Search This Blog

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Conviction


Last night I saw the film Conviction with Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell. I have to say, this was an incredible movie. Hilary Swank is brilliant as always, and Sam Rockwell really shines in this film. I am utterly confused as to why this was not nominated for any Academy Awards??? (Really, True Grit was nominated? Toy Story 3?? But not this? Blasphemy!)
If you haven't seen this movie, GO SEE IT NOW!

What makes this movie even more amazing is the fact that its a true story. Hilary Swank has said that Betty Anne Waters is her "real life hero" and I can see why. This woman put everything she had into becoming a lawyer (I think without having graduated high school) to save her brother. She dedicated her life to freeing him. It is such an inspirational and beautiful story of sibling love. Throughout the entire film I was imagining how painful it would be to see your own sibling go through that. She is an absolutely amazing woman and such an inspiration.


True, this seems quite unrelated to fashion and health, but when I feel this strongly about something, no matter what it is, I feel I have to share. And what we can take from this movie is determination. Giving yourself a goal and sticking to it. Its about working hard for what you believe in, whether its justice, your family, women's rights, poverty, the nation or the world's health, or your own health.

I took an enormous amount from this film, but what I'd like to share with you is the inspiration to work hard and never give up. If Betty Anne Waters can spend 20 years studying and working hard to free her brother from prison when it seemed impossible, then I can sure as hell run my lazy ass off on the treadmill!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Karl, you know you love me. Xoxo, Blake

Looks like little miss Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants is now fashion envy. It was recently announced that Gossip Girl Blake Lively will be the new face of Chanel's Mademoiselle handbag line. Who better to represent the luxurious and iconic line than Karl's new BFF, Blake? I must say I'm a little jealous of this newfound friendship. Ms. Lively better cherish this relationship and the opportunities he's handing her on a black & white quilted tray; Lagerfeld is fashion royalty. And I, for one, would kill for her position. Literally.


Xoxo,
Fashion + food lover


Thursday, January 27, 2011

Just do it

Of all the different fun and exciting ways to get cardio in, I choose the most boring: running. Maybe its because it the easiest and I don't have to learn new moves or go out and buy all these confusing contraptions. Maybe its because I have access to a treadmill and its convenient. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to try something new. Either way, its been working for me (knock on wood!)

Once in awhile I'll switch it up and run outside (depending on the ever-present rain) or go for a bike ride, but mostly I stick to my 30 minutes of sweating it out on the treadmill. I get my music going in my ear and turn some trashy MTV program on just to stare at. I feel so good after I run and I always challenge myself with an incline or upping my time or speed. I bore quite easily, but strangely this just doesn't get boring day after day. Maybe its because I'm always challenging myself, or maybe because I have great music to kick it to.

I also do some crunches, sometimes some push-ups, and other strength training. I'd really like to learn some new types of strength training and stick to it though. There are so many benefits to strength training! That will be my goal for the next month.

Although I said I don't get bored, I still like to change it every week and do something different for one or two days like going for a long, challenging hike by the ocean with my boyfriend or playing a game of tennis or soccer, etc. That way, I have my routine that I'm constantly improving upon, but I'm also trying new things and working different parts of the body!

Let me know, what are your routines? How do you like to work out? We can all try something new!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Toned swan


I recently saw the film that everyone can't stop talking about, Black Swan. While a little disturbing, I quite enjoyed the film. I've always appreciated ballet and how amazingly toned and muscular ballerinas are, but I now have a newfound respect for all the hard work that goes into ballet. Its unbelievable. There is so much commitment needed to be a full-time dancer and its just so impressive. The bodies of dancers and in particular ballet dancers, are spectacular! All that muscle definition and strength!

The star of the movie, Natalie Portman, did an absolutely wonderful job in this film and finally earned her first lead Academy Award nomination! Its been a long time coming but what better film to carry her there than this? I predict she's going to take the Oscar next month. Black Swan is also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Cinematography, and Film Editing.







Not to be ignored in this film are the exquisitely detailed and beautiful costumes, all by Rodarte. Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the creators of the popular brand did quite an impressive job with these gorgeous dresses worn in the film. The costumes are amazing and are enough to make any fashionista put on some pointe shoes & give it a whirl!





Monday, January 24, 2011

Lose weight by eating carbs?


Browsing the bookstore a few weeks ago, I came across a book I thought I must've inspired: The Carb Lover's Diet. Thinking this sounded like either a) the best invention ever or b) a load of bull, I picked it up to find out exactly how I could actually lose weight by loading up on pasta, bread and rice. The authors were on Rachael Ray last week talking about how exactly their diet works. Its based on a principle called resistant starch.

