On The Soapbox: Celebrity Diets.

Flat Tummy Fast! by James Duigan

I was recently reading a 14-day eating plan designed by celebrity trainer James Duigan (it's amazing how the words "Flat Tummy Fast" never fail to get me clicking) and I caught myself in a frown. Not because what he was suggesting didn't sound delicious – it absolutely did – but it was all just a bit, well, hard.

What normal, working woman has time to prepare "baked bass fillet" in their lunch break or "a grilled haddock fillet with roasted peppers and courgettes" before work for breakfast – I mean, what the hell is haddock, anyway?! Just googling the ingredients would take up more than the time allotted for breakfast preparation.

James says they are "simple" recipes, but I still think my oats and sultanas are simpler. Oh, how I long for a celebrity trainer to do a basic eating plan that includes, oh I don't know... things that people actual eat. Not haddock and turkey for every second meal.

Organ Donation Is Important, Y'all.

RecycleMe.org

And here's why. Mirtala Garcia's husband died of a brain hemorrhage at age 38. She decided to donate his organs and amazingly, it meant eight people desperately needing transplants could live. I urge you to read Mirtala's story. It's touching and makes you think: What do you want to happen to your organs when you no longer need them? 

It's worth thinking about. You might decide to donate, you might not, but at the very least, you should make the decision, because when your time does come to kick the bucket (and I hope it's no time soon), you won't be the one talking to the docs when they want someone to make a call – your loved ones will. So if you want them to respect your wishes, talk it over with them. Like now.

A (Really Very Easy) Risotto.

Masterchef

It doesn't matter how many episodes of Masterchef I watch or how much I fantasise about being on Ready Steady Cook with Manu, the truth is, I cannot do tricky in the kitchen. I can do recipes that feature the words "simple" and "quick" and "easy". So this Easy Chicken Risotto really hits the mark. And it even got me a compliment I'm not used to hearing in the kitchen: "Sensational".

Easy Chicken Risotto

You'll need...

• 500-600g chicken, chopped
• 1-2 tbsp oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 4 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas, cooked
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1L chicken stock
• 1-2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan
• Pepper to taste

What to do...

1. Fry chicken in a little oil until golden and set aside.

2. Heat oil, add onion and garlic, and saute.

3. Add carrots, mushrooms, peas, chicken and rice, and stir for one minute, ensuring rice is coated in oil.

4. Add chicken stock and pepper, bring to the boil.

5. Cover and bake at 200C for 20-25 minutes.

6. Stand for 2-3 minutes with the lid on, then add parsley and parmesan and stir through.

7. Serve with parmesan on top.

What Does Your Daily Kilojoule Intake Look Like?

Body & Soul

 

I loved this story that appeared in Body & Soul on the weekend. It's a clever, very visual look at the way you spend your daily kilojoule intake. The verdict: You really can enjoy a bit everything in your daily diet if you pick the right stuff.

Was That Your Tummy Grumbling?

Lafamigliahomedesign

Do you remember what hungry feels like? I was headed to the shops on Saturday – it was around 2.30pm and I hadn't yet had lunch – when I felt a grumble in my stomach.

What was that strange sensation? Then it clicked. I was hungry. It took me a few seconds to connect the dots in my mind (grumbling stomach = sign of hunger) because, I realised, I don't often let myself get hungry. Peckish, yes. But tummy-growling hungry, nope.

Given that I have breakfast at 9am, tea and 11am, lunch at 1pm, afternoon tea at 4pm and dinner at around 7pm, my meals are so regular, I've normally eaten before it gets to that point. And it got me thinking, maybe I'm eating too much? When was the last time you heard your tummy give you a hint?

On The Couch: The Race Is On!

It starts tonight: The Amazing Race Australia. And this local version promises to be every bit as addictive as it's American counterpart, with plenty of kooky duos that promise to bring the laughs. How will farmer Matt go overseas for the very first time? And can sisters Alana and Mel make it to the first pit stop without killing each other? Only time will tell.

My money's on Big W mums Tracy and Anne-Marie winning hearts, but can they win the race? Check out the full list of teams here. But before it all kicks off at 8.30pm on Channel 7, let's take a moment to enjoy my favourite ever moment from The Amazing Race. "Riiight in the kisser..."

Eat Like A Man.

Esquire

 
I met nutritionist Susie Burrell while I worked at Shop Til You Drop and after she finished shaking her head when I told her what I'd had for breakfast (jam and butter on toast), I found out that not only does Susie have rockin' taste in TV (she likes the same crappy-but-amazing shows I do), but girl really knows her stuff. And when she's not crazy busy working or appearing on Sunrise, we're lucky she shares loads of useful info on her blog. Last week's tip was my favourite: eat like a man.

"For men, weight loss is simple. They need to eat certain things at certain times. They need to cut certain things out and make dietary changes that they follow for a set period of time. There is no, “oh, but I have been good” mental debates, or justifications of, “just one and I will make up for it tomorrow”. They approach weight loss much the same way as they approach their life in general - with one eyed focus on what they are doing, no exceptions. And, then, they lose weight."

Makes sense, no? For Susie's full list of tips we can take from men, click here.