Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe

As I promised here is the cabbage soup diet recipe. You can find the recipe anywhere on the internet but I do substitute different things for my own taste buds and comfort! Some of the cabbage soup recipes online are really bland so feel free to play around with it and tailor it to your liking. But remember to stay away from anything high in calories or in fat as you don’t want to jeopordize your diet with a poor choice of ingredient.

What you need:

•  Large green onions (also called “spring” onions) I substitute garlic for onions, as I don’t like onions
• 2 green peppers (or red, your choice)
• 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
• 3 carrots
• 1 container (10 oz. or so) mushrooms (optional)
• 1 bunch of celery
• Half a head of cabbage
• 1 package spice only soup mix (In the US, Liptons is a good choice) this is also optional although it does give your soup a better taste and it can be healthy if you find one low in sodium and low in calories
• 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
• 1 48oz can Low Sodium V8 juice (optional) I use 12 cups of water instead as I don’t like V8 juice
• Season to taste with pepper, parsley, curry, garlic, etc. (Little to NO SALT!)

Directions:

Slice green onions or garlic (as much as you feel necessary), put in a pot on medium heat and start to sauté with cooking spray, I use pam (extra virgin olive oil). Do this until the onions are whiter/clearer in color (about 4-6 minutes) and if your choosing garlic wait until they start to sizzle and turn darker.

Cut green pepper stem end off, then cut pepper in half to take out the seeds and membrane. Cut the green pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot or red pepper your choice.

Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, mushrooms, and celery, cut into bite size pieces and toss them in. Add tomatoes now, too.

If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

For seasonings, you can use a spice soup packet of your choice (no noodles!).  You can add any spices you like instead (make sure not to add much salt, if any at all).

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the 48 oz of Low Sodium V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup simmer for a long time – about 2 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Enjoy!

My next post will be on how the diet works and it’s seven day plan to loosing weight!

Diana ‘s Health & Fitness Tips

Here are some of the things I do to keep my body in shape. Lately I haven’t been following all these tricks but I am going to get back into the swing of it. I noticed that the more I eat crappy food the worse I feel. I tend to be low on energy and lazy. So really these tips I’m providing is something that I have done and for me it works and helps me live an energetic lifestyle. With a kinesiology background I believe I know what I am talking about;)

1. Burn more calories than you eat

This is something I recommend if you are trying to loose weight. If you are just trying to maintain your weight than I would burn about half of what you eat or less. You will notice that every time you eat that crappy food, its a pain in the butt to go work it off. So think before you eat that pizza!

2. Run Run RUN!!!!

Honestly, this is one of the best things you can do to burn fat and stay in shape. Running helps your overall body look fabulous, it gives you a wide-rang workout. So whether its running outside, or on the treadmill and elliptical …DO IT. I typically would run for about 6o minutes a day at least 5 days a week. That is hard to do…so try running for at least 40 minutes a day. Or break it up..do 30 min in the morning and 30 min at night.

3. Cardiovascular exercise

This goes in hand with running. Dieting often decreases metabolism, so the trick is to counteract that decrease by exercising and raising your metabolism.

4. Eat in moderation

Thats right….don’t eat like the world is about to end and you have to consume everything in sight. Eat slowly and small portions and you will notice how full you can actually get. Eat enough so you are content but don’t stuff yourself and get full to the point where you want to go to bed!

5. Stay away from fried food and junk food

Seriously, it makes you fat instantly. The second I eat fried calamari or anything fried for that matter, my stomach suddenly makes me look 5 months pregnant. A quick way to look and feel better, is to cut out the really crappy food. Don’t eat those chocolate bars, chips or any of that!! Not worth it! You feel gross after…yuck!

6. Eat Green..don’t miss out on Veggies

If it’s green….eat it. You can eat as much of it as you want, it’s super good for you. I usually stick to tons of spinach and broccoli. I also love carrots, if you are super hungry and are in the midst of making something, carrots are amazing to snack on.

7. Eat high fibre food

High fibre food keeps you full for a longer period of time. I get my fibre from oats, grains, oatmeal, apples….all sorts of things.

8. Bulk up on protein

I am a vegetarian so I don’t bulk up on meat. BUT I do eat lots of beans…lentils..love lentil soup so good and filling. I also incorporate tuna a lot into my eating ritual. Almonds are really great too. If you eat meat….don’t eat any meat when your out..lots of fat and grossness..yuck, cook it at home and stick to a lean chicken breast.

