Be Inspired Monday: The Model...

Looking up to a model for inspiration can sound superficial, but we have to remember that models are human beings. Some are good, some are bad and some are ugly.

I've watched many documentaries about how magazines brush up models to make them look perfect, skinny and flawless, while in real life some look horrible without make up. What makes them stand out is their heights. Today I want to talk about how Gisele Bundchen inspires me.

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First thing to point out is that Gisele doesn't inspire me physically because I was not created like her and I never want to be like her. She inspires me when it comes to healthy living.

In an interview the journalist asked her "Do you or have you ever worried about your weight?"

She answered "Not about my weight, no. But my health is very important to me, and I try to eat well and exercise because I know that has an impact on my body and health." I don't think is a crime to care about your health. We shouldn't worry too much about the weight but about how we feel in our bodies. Gisele points out that she takes care of her well being. Some models, to play the perfect model image, would simply say they eat everything and they are still perfectly thin.

She also said that when she was younger she used to eat a lot of fast food and meat. But now that she is older she likes foods that give her energy. A person could never be healthy if all she cares about is to eat fast food and packets of crisp.

When it comes to how she kept fit through her pregnancy she said "I did kung fu until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week... I was mindful about what I ate,..." She gave birth naturally and she is proud of that because natural birth is empowering. I believe in that philosophy too. She was a great advocate for breastfeeding and she managed to get back into shape thanks to her mindful active pregnancy "I think is muscle memory," and yoga in her living room. When Claudia Schiffer was asked the same question she answered "I lost the baby weight by breastfeeding." Really ladies, do you believe the sole action of breastfeeding your baby can help you shed the whole baby weight? I don't think so. I am mindful about what I eat and I try to keep fit because I would like a natural birth.

I remember reading an interview of Gisele Bundchen in the early 2000, in this interview she said that in ten years from then she saw herself married with a family. The girl had a wish and she worked towards. Now she is a mother who is passionate about breastfeeding. She doesn't try to be a super woman infact she confessed that she is still trying to find "... the balance between being a mum, a wife, [an eco-activist] and businesswoman.

In everything we do there is a need of balance. Our health and dreams are closely related to how we can find a rhythm that works for each one of us. We should not be scared to let people know that sometimes is difficult to achieve the balance but we should not forget to enjoy each minute of our lives. Trust our intuition, because the more we believe in ourselves the more this will empower us. Each minute spent to achieve our dreams will built up that dream.

Her words inspire me to live the best time of my life as I approach the older age signed by 30s.

We can start by designing a goal we want to reach by the end of each week. My aim for this week is to write about 3000 words for my story, because every little count.

What is your goal for this week. Please share with us.

I hope this post will inspire you reach it. Love yourself, love your intuition and be empowered.

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Fitness, Food & Fun Friday: Strong Bones in Your 30s...

I was reading articles on Livestrong.com, this is Lance Armstrong's website, which has amazing information on everything health related.  I mean he is doing a wonderful job with it!  I came across a website about taking care of your bones in your thirties! I thought you might enjoy this and find it helpful.

1. Value Your Health

While it's great to think about preserving your body's health into old age, your thirties are also a time to enjoy your current level of health. By valuing what you have now--strong bones, a high retention of nutrients and the resultant high energy level--you can help prevent osteoporosis and other conditions related to aging. Most people know that calcium is vital to maintaining bone strength and strive to get plenty of calcium in their diets. However, ingesting substances or engaging in behavior that blocks the absorption of calcium and other nutrients can be just as detrimental to your bones as not getting enough calcium in the first place. Excessive dieting and eating disorders have been found to deplete calcium reserves in the body. Treat anorexia or bulimia and diet to lose weight only for short periods of a couple weeks at a time.

2. Treat Yourself With Coffee, Chocolate or Wine

Instead of focusing on cutting things out of your diet, change your attitude about what you include. Caffeine, alcohol and high-phosphorus items, such as red meats and fizzy drinks, should be consumed in limited quantities. Use coffee, chocolate, wine or other risky foods or beverages as special pleasures for when you celebrate. Having one or two cups of coffee or an alcoholic or carbonated drink or two will become treats to be savored rather than forbidden favorites.

3. Work Out Regularly

Lots of people exercise to prevent heart disease or to keep their weight down, but regular exercise also contributes to healthy bones. A hallmark of osteoporosis is the fracture of a wrist, hip or backbone. These are just as important to avoid as heart attacks or obesity. Experts recommend three to four sessions of weight-bearing exercise for about 45 minutes each. This can include jogging, tennis, hiking or stair climbing. In addition, strength training, such as lifting weights or using resistance banding, a couple times a week is also beneficial. A comprehensive exercise program reduces stress, maintains energy levels and keeps bones fit.