Resistant starch is a type of carb that resists digestion in the small intestine, which makes you feel fuller, boosts your metabolism and burns more fat, while your body doesn't take in all the calories from it! This means you'll have more energy, it will balance your blood sugar and lower your cholesterol. You're probably thinking what I was thinking: "WHAT? Where has this been all my life? Sounds like the perfect type of food!" And, mixed with other essential foods such as fruits, vegetables and proteins, it is! Resistant starch can be found in foods such as whole wheat pasta, potatoes, whole wheat, rye, sourdough and pumpernickel bread, and apparently, chips.

They suggest getting between 10 and 15 grams of resistant starch a day, which can raise your fat burning by up to 25%! One miracle resistant starch-heavy food? Bananas. One regular sized banana can have up to TWELVE grams of resistant starch!! So what the Carb Lover's Diet is pushing is really a diet of foods in moderation, and eating whole grain and complex carbs instead of white, simple, refined carbs. Sounds fine to me!

If anyone's currently sticking to this diet to lose weight, let us know how its going!

Check out the show if you missed it here: Carb Lover's Diet on The Rachael Ray Show

Official Carb Lover's Diet website: http://www.carblovers.com/health/carblovers/index.jsp

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Agave: Nature's sweetener

My latest obsession is called agave [pronounced uh-gah-vee] nectar or syrup. Its a natural sweetener that you can substitute for your regular sugar, or God forbid, Splenda. (I seriously hope none of you are using Splenda or any other sugar subsitute such as Equal or Sugar Twin. These are TERRIBLE for your body, to say the least. Its all chemicals & aspartame - don't get me started on that!) So this natural nectar or syrup comes from the agave plant which is also where tequila comes from! Anyway, its actually quite sweet and you don't need very much of it at all. I've been using it in my coffee lately & its great! Oh and its best to go for the raw kind.



On the topic of natural sugar substitutes, I thought I might suggest a few other ideas which are much better than refined, processed white sugar, which will wreak havoc on your body, for sure. PURE maple syrup is a good one. As long as you get the pure stuff, so its not processed or injected with regular sugar. Brown sugar is another good substitute for regular white. Also, natural honey. It can be a little hard to find, but most health food stores should carry it; the regular supermarket kinds are usually so processed & altered that there's really nothing good left in them.

Friday, January 21, 2011

About moi

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself. I am a 20-something city girl who's nuts for fashion. I am a fashion merchandising grad and I love love LOVE everything fashion. I also love to travel. Its my absolute favourite thing to do and I want to go everywhere! I love seeing new places and learning about their history and experiencing their culture. I also love movies, music, art, architecture, history, and to some extent, cooking. I really enjoy food but I also care very much about my health, which is why I started this blog.

Every year I promise myself I'm going to get in shape and be healthier. While I do generally eat fairly healthy (some chocolate is healthy, right?), I can never get motivated to exercise. I carry on that resolution until about halfway through the first week of January and then I never cast a sideways glance to that treadmill again. I am lazy. And I am the first to admit it. I hate working out. It bores the hell out of me! And while I've learned that you really can't force anyone to do anything until they're ready, you really can't force yourself either. You have to be ready. I couldn't for the life of me make myself stick to a workout plan because I didn't want to. But this year I guess I'm ready and I want to; I WANT to get in shape and look hot.

I've made it four weeks (I started early) working out 4 days a week. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I am really proud of myself and I really REALLY want to stick with it. I need to lose that extra little belly pooch and just generally tone up a bit more. But beyond that I really want to be active and fit because I need to be. Its essential. So please help me and pass on some words of encouragement and motivation! I want to hear your stories of success, of failure, of those midnight binges! Recipes, tips, which kind of exercise works for you or doesn't, lemme know how its going for you!

Lots of love,
(and willpower),
fashionfoodie

Watch out world...

So, I've decided to start a blog. Clearly. You're probably thinking "who is this girl who thinks she can start and a blog and people will actually CARE about what she has to say?" And I'm about to tell you.... YOU'RE CORRECT. What do I have to say? A lot. I talk a lot. And if you'd ask my friends & family they'd probably say its out of my ass most of the time. And they're probably right too.

Anyhow, I've started this blog to follow me on my journey to enlightenment, health & happiness. 2011 is the year I've decided to actually keep my new years resolutions and thus far I have (much better than last year!) So this blog is to keep me motivated! To keep me going. And if anyone actually decides to read it, that will motivate me even more!

So this is the disclaimer: If you decide to read this blog, I cannot promise that it will be intelligent. But I can promise it will be real, honest and most likely funny to watch (or read, rather) as I make an ass out of myself in every possible way. And it will make you realize that you're not alone in your own crazy journey to get fit, educated, enlightened, happy or whatever it is you've decided you need to do!