Have you heard of the Paleo diet?

Matt and I met with a Crossfit trainer last week. We were hoping to do private training but his schedule is too packed, he's unable to train us. Instead, we will join the 4-week On Ramp introductory class, starting this Saturday. I'm excited but also scared! I've been looking at pictures of Crossfit women. In those pictures, they're lifting huge barbells, pulling a car (omg, really!?), crazy gymnastic moves and other moves that I can hardly see myself doing. Yes, that's what we are signing up for!

Jorge also introduce us to the Paleo diet. I've never heard of it and in the last week, I've been doing some research. I found many blogs touting about the benefits of Paleo and the changes they feel and see in their bodies. Paleo is a modern nutritional plan that mimics that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors - lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits and nuts. 

I found this description of Paleo on Whole Nine via Fitbomb, 

I eat "real" food - fresh, natural food like meat, vegetables and fruit. I choose foods that are nutrient dense, with lots of naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, over foods that have more calories but less nutrition. And food quality is important - I'm careful about where my meat comes from, and buy produce locally and organically as often as possible. 

It's not a low calorie "diet" - I eat as much as I need to maintain strength, energy and a healthy weight. In fact, my diet is probably much higher in fat than you'd imagine. Fat isn't the energy - it's a great energy source when it comes from high quality foods like avocado, coconut and nuts. And I'm not trying to do a "low carb" thing, but since I'm eating vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereal and pasta, it just happens to work out that way.  

Eating like this is good for maintaining a healthy metabolism, and reducing inflammation within the body.  It’s been doing great things for my energy levels, body composition and performance in the gym.  It also helps to minimize my risk for a whole host of lifestyle diseases and conditions, like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Fitbomb's wife, Nom Nom Paleo shares some amazing Paleo recipes on her blog. The pictures of the food looks amazing, and I'm thinking following a Paleo diet wouldn't be too hard for me. I've always thought of myself as one of those who live to eat rather than eat to live. But I'm starting to pay the price of my gluttony, my clothes are getting tighter and my family who haven't seen me in months weren't afraid to tell me that I need to lose weight.

Check out this Paleo food blog, I likey!

I've also ordered 3 Paleo cookbooks and I can't wait for them to arrive!

So begins our Crossfit/Paleo adventure! I'm going to work out at least four times a week (3 Crossfit classes) and cook more.

Happy Valentine's Day

Remember to let the ones you love know that you love them!

Can you believe Jennifer Aniston is 43?

Check out the cover of Instyle's March 2012 issue. Jennifer Aniston looks gorgeous!

Source: Huffington Post

Stella, Stella

My faithful companion at SFO. I'm just sitting around, waiting for my flight which is taking off in 1hr 30min.

What better way to ready myself for a flight than a beer! I'm so ready to sleep...*yawn*

Cheesy bridal shower game

It's Cynthia's bridal shower today and the maid of honor has asked that we each bring an underwear for her. We'll be playing a guessing game where Cynthia has to guess the underwear each guest brought.

I really didn't know what to bring till Steph showed us a picture of a VS underwear with the words "All Nighter" on it coz they went clubbing a lot when Cynthia was still single. That gave me an idea to bring something that hopefully reminds her of dressing up for the Halloween parties we used to go to. One year, I'd borrowed Cynthia's police officer costume. It actually took me a year to return it, oops!

So here, I found a cartoon online. I printed it, cut it out and stick it onto the cute pink underwear I bought. Hope she gets it right!

It's such a cheesy game but I think it'll be fun!

Objects of desire

At the end of last year, I spent time sorting all my clothes and I ended up donating 5 big bags (filled to the brim!) of clothes and shoes to Goodwill. And I still have one box of clothes at home, filled with clothes that are either brand new or worn only once, that I couldn't bear to donate and I'm hoping I'll get round to selling them someday. So this year, I'm going to only buy clothes that I love! If I don't love it, I'm not going to buy it. And I've learn the hard way that I shouldn't buy clothes that can't be returned.

Here's the list of items I would love to have. But ever since I started using Mint regularly to keep track of my expenditure, it has been hard for me to justify such big purchases. 

1. Booties (These are now in my shoe closet! I bought them for 50% less at a Stuart Weitzman sale!)

I really want a pair of ankle-length suede booties. I've seen lots of booties but they aren't cut the way I like it. I want a pair that is right at the ankles with a rounded (in this case, V) front. This way, they elongate the legs. These would be versatile, they'll look great with a dress and tights or jeggings. 

