Black & Red today...

So this is what I was wearing today... very fashion for work? Some people told me that, but well, I don't mind, haha!

T-shirt and black pants - Zara
Socks - TopShop
Shoes - Mustang
Red Necklace - Claire's

The place where I've done the photos is a backyard from the office where I work; is a beautiful place and where you can have relax five minutes a day.

And by the way, today I've receive a present! Rita, a charming Moroccan woman who sometimes comes to the office, give me this:


Yes, it's a lovely pair of vintage earrings; they seem to be very old and they match perfectly with my outfit from today, that's why she gave it to me... thank you, Rita!

That's all for the momment; this weekend i hope I'll go out with my friends... tomorrow, Friday (at last...!).

Have a nice evening!

Simple Sugars and More Crock Pot Love...

Blog topic request: simple sugars.

My friend -- we'll call her Jenny -- is pregnant! Jenny went for her oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in her second trimester, per protocol, to check for gestational diabetes (GDM). Gestational diabetes shows up in approximately 4-5% of pregnancies and is marked by elevated blood glucose due to elevated hormone levels, affecting insulin secretion. Insulin is the hormone responsible for decreasing blood glucose (sugar) in the blood. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when the body cannot make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels within safe ranges for both mother and baby.

While Jenny was not diagnosed with GDM, she was told to stay away from "simple sugars" after a slightly elevated 2-hour blood glucose reading during her OGTT. So, she wants to know what carbs to include and which to exclude.

As far as "simple carbohydrates" things that come to mind include: soda, juice, sugar, syrup, candy, honey, chocolate, desserts, white flour, etc.

"Complex carbohydrate" are the "good carbs," meaning they do not as readily (and quickly) increase blood glucose in the body. When fiber is included in a food we can consider it more complex as fiber causes a "slow release" of sugar. Often, fiber-containing carbohydrates are given a "net carb" count, meaning the grams of fiber are subtracted from the total grams of carbohydrates giving the "net carbs," and thus "lowering" the actual effect of carbohydrate on blood glucose.

So, complex carbohydrates would include: whole grain cereal, pasta, and rice, oats, beans, legumes, and fruits and vegetables. So basically, anything that's not a sugar or refined : )

Because I'm a huge supporter of a diabetic meal patterns (consistent carbohydrates), I recommend to insulin resistant individuals a slightly modified diabetic meal pattern of approximately 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal with a night time snack consisting of both carbohydrates and protein (approx. 15-30 grams of carbohydrates). Adding in morning and afternoon snacks containing approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates is optimal, as well.

For our purposes, forget about "net carbs" and focus on labels and "total carbohydrates" -- grams. By controlling the amount of glucose we're putting into our bodies, we can control (the best and only way that we can) the amount of sugar going into our blood. Hence, any individual with insulin resistance, I recommend following this regimen (or a modification of this regimen).

Carbohydrates are essential and thus, the backbone of any diet. Even a diabetic diet contains mostly carbohydrates. And really, a diabetic meal pattern is simply another means of explaining a HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET! Ideally, all of our meals are comprised of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. In the case of carbohydrate control, the aim is to meet, but not exceed, the recommended carbohydrate intake and use protein and fat accordingly.

What might 60 grams of carbohydrates LOOK like? Good question!

Breakfast:
2 slices of whole wheat toast
with Smart Balance or peanut butter
1 small banana
1 egg or Egg Beaters
coffee with creamer

AM snack:
apple and 1 oz. low-fat cheese

Lunch:
2 oz. turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat
1 Tbsp light mayonnaise
1 serving of baked chips
1 oz. of almonds
string cheese

PM snack:
low-fat yogurt with 1/4 c. granola

Dinner:
1 c. whole wheat pasta
1/2 c. marinara
3-4 1 ounce meatballs
salad with light dressing

Snack:
6-8 crackers with cheese or peanut butter

"Jenny" -- I hope this helps! I'm here to help...just ask : )

And in my crock pot last night was a winner, and rich in complex carbohydrates! Can't-Hardly-Cook Chicken Parmesan! Before work, I threw in 5 chicken breasts which I had rolled in Egg Beaters and then in a mix of bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (lightly brush with olive oil the bottom of your crock pot first). I then layered 2-3 slices of light mozzarella over the top, and dumped on 2 jars of Classico marinara. Cooked on low all day and added it atop a portion of whole wheat linguine. It was divine! The chicken fell apart it was so moist...delicious!

