. We are about as neat as can be, but I shall declutter this year! Mark my words!

5. I may be on a healthier diet, but the boys definitely aren't! Feeding three - er, make that four growing boys is stressful! Especially when they eat non-stop throughout the day. I will find healthier alternatives to their staples of pizza and burgers! And not give in to the temptation of buying instant snacks for my bottomless pits.


KARISIA

My most pressing task: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS for school. After my brief stint at NYU, I find myself itching to leave once more and see the world outside the comforts of Manila. Ol' Blue Eyes did say that "...if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhere..."


Last January I vowed to FIX MY ROOM. And now, 9 months later, I find myself in a panic since my haven has not been re-vamped and is probably in an even worse state than it was! And just because I love To Do Lists, here goes: 1) Start with throw, keep and donate piles. 2) Paint, hang and move things around. 3) Shop. Decorate. Done...Now if only I could buy everything in Ralph Lauren's The Heiress Collection...



As much as running has now become a part of my life, I have yet to SPEED IT UP. My Sissy always says that she "just finished an easy 30-minute 5k" and I'm silently thinking "Umm...my 35-minute 5k contains a lot of huffing and puffing..." I figure that there are some thing’s in life I cannot force to come quickly, but I sure should be able to tell my legs and feet to move faster (with a little bit of help from David Guetta...on my ipod).


You know that go-to pair of shoes you have that puts an extra swing to your step? That is exactly what my black peep-toes do...did...for me. Yes, it's time to finally put them to rest, they have done their job well. I am now asking the help of my BFF Lani, and her fab shoe shop WSW, in my quest to find my next perfect pair. In my dreams I am already wearing Valentino's flower-embellished suede pumps...





I am not a rice lover, except for sushi, my carb enemy is pasta. Recently my Spanish teacher, Mati, gave me a Paella recipe from her native Madrid. I am dying to make this, but I have yet to buy my own paellera. Do know I intend to have mastered my own version in time for mi familia’s Christmas Eve dinner.


JENNY



  • DE-CLUTTER & ORGANIZE MY ROOM This is something that’s in the top of my “things I really must find time to do” list. It’s surprising to see how much things one can accumulate within the year! I’m hoping to find the time to slowly de-clutter and organize my room making it easier for me to move around in again… I can do it, a day at a time!
  • DO ONE MORE 14 DAY MASTER CLEANSE It’s important to do some form of cleansing regularly. When you begin to realize that the basic cause for feeling tired, irritable and generally sick is due to excessive waste matter accumulating internally you’ll want to start cleansing too! In my case, I’ve found one that works well with me-- the master cleanse. It’s a simple detox method that can greatly improve one’s health. I try to do it every 3 months with each cleanse lasting at least 14 days… have to sneak one more cleanse in before year’s end!
  • ENROLL IN A GYM This is something I’ve been hoping to do for a long time now. Finding and making the time to do it has been quite challenging though-- It can be hard to commit to because of the kind of schedule that comes with juggling several theatre commitments at the same time. My “note to self” the past weeks was to make sure I find the time to sign up in a gym and find myself working out in it at least 3x/week… crossing my fingers!

  • GO FOR RF & ULTRASOUND TREATMENTS My sister is a dermatologist and has these machines that can do procedures that i’ve been dying to try but because of my crazy schedule I just haven’t had the time to-- Radio Frequency (RF) Lifting and Firming which works wonders for firming and facial contouring… and Ultrasound Cavitation which targets fat melting, cellulite improvement and body contouring . These non-invasive procedures are a God send to women… need to work on scheduling my sessions soon!

  • PREPARE MORE HOME-COOKED VEGETARIAN MEALS Time, time, time—a luxury which I wished I had more of to spare so that I could work on whipping up more vegetarian meals at home. Not only is it pricey to dine out often but when you’re vegetarian in a carnivorous country like ours it’s not that easy to get a good variety of vegetarian dishes unless you make a special trip to specialized vegetarian restaurants like Corner Tree CafĂ© (which is a winner!!!)… must plan out more kitchen time at home!

Photos from: carscooop.blogspot.com, amazon.com, elledecor.com, moolf.com, echeng.com, thelennoxx.com, net-a-porter.com, spainontheroadagain.com, themastercleanse.org, clickthecity.com

Friday, September 3, 2010

Coming Soon


Ah, September. Not only is it the biggest month for fashion magazines (most issues weigh a ton), it's also the time when my favorite TV shows are back from their hiatus. Aside from the usual suspects (Vampire Diaries, Dexter, Modern Family, Fringe, The Good Wife), I'm quite excited about some of the new shows coming out this fall:



NIKITA
 
Based on the French film from the '90s, Maggie Q stars as a rogue assassin who plans to take down the secret government agency that trained and recruited her.




HELLCATS
 
A comedy-drama about cheerleaders described by Entertainment Weekly as, "Election meets Bring It On."





THE EVENT
 
A mind-blowing thriller about the US Government's cover-up of an alien invasion.





HAWAII FIVE-O
 
A re-imagining of the classic American series about an elite task force in Hawaii, this star-studded show boasts Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Alex O'Loughlin (Moonlight), Scott Caan (Entourage) and the adorable Masi Oka (Heroes).





LONE STAR
 
About a cute con man (think Kyle Chandler from FNL with a bit of George Clooney thrown in) and the double life he leads.





UNDERCOVERS
 
A J.J. Abrams spy series. Enough said.





NO ORDINARY FAMILY
 
The members of a typical suburban family discover they all have special abilities after their plane crashes in the Amazon.





THE WALKING DEAD
 
Aside from watching anything with vampires in it, zombie flicks are another guilty pleasure of mine. The buzz surrounding this series is so high, a second season has already been green lit. When does it premiere? Halloween, of course.





BETTER WITH YOU

A comedy about a family and the different couple relationships between them. The charming Joanna Garcia from Privileged is the main reason why I'm giving this a try.



 

And, as a special treat, I'm sharing my Sacred Show Schedule so you'll know when you can DL the new ones as well as your old, personal faves:

Wednesday, Sept. 8
Hellcats


Thursday, Sept. 9
The Vampire Diaries

Nikita


Monday, Sept. 13
90210

Gossip Girl


Tuesday, Sept. 14

Life Unexpected

Parenthood


Monday, Sept. 20
How I Met Your Mother

Lone Star

The Event

Hawaii Five-0

Castle 


Tuesday, Sept. 21
Glee


Wednesday, Sept. 22
Undercovers
The Middle

Better With You

Modern Family

Cougar Town


Thursday, Sept. 23

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Fringe
Grey's Anatomy 
The Mentalist 


Friday, Sept. 24
Supernatural

CSI: NY


Sunday, Sept. 26

Dexter 
Desperate Housewives

Brothers & Sisters


Tuesday, Sept. 28       
No Ordinary Family
The Good Wife 
  


Wednesday, Oct. 27
Friday Night Lights

Sunday, Oct. 31
The Walking Dead 


P.S. Do remember that all these shows are on U.S. time. - ROC