After Two weeks

Well guys, here is the report. It has been two weeks since doing the Cohen Program. (although I had my fears before starting.) One of the things I have to say it that it IS really challenging to find ways to make your food appetizing AND following the guidelines set by the center.

Having a food blog and loving food, I was really so scared of cutting a lot of the "yummy" ingredients out. But I have to work on improving my health after all.

My meals cut out soy sauce, ketchup, all sauces. Everything is out except for vinegar and spices.

I have also limited choices in vegetables, most leafy green ones are ok, potatoes, beans are not allowed.

The first two days I really had to adjust to the "rules" of the program because it had a strict rule that you can't eat different proteins together and you have to wait 5 hours between each protein meal. In between these, you are allowed fruit and a cracker allowance. However, you are only allowed to eat 1 cracker per time and you have to wait 2.5 hours after eating to eat another cracker.

WHEW!

Sometimes I think I am in masterchef.  I have these BOX of ingredients and I have to make a (delicious) meal out of it.

Everyday, I have to plan my meals accordingly. I find that as a result, I scrutinize all