I've got tonight's dinner cookin' up now -- chicken tortilla soup! Yum! Recipe review (and pictures) later!

suka suki, and babe. sila bace.

yeayyy. akhirnya salah 1 pujaan hatiku ni da dpt~! yesss. beli sendiri la. buekkk =P

tgh dgr berulang juta kali nih. ahah. best best best. as for today...

dpt jgk lg 2 pujaan hatiku - blue swirl ipanema flip flop & black blink2 everlast shirt.

do i need to mention that? owh yes. bukan slalu. skee hatiii. btoll la.

nak buat hati sdiri je happy skrng. kalo bkn sdiri, sape lg nak happykan hati ni.

btw. puasss hati. ahah... and owh, 4th of sept sudah kan.

pujaan hati no... tah. =P

happy birthday faris syg busuk masam my cousin~!

ahah... syg kamu ketat - ketat~! da mcm abg org da.

lame x jmpe kamuuu! dang~ rindu awk!

happy birthday 2 adie + pak ngah as well.

may allah blessed all of u.

BIASAAAA.

typical final destination.

cam final destination lain. ahah~

and yar, obviously it's toturing my mind.

and babe. to u. kenapakah send sms x delivered? erm...

seriously i miss u all these days so much.

and, u're leaving 2morrow? dang~ not that fast, plz ={

babe. too much to say. but. most important of all.

i miss u so much. and plz trust me when i said,

"i'm with u all the way."

i'm sorry that i can't met u 4 the last time.

i'm sorry that i can't always b there 4 u.

i'm sorry that if i ever hurt u.

i'm sorry 4 every simplest thing that might hurt u.

i love u.

belajar leklok kelak. and and. kuatkan semangat.

teruskan hidup... utk diri u sendiri. *wink wink*

Leg of Lamb Steak on Potato and Onion Swirl with Garlic and Mint Soured Cream

This is a recipe which can be a little bit awkward in the preparation. It is very important therefore for me to point out from the outset that not too much should be made of attempting to arrange the raw potato and onion slices in a swirl on the baking tray in the first instance. When they are cooked and are softer and more malleable, it will be very simple to arrange them effectively on the plate in the desired fashion.

It is of course not entirely necessary to arrange them as shown on the baking tray and they can equally well be laid out flat and separately, turned once half-way through cooking. I believe, however, that arranging them as shown in the first instance allows the flavour of the onions to permeate in to the potatoes and makes for a much tastier final result.

Ingredients

1 leg of lamb steak or fillet
1 medium sized potato (unpeeled, sliced to one-eighth inch thick)
1 small onion (peeled, sliced to one-eight inch thick)
1 tbsp low fat soured cream
6 fresh mint leaves (finely chopped)
1 clove of garlic (crushed)
Sunflower oil
Salt
Small knob of butter

Method

The first step is to prepare the soured cream garnish. This is simply a matter of combining the soured cream, mint and garlic in a small bowl, stirring well and covering with clingfilm, before refrigerating it until required.

Put the oven on to pre-heat to 400F/200C/Gas Mark 6. Add about a tablespoon of sunflower oil to a large bowl and season it well with salt. Place six potato slices in to the bowl and stir them around carefully but well to ensure even coating in the oil and salt.

Lightly grease a baking sheet with a little bit of butter and arrange the potato slices and six onion slices as shown. Remember not to be too particular as they can and will be tidied up at the time of service. Place the baking tray in to the oven for twenty-five minutes.

The leg of lamb steak will take about six minutes to cook on each side, if of the thickness (about half an inch) of the one shown. When the potato and onion swirl has been in the oven for about ten minutes, therefore, heat a little sunflower oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the steak gently, turning half way through the cooking time. This will have it ready a few minutes before the potatoes and allow it to be pushed to the side to rest.

Cook the frozen peas as described on the packet. This usually entails putting them in to boiling water for two to three minutes. Drain them well when done.

