Fabulous At Every Age : Brooke Shields

Fabulous At Every Age : Brooke Shields

She is nearing 50, she is a mother, a stunner, an actor, a wife, a role model and so much more..She is Brooke Shields..
So today I decided to give you a little peek into her life, her diet, her fitness and her 5 secrets to being happy and confident at every age.
The excerpts are taken from her interview which appeared in Shape magazine in 2008, when she was just recovering from a foot surgery..
Brooke Shields: " I cant believe I said Id do this shoot (a bikini shoot) when I havent been able to exercise in eight weeks" she says, pointing to her foot, bandaged from bunion surgery.
But, like a best friend she is eager to share the details o how she dug deep to find the confidence to put on that bikini.

1.Anticipate Setbacks
  "I was worried about getting out of shape and gaining weight after the surgery. So just as I did with my pregnancies, I decided to go into it at my physical best." That meant ramping up her exercise routine to preemptively drop a few pounds before her surgery. " Spinning is the only way I lose weight."

2.Be Your Own Inspiration
  "Feeling fit is my best motivator. I can only look at myself and remember that feeling and why I liked it."

3.Eat For Energy
   In the morning she shares the breakfast she makes her daughters: eggs, whole-wheat toast, and fruit smoothies or fruit. For a mid-day snak, she has greek yogurt with honey and for lunch, she often helps the girls finish a bowl of organic shells and cheddar. When she wants to lose weight she knows what corners to cut laying off bread, pasta and desserts. She also works out more.

4.Find A Balance That Works For You
  It is hard to balance family and work but it is important to find that balance. " If I am with my kids 24/7, I go out of my mind! I'm thinking playdate playdate! But when I am working, I appreciate my time with them even more and give them my undivided attention.

5.Celebrate Your Strengths
  She had her insecurities too, never feeling she was pretty till she was in her 30's. She hopes to help her daughters find that balance sooner. "I catch myself calling them 'pretty girls' or 'beautiful babies', then I remind myself to say, You're smart, strong, brave and beautiful."

Greek Yogurt Dessert Recipe : Skinny Dessert

"Greek Yogurt Dessert Recipe"

If the last post got you all inspired and geared up to run down the health and fitness track, this post will propel your plans further.
If you have spent some time on this blog, you know I love my desserts, but whenever I indulge in them that little calorie counter sitting in my head keeps on and on with its scornful tick tock tick tock..so I decided to squash the annoying thing with this yummy and healthy greek yogurt (hung curd) dessert recipe..
It is simple, delicious, healthy, skinny and clean...all the food adjectives I love, put together in one "healthy greek yogurt recipe"..

Ingredients:
It has a rich and creamy mouth feel thanks to the hung curd or greek yogurt.
A tangy punch from the citrus of the orange and orange zest.
Healthy kind of sweet from honey or agave nectar..
And the pistachios make it crunchy and yummy..

Method:
1. Take some low fat yogurt, put it in a muslin cloth and hang it overnight so the water is drained  out and rich creamy goodness is left for us to use
2. Mix the hung curd, crushed pistas, chopped oranges and orange zest together.
3. Scoop it on to a platter, garnish with orange slices, pistas and drizzle honey over it..
yumm...yumm...
4. Refrigerate for a little while and indulge..

Your yummy "healthy greek yogurt dessert recipe" is all done and good to eat. 

I have made it on two occasions, and it has been a big hit, it satisfies my sweet tooth and the calorie counter has no idea what hit it...so are you ready to try the
"Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipe"

How I Stay Fit : Zahra's Workout Secrets

"How I stay fit series, Zahra's Workout Secrets"
Very often I come across women who are super women, they do it all, work, workout, handle tantrums - kids and husbands, manage a home, a business and they do it all so effortlessly and elegantly...that they leave people like me wondering "how just how do they do it all"..
To add they have gorgeous skin, lustrous hair and bikini bodies to die for...and I find myself wondering again.."is there something wrong with me?" All I want to do is tip toe into their life and get to know all their secrets...
If you are like me and want to know all the fitness, fashion and beauty secret...if you want a sneak peek into the lives of some fabulous people...you have come to the right place..