9. Stay away from cheese

You heard me. I know its so delicious but don’t eat it. It’s so high in calories and the smallest bite becomes addictive and it goes straight to your hips and bum.

10. Eat a minimum of carbs

I am not a carb hater. BUT if you are going to eat bread at least eat whole wheat or multigrain. And don’t eat carbs more than twice a day. SO if you have bread for breakfast or lunch..don’t eat pasta for dinner! Try to avoid carbs…there are lots of other tasty things you can eat. When I think of bread I think of cardboard. Its boring…and doesnt look that yummy.

Hope that helps, if you have any questions feel free to email me at diana_bozinovic@hotmail.com

I will be posting more on diet/health and fitness…stay tuned:)

Favourite Beauty Products

1. Essie Nail Polish: Ballet Slippers and Fiji

These two colours are great colours for any season. They are both classy and clean in pale pink tones. Fiji is more matte, it almost looks white…super cute on anyone.

2.Opi Nail Polish: Lincoln Park After Dark

Love this colour in fall and winter. Very edgy yet chic at the same time. Looks sexy on every girl!

3. Oscar Blandi: Volumizing Dry Shampoo

This spray is a lifesaver! There is no need to wash your hair every day or too often as it’s terrible for it. This dry shampoo gives your hair a boost and takes away the oil in your roots.

4. Clean and Clear: Facial Cleansing Wipes

Okay we have all done it…skipped out on washing your face that night your so tired or had too many drinks? Well…keep these beside your bed and clean yourself up in seconds to avoid those regrettable breakouts the next day.

5. Nars: Bronzer in Laguna, Blush/ Lipgloss and Nail Polish in Orgasm

This is my absolute favourite make up line. Nars suits everyone its fantastic. The bronzer in Laguna gives you a beach glow and the blush in Orgasm makes you look sun kissed. Its great in summer and winter. The lipgloss and nail polish are also in Orgasm giving you a finishing touch.

6. Biotherm Skin Care: Perfect Skin

Love these products. They are light and perfect for your skin literally in all seasons. It’s not too oily, yet keeps your skin locked with moisture 24 hours.

7. Moroccan Oil

It’s ultra light, non-greasy and absorbs instantly. Apply it to your ends to prevent frizz, and to keep your hair shiny and healthy.

8. Eos: Organic Lip Treatment in Sweet Mint

Best lip care, so yummy too. It also keeps your lips soft in all weather conditions. Plus it has an interesting shape where you don’t have to use your fingers to apply it!

9. Vaseline: Cocoa Radiant Body Oil

Love this instead of body lotion. You only need to use a little bit and it really gives you that silky feeling on your skin, it also dry’s quickly.

You can get all these products at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart!! Let me know if you like them or try them out. I would love to hear the feedback!

http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

http://www.sephora.com

Me myself and I

Wet hair and no make up. Something so easy to pull off in the summer with a great tan and natural hair. As winter is approaching here in Toronto, I have experimented with many beauty products that are amazing for all seasons. Stay tuned as I will be posting my favourite beauty products for summer and winter!

Halloween ’12

My Halloween costume this year with my boyfriend was Pirates of the Caribbean, my boyfriend was Jack Sparrow and I was Elizabeth! I think we did a pretty good job;) I also posted last year’s costume which is me as Sandy from Grease! From Blonde to Brunette…quite the change. I wonder what next year’s costume will be? Any ideas?

Cinque Terre

More pics from Italy while exploring the 5 most beautiful little villages through Cinque Terre! Love the looks in all these pics and the summer feel to them! Cinque Terre has the most insanely beautiful scenic views when hiking, I highly recommend it. My favourite in particular was Monterroso which offers a stunning beach unlike the other villages that are too high up in mountains..yet still beautiful of course. 

Black and White

I love black and white pictures especially when wearing a little black dress. Every girl should own tons of black dresses as it’s easy to accessorize and is extremely flattering on any figure. Go get your black dress girls and feel sexy!

Rome Rome Rome

Here is some photos from my trip in Rome that I adore more than words can explain. Rome is the most amazing place I have been to out of majority of my travels. It has a vibe of old meets new and is filled with pure Italian culture. Various of these pictures were taken at the Colosseum and different piazza’s. My typical day in Rome consisted of lattes, wine, cheese, pasta…lots of pasta, and sightseeing!