Take the potato and onion swirl from the oven and carefully transfer it to a plate with a large spatula. Tidy up the construction as required. Sit the lamb steak on top, spoon the peas around it and top off with the soured cream.

Fiber up! ...and taste test #2

Out with cardboard, in with flavor!

Many years ago when I was first getting serious about nutrition, there was a handful of flavor-less "cardboard" cereals on the market that provided plentiful amounts of dietary fiber. Today, the choices of high-fiber cereals are plentiful...thank goodness. USA Today reviewed some of the high-fiber cereals scoring "very good" on taste tests. So before you go grabbing just anything off the shelf, strongly consider looking into these [1]:

- Kashi GoLean Crunchy Fiber Twigs
-Soy Protein Grahams and Honey Puffs
- Archer Farms Cereal High Fiber (Target)
- Kellogg's Raisin Bran Extra!
- Post Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Wheat 'n Bran
- Great Value Raisin Bran (Walmart)
- Barbara's Bakery Ultima Organic

Of the 18 cereals included in the taste testing, these 7 stood out among tasters. The higher fiber cereals help control weight by increasing satiety, and also work to lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Each of the cereals included in the taste testing contained 7-12 grams of fiber and 140-210 calories per serving [1]. Americans should aim to consume 20-35 grams of fiber according to the American Dietetic Association. Most Americans consume a meager 14-15 grams daily. Lots of work to do! Increase your fiber intake by switching to whole grains such as rice, pasta, and breads. Also, increase your fruit and vegetable consumption to add more fiber each day!

What's YOUR favorite high-fiber cereal? Clue: If your favorite cereal has a mascot (i.e. Tony the Tiger)...find a new favorite to get in more fiber!

And speaking of taste tests -- this week's taste test at my work went REALLY well! The staff L-O-V-E-D the recipe! My inbox was flooded with email praises after trying the chicken tamale casserole! The recipe is so incredibly easy and a complete crowd-pleaser. Even those who don't know they love tamales...love this dish. I went to take a picture of the casserole, and I found this:

...I think they liked it. Just a bit ;)

Chicken Tamale Casserole

1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded, 2% 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Martha White)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
Cooking spray
1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 7 ingredients (through chilies) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.

Yield: 8 servings
*CALORIES 354; FAT 14.1g (sat 7.1g,mono 3.3g,poly 1.2g); IRON 1.7mg; CHOLESTEROL 58mg; CALCIUM 179mg; CARBOHYDRATE 36.3g; SODIUM 620mg; PROTEIN 18.9g; FIBER 2.5g

*Nutrition facts not verified.

[1]. Hellmich, Nanci. Survey: Fiber-rich Cereals Finally Meet Taste Test. USA Today. September 1, 2009

Food Tip of the Day - Thursday, September 3rd, 2009: How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

There is no doubt that grocery bills are a big part of everyone's weekly or monthly expenditure and that ways to save money on them are always welcome news for anyone. The fortunate reality of this concept is that there are a great many ways to save money at the grocery store or supermarket if one simply employs a little thought and creativity in the process.

The article linked to below gives some hints and tips for anyone looking to save money at the grocery store and hopefully will get your creative thought processes moving in the right direction.

How to save at the grocery store

Quick post: Josh Beech x Pull&Bear

You all know that I'm a very VERY big fan of Josh Beech. I love his style, his band (called Snish, they sound great), his tattoos... well, I love him, hahaha!

So I'm really glad I could see him in the new Pull&Bear campaing for their new shop at Oxford Street; a new reason for coming back to London very soon! You can see Luke Worral and Karen Overton at the campaing... here you've got some pictures taken from Pull&Bear's blog:

Aaaaaw Josh!
I really like this picture!
And I really love this sneakers... I NEED THEM!

He's at the new Valentino's campaing too, by the way...

And as you can see, I've change the background of the blog; I was bored of that Alice's look... but I don't know if I will leave this one...

One thing more, thanks to Letmefeelilkeadoll I've got now a Trendtation account... I like it more than Chictopia... and I'm thinking of making a Lookbook account, anyone has got an invitation?

Well, have a nice evening... I'm making fotos of what I'm wearing and I'll post them later, I like the way I look today!