Today I am getting Zahra to reveal all her carefully guarded fitness secrets..
Needless to say Zahra is one of those fabulously talented ladies who juggles many roles..she writes a lovely blog lovezahra she has a day job, she is mother to an adorable 2yr old boy and she always looks stunning.
She is one of those people with a warm and infectious smile, she makes you wanna know her better....I am sure she regrets it now...thanks to a slew of my mails that have been flooding her inbox lately..

How I Stay Fit : Zahra's Workout Secrets

Image : lovezahra.com

Have you always been health and fitness conscious?

Growing up I was always active but never really made a conscious effort to be healthy - when I started working full-time and getting into a sedentary routine I gained a few pounds, thats when I began to really make time for fitness.

Once I had my baby, I gained a really strong appreciation for what my body is capable of. Not only did I want to fit in my old clothes again, but I wanted to be healthy and live a long time for my little boy.

What was your workout routine like when you were pregnant?

During pregnancy I kept exercise very simple, went for walks and practiced pre-natal yoga.

How did it change after pregnancy?

After giving birth to my son, the biggest change in my life was that all of a sudden I had no free time to work out, so I had to consciously make it a priority, rather than just work out when I was in the mood to do so. Also, I gained 50 pounds while pregnant, so for me to feel like myself again it was very important for me to get back in shape in a healthy way. 

It took an entire year for me to lose the extra pounds. I now alternate baby duties in the evenings with my husband, so that I can work out 2-3 nights a week.

How long after giving birth did you get back to working out?

 I had a c-section with some additional complications after, so I was on strict no-excercise orders from my doctor. After about 2 months I started going for walks and just made sure to be as active as possible. Sometimes I'd have fun with my baby and do dead lifts while holding him, or I'd lay on the floor and do bench presses with him as my weight bar. He loved it and would crack up laughing every time he went up.

You have a 2yr old son, a job, a blog..how do you manage it all and still make time for a workout?

Sometimes the workout has to take a back seat - to be completely honest. But I think the key is balance - if I know I'm not going to workout, I just make sure not to indulge too much that day and the next. Or I try to run around a little more with my 2 year old son, he wears me out!

So what is your fitness inspiration?

My goal isn't to reach any particular size or number on a scale, but rather to feel good mentally and physically. I always feel much more confident after I know I've worked out and put in that time just for me.

Image : lovezahra.com

 What is your fitness routine like now?  

The only excercise that I do regularly is hot yoga -  if I can't get to my yoga studio, I will go for a run. I'd say I work out 2-3 times a week for 1.5-2 hours.

The Details

The hot yoga classes I go are full body workouts and very challenging. 

When I run, it is usually on the treadmill - about 3 miles. 

I do plan to do a few 5-10K races this year, and that is a huge motivator for me to continue to train.

What is a day in Zahra's plate like?

My typical day M-F consists of

Breakfast: a protein shake and a cup of coffee or tea without sugar, 

Lunch: soup/salad or a turkey sandwich.

Dinner:salad with some protein like chicken or fish.

Snacks: I don't really snack very often - but if I do its probably some trail mix or fruit.

Weekends: I pretty much eat whatever I want.

Things you make sure you eat.

My protein shake is: Greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, banana, protein powder, and ice. My husband is a health nut and got me hooked on these.

Your indulgences.. 

I have too many to list - but if I am going to name just a few,  I'd say I'm obsessed with fresh guacamole and chips, wood fired pizza- my favorite is margherita- just tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese, and I have recently become obsessed with Macaroons for dessert!

How often do you indulge in these?

 I never deny myself of anything - just ask my husband! If I have a pizza lunch, I'll make sure to have a salad for dinner. If I really go overboard, like if I go to an amazing italian restaurant and have a pasta and dessert - I will be extra good the next day and have a protein shake for breakfast, and salad with chicken for lunch and fish and veggies for dinner.