Stuart Weitzman "Greatneck" booties from Bloomingdales

2. Classic tall gray Uggs

For the longest time, I thought these are the ugliest things! Then a lot of my friends started wearing them (both short and tall) and I was convinced to try a pair. I love it, it's nice and warm! Call me a groupie, but I want a pair too! 

Source: Bloomingdales

3. Ballet flats

I really NEED a pair of ballet flats for the weekends coz I have nothing to wear on weekends. I can't wear the high heels that I wear for work and I don't want to wear sneakers. And it's so cold now, it's not sandals season. But it has to be comfy, I've tried too many pairs of flats that look great but hurt! Can't decide if I want the Tory Burch Reva in black or gold. Is gold too loud?

4. Macbook Pro or Air

I've been thinking it's time for a new computer. My 4-year old iMac still works and looks as beautiful as on Day 1 but it'll be nice to have the portability of a laptop. These babies aren't cheap though, hmm.

5. Dining table and chairs that I love!

I bought the dining table that I have now off Craigslist. It was the day I was moving in to my apartment, and I was in Half Moon Bay to pick up a Room and Board couch that I bought off someone on Craigslist. I was desperate for a dining set coz I was moving in and had sold the one I had (I wanted a new look!). While we were driving back to South Bay, I looked up CL posting on my phone and found a Crate & Barrel dining set that was going for $60. $60! Cheap, cheap, cheap! And it was in Mountain View, which wasn't far from my apartment. I called rightaway, got there, took a look and into the U-Haul it went! The girl that I bought the dining set from said it was the fastest CL sale ever! I'd called 5 minutes after she posted it. 

But what I really want is a mid-century teak dining table with 2 expandable leaves to accommodate 6 when I have dinner parties. And I really want Eames chairs! I doubt I'm going to make the plunge though, no more furniture hunting till I have my own house (hopefully by 2013?). 

Source: The Brick House

My list of best and worst dressed stars at GG 2012

Did you watch the Golden Globe 2012 awards on Sunday? I was working my ass off on the treadmill at the gym (with the illusion that I may someday look perfect like one of those beautiful stars on the big screen...fat hope, pun intended) and this was on. I don't really care about who wins what award, I am more interested in what the stars wear! Check out this list of best and worst dressed stars on NYDailyNews.com. Unless otherwise stated, all the pictures in this posting were taken from the site.

Best dressed
Charlize Theron dazzles in this dress! The camera panned across the room and I caught a glimpse of her in the soft pink dress and thought she looked fabulous. For a minute, I was toying with the idea of looking for a dress in this color to wear to my sister's church ceremony in 2 weeks. Also love the sparkly headband, I have a similar one that I bought from Asos. I'll ask the stylist if she could make me look like Charlize Theron. LOL!

Charlize Theron in Dior 

Nude dresses trump!
I've certainly noticed nude/nud-ish dresses are all over the red carpet on Sunday. And I think they are lovely! Well, most of them anyways. Jessica Biel's covered up lacy dress was dreadful!

Diane Lane in Reem Acra. Can you believe she's 46?

Shaileen Woodley in Marchesa

Jessica Alba making a spectacular
post-baby appearance in Gucci

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Nude fashion faceoff!
(Source: E! Online)
One of a woman's worst fear, showing up for a party to find another girl dressed in the same dress! This is the same dress, but a different party. Julie Bowen looks gorgeous in the nude dress, I love the beaded cap sleeve. Who wore it better? I have to say Olivia Wilde looked better in the off-white version.

Julie Bowen (Golden Globe '12) and Olivia Wilde (Emmy's 2008)

Classic black

Black will always be in style. I think these stars wore it best! 

Selma Hayek in Gucci

Mila Kunis in Christian Dior

Claire Danes in J. Mendel

I included Sofia Vergara in this category too. Well, dark blue is kinda black-ish. I have never thought of her as attractive or hot, I've seen photos of her where I thought she looked mannish. But she sizzles in this dress and looks gorgeous here!

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang. HOT!

Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka. 

Worst dressed

I don't know why fashion critics are saying Michelle Williams is one of the best dressed. I think she looks dreadful in this purplish velvety gown. I like Jason Wu (I'm going gaga over his soon-to-be-launched Target collection) but this is just blah. 

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu

Lea Michele in Marchesa

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs.
The tiered lace makes her look frumpy. 

Madonna in Reem Acra

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen.

Naya Rivera in Vera Wang.
The fabric is cheap looking!

Best of show
This cute Jack Russell, Uggie, stole the show!

Looking smart in a black bow tie ;)

One last thing...
By  the way, did anyone think Matt LeBlanc has a lot of gray hair?

Source: Hollywood Reporter