These are some great suggestions. They are not restrictive which i think is fantastic.  It's always helpful to have some fun with food while taking care of your fitness!

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/7961-maintain-strong-bones-thirties/#ixzz1RNGGvvhz

Be Inspired Monday: America's Glorious Fourth

Everyone wants to experience America for one reason or the other.

In the course of history, America has given ground on which people who escape brutal wars and life threatening situations can stand up and build up a better future. For many people America is the land in which every ethinicity can express their individuality. A land in which all dreams can come true.

New York is one big example of diverse culture and the saying such as if you can make it here you can make it anywhere rings true for many people!

America has always been the land of history in the making. In 2008, this land changed the face of its own history forever (with the election of President Obama).  From that moment onward people started to believe in their own dreams, to believe in the possibility that incredible changes can happen to their lives if they work hard and believe enough. But the history of 2008 was the thread of a long march of history and it is still ongoing.

But as in everthing, America is not always perfect, because even in todays new face of history, sometimes the American Dream is cut short for a group of people due to their beliefs, race or sexual orientation.

We are not American but there are many American people who inspire us to work for a better future for myself, my family and the world. A future of equality, freedom and justice.
We chose 'A More Perfect Union' speech by President Barack Obama because nobody can succeed alone in life's endevours. It is through collaboration that everyone can achieve a better future. Discriminattion breaks the chance for a person to prospere in all areas of life. A perfect union allows one another to enrich their life heritage.

3.17minutes into the speech
"We cannot solve the challenges of our time
unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding
that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for our children and grandchildren."

President Barack Obama, 2008

We hope that as the day of independence proceeds on, we can remember that independence should be allowed to all people. We have to stand and celebrate but also remember that we still have a long march if we want to achieve a "more just, more equal, more free and more caring" world.

Moving moving moving...at home!

In thinking about MsBP recent move to Canada, which I am stocked up because that's my home! And this weekend being 4th of July, i thought i would speak about where we all call home even when we've moved many many times in the past.

Does a home mean you are home.  Or does family mean you are home? 

I have never liked change but since college I have moved houses, apartments, cities and now countries way too many times to count. Of all the moves, the most important thing I have learned about myself is "home is truly where your heart is!" 

Most of the time it is not about the physical space but who is around you as you are moving.  It can be a friend, a family member and in the case of MsBP, her hubby! Moving to the US was definitely made easier because I had my now husband and best friend here.  Home is definitely where you live with your loved ones .

As we celebrate those that helped shape the US homeland and gave us our freedoms, let us remember that our home is where our loved ones are.

Happy July 4th and Canada's Day!

Do you guys agree that home is where your loved ones are? 

                                                             



Wednesday Fashion Item: When Are You Too Old To Wear Mini Skirt?

I just want to be myself with the confidence of who inspires me.

As I approach my 30s sometimes I still find myself feeling insecure about how I look in certain clothes. This is especially the case when it comes to miniskirts. I find myself looking at single girls in their late teens and early 20s rocking the next to nothing miniskirt.

I have always been careful at covering my legs. Well, I remember wearing long dresses with side slits. But there was a woman at the church I went to who was against such clothing. One day she covered my legs with her coat. Oh, I didn't like her at all. When I told my mother she commented "Next time tell her to cover up her own daughter."

But years later, after I got married, one of my brothers pointed out: "That girl reminds me of you."
"Who?" The girl he was talking about was not as fashionable as I am, but he explained "You are always covering yourself up. Wearing long skirts, and trousers. Why don't you wear some nice skirts."
That was harsh coming from him. I loved my jeans, trousers and long skirts.

After I got married I thought people will look at me strange if I go about in mini skirts. Obviously I didn't tell my brother that. However after those comments, I bought some skirts but nothing over my knees. Then one day a male work colleague who talks, a little too much, told me "You look better in skirt and not trourses." Wasn't sure how to take that, but i took it.

I know this for sure, my butt tends to look too big in certain trousers but they are so comfortable. I know that in my early twenties I dressed like an old lady (I hang my head in shame). What I thought was vintage style was really bad taste fashion girl. I guess I was following the wrong fashion bible!

I was so happy to see Gwyneth Paltrow, once a shy young woman, on a premier red carpert in this killer mini dress. I must confess the first thought that popped into my head was "What is she going to do if she needs to pick up something from the floor?" But duh, she is a celebrity for some reason, innit!

Seeing Gwyneth in her mini, now thirtysomething married woman...opened my eyes. She inspired me to work on toning my legs. Then Mel B inspired me to work on toning my tummy. I then went to buy few new items. But this time I bought dresses over my knees and skirt sitting on my mid-thighs.

I like the way I look in them and I am not scared to show a little bit of flesh. However, I still question when will I be too old to wear mini skirt?

Ladies, c'mon confess, have you had any moments when you said, "I am not too old to wear that mini skirt?"