Get skinny tip

One tip I have for losing weight or just maintaining your weight is to stop eating out as much. If I want to drop 2-5 pounds quickly, I will just cut out any food that is processed or from an outside restaurant.

Healthy Raw Mango Ice-Cream Recipe

What's summer without ice cream and mangoes??
Anyone who knows me knows I love my mangoes and who doesn't love ice-cream?
Unfortunately gone are those days when I could indulge in the creamy sugary delight without giving it a second thought. I now find it tough to put something in my mouth without reading the ingredient list, the nutritional info and the calorie content..and after that exercise it just gets tougher.

So give up on ice-cream? Noooo no noooo.
Just modify it to make it not just healthy but also fresh, organic and even raw..
Yes you got it right, Healthy Organic Fresh and Raw Ice-Cream..

Here is what I did:
Ingredients
1. Coconut Milk: 2 cups (I grated coconut minced fine with 1.5 cups of water)
2. Cashew Milk: 0.5 cup (1 tbsp cashews soaked in .5 cup water and minced in the food processor)
3. Date paste: 0.5 cup (5-6 dates soaked and minced with water in food processor)
4. Mango Pulp: 1-1.5 cup fresh mango paste
5. Lime Juice: 1 small lime
6. Basil leaves: 4-5 chopped
7. Raw Agave Nectar: 1 tbsp or as per taste

Method:
1. If you do not want the graininess strain the coconut milk, I left it as is...I like the good stuff.
2. Mix everything together.
3. Pour into ice-cream churner.
4. Give your arms a workout...churn churn churn
5. Yummy goodness ready to eat..

I topped my ice-cream with some fresh chopped mangoes and a drizzle of honey.
So that's my healthy, organic,  fresh and raw ice cream.



So are you going to give HEALTHY RAW MANGO ICE-CREAM a try this summer?

Raw Chia Seed Dessert: Dessert everyday!!

Raw chia seed (sabja seed) dessert..
You know what I miss most about being a kid...its all the reckless eating I indulged in.
French fries, samosas, vada pav's, maggi, pastries, ice creams and desserts. Calories, diet, weight, cellulite, figure...these were all unfamiliar words for me..they did not exist in my vocabulary.

Sigh...gone are those days, my days now involve calorie counting, calorie burning, researching the latest diets and resisting the delicious world of desserts...
But would you believe it, if I said I have been eating DESSERT EVERYDAY!!
Yup healthy and delicious dessert everyday..
My favorite dessert as a kid was "fruit cream" and imagine my delight when I discovered this awesome healthy cheat to cream pudding..
It is not just healthy and delicious it is also RAW!! can it get better...just try eating it..I know you will love it.
So here is my raw dessert recipe with chia seeds.
Ingredients:
1. Almond milk
2. Agave syrup
3. Chia seeds
4. Water
5. Mangoes
6. Strawberries
7. Grapes
8. Mulberries...any fruits of your choice
9. Dates chopped
Method:
1. Soak chia seeds in water for 5 mins. They will swell up and will give jelly like mouth feel.
2. Mix chia seeds, fruits and almond milk together.
3. A teaspoon of agave syrup.
4. Enjoy your raw chia seed dessert!!

Here are some of the health benefits of chia seeds:
1. Add healthy omega-3 oil to your diet. Chia seed is the richest plant source of omega 3.
2. Chia seed is known to keep a healthy balance of blood sugar in the body.
3. Chia seed when soaked in water and eaten has a filling effect due to the water absorbed. It keeps
    you from getting hungry often and hence helps in weight loss.
4. They have age defying anti-oxidants. Chia seeds fight free radical damage.
5. By weight, chia has more calcium than whole milk. It also has magnesium and boron, essential   trace minerals used in the absorption of calcium and other vitamins.

Also make sure you watch this MUST WATCH Dr. OZ VIDEO on the benefits of chia seeds..
Chia seed might just change your life!!

      

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My Top 5 Tricks To End An Eating Binge

This entire weekend has been one of complete and total indulgence and eating for me..so this post could not be better timed..
I am usually careful about what I eat but I have my days of uncontrolled eating..these are days when after a nice big lunch I feel a nice big dessert is justified and after that the tongue asks for something salty and then something sweet and then...the vicious cycle just continues..
What do I do then??
Well here are my top 5 tips on ending a binge cycle...these always work for me..

As for healthy things to sip on...these are my top picks..

1. Water
2. Coconut water
3. Goodness of herbs Recipe: http://skinnyindianchef.blogspot.in/2013/02/mint-and-tulsi-tea.html

   4. Antioxidant hibiscus drink Recipe: http://skinnyindianchef.blogspot.in/2013/01/i-am-teenie-weenie-bit-vain-so-when.html

              What are your tricks?? How do you stop an eating binge?? Leave your comments and let me know
                  Also dont forget to enter the bucket of love giveaway...it ends soon..

Also thank you so much for all your comments on the last post...I will surely do a tutorial on pleating that sari lehnga soon....Lots of love always.

Eating Healthy Being Healthy: Portion Control

Day 1 of the challenge was great, I worked out and I ate healthy, fresh and beautiful food. I felt good all day, only thing I occasionally missed was sugar, but I found substitutes and moved on  (nuts and a few drinks with organic honey(chk back later for recepies)).
Yesterday I shared my favourite 10 mins workouts with you and today is going to be about eating healthy.
Looking, feeling good, fab, healthy and fit, is not rocket science, I have struggled with weight almost all my life until I had my light bulb moment and realised that the answer is

" finding a balance between what you burn by working out and what you earn through the food you eat"
burn less earn more = bulging belly.
burn more earn less = washboard abs.

So how can we ensure we earn/ eat fewer calories?? PORTION CONTROL
 How many times have we felt "I just eat 3 meals a day and still put on weight" why?? because the 3 BIG meals pack in equivalent calories of 6 meals.

A LESSON IN PORTION CONTROL

                                     

Yup that is all you need.. to have a healthy nutritious and wholesome meal.
Also, I am sure you have heard of The celeb endorsed, Jenny Craig Diet, a recent survey claims that it is the best diet as far as being nutritional balance, results and adaptability go. The diet basically controls portion sizes, take a look

Yup that is a healthy meal plan and all the calories we need in a day!!

                    
                     Please do let me know what you think about our fitness challenge? Would you join in?
                           Also what are your fitness tricks and tips? Do leave your comments below.
                                 Do join us on Facebook    http://www.facebook.com/lookingood.feelingfab.9 
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                                                        THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

Fit and Healthy Week Challenge

So sometime back yummymummy commented that although the blog has a generous dose of fashion and fun, the fitness aspect has been missing in action. I sincerely apologise for this step-motherly treatment, however I do believe that health and fitness play a key role in looking good and feeling fab. So to make up..this ENTIRE WEEK is going to be all about fitness and health..and..what perfect timing too. The last one week has been a week of complete and total indulgence (read 0 workout and pigging out on sweets and fried food)  I am in desperate need of some tender loving care and holistic eating..

This entire week, I am challenging myself to this..

Would you care to join me?? Take the challenge with me..I need all the support I can get to get through the week and start my journey towards a healthy life :)
To add to the healthy eating..there is also going to be exercising..yeah I know what you are thinking.."as if the green juices don't look tempting enough..now there is sweating involved too." I also know that none of us have the time to squeeze in a workout...there are more pressing issues to be taken care of..blogs to read (hint hint!!), movies to watch and socialising and networking to do (read gossiping sessions to contribute to).

But come on we can all spare 10 mins cant we?? summer is just a few weeks away..n we all want to be looking good and feeling fab..
These are 2 of my favourite 10 min workouts..try them, you will feel soreness in places you did not know existed and trust me soon you will be doing 20 and 30 mins..yay!!

                       
    
                       
   
                     Please do let me know what you think about our fitness challenge? Would you join in?
                           Also what are your fitness tricks and tips? Do leave your comments below.
                                 Do join us on Facebook    http://www.facebook.com/lookingood.feelingfab.9 
                                       Twitter  https://twitter.com/lookingoodfeel       @lookingoodfeel
                                                        THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

Fitness Inspiration and Jillian Michales

I am in need of some inspiration...as the temperatures outside are dipping, the warmth and comfort of my bed are increasing...I am finding it harder to step off my bed, into my sneakers and on to the gym..
This always works for me...

If she can do it.....I better not have any excuses ..

While we are on the topic of fitness, let me share my story with you...I have always struggled with my weight but I felt it more so after the birth of my daughter 2 yrs ago.
I promptly joined the gym but juggling work, a baby, home and gym became a little too much to handle, gym obviously took last priority and I barely ever managed to get there ;)
So I needed something else and fast...I decided to invest in a home workout DVD...yeah yeah I know those DVD's are for beginners the serious ones go to the gym.
Thats what I thought too..but I had no choice..
I got the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 (from amazon) and was I in for a shock or what..she kicked my ass and kicked it into shape I must add..
It is a 20-30 min workout, it is intense and if done religiously for the 30 days...it works..
I not only lost the pregnancy weight, I lost more...I lost inches and I felt toned...something I had never felt before...
If you can relate to my story....order you DVD (here or here) now. Amazon ships to India but the shipping cost can sometimes be more than the DVD itself...however the increasing gym membership costs and decreasing time availability make it a sound investment :)
Now also available on flipkart.com ( Thanks beingFab for the update..)

    This is all you need.....so no excuses now :)
    Have you tried any workout DVD's?....leave your comments and share your story :)

Age Defying Beauties: Malaika Arora Khan

Pics Courtsey: Malaika Arora Khan Vogue India Jan 2010

It is an apt time for me to write this post..Ill tell you why..
When I was younger I dreaded the thought of having children...why you ask..
Because I saw gorgeous women getting married, putting on a few pounds....then they had a baby put on a few more pounds..another baby, a few more pounds and a change of priorities later..they had turned into people I could barely recoginse.
So I started believing that "losing your hotness quotient" was an inevitable part of living the conventional life..

Then Malaika Arora got married...she looked hot..and she remained hot..
She got pregnant and I braced myself for the inevitable to happen while she embraced and flaunted her new-found curves with immense style..she was still hot hot hot..
She had her baby and within a month she was back on television...looking...yes you said it....Hot as ever.

This made me question all the beliefs and images imprinted in my mind....yipeeee they were all myths..
She made me believe that you can look good and feel fab at every stage in life...you just have to make that choice..
That day I decided to choose to look good and feel fab always....I just had my second baby and am still feeling fab....so thank you Malaika  for proving that it can be done, for providing the inspiration and motivation :)

Here are some of her Age Defying Beauty, Diet and Exercise secrets..(Psssst...she is almost 40)
In case the text is illegible please let me know...will post better pics :)

Pics Courtsey: Malaika Arora Khan Vogue India Jan 2010

Pics Courtsey: Malaika Arora Khan Vogue India Jan 2010

Pics Courtsey: Malaika Arora Khan Vogue India Jan 2010

Fabulous At Every Age: Sabina Chopra

At age 50+ Sabina Chopra can give any of the younger fashionistas a serious run for their money. Not only is she always elegantly turned out, she always adds a dash quirkiness and individuality to her looks. She always, totally owns her looks and that too with great oomph and style..

Image: Sabina Chopra

Image: Sabina Chopra Hello India

She makes looking gorgeous seem effortlessly easy but don't be fooled...it requires a lot of hard work...here is the lowdown...

Image: Sabina Chopra Vogue Jan 2010

Monday Motivation: Losing the baby weight

 I dont know how these ladies do it all and that too in record time.... from 4a.m. workouts to disciplined diets they do whatever it takes. Truly inspiring!

image: ok! July 21, 2008

image: ok! July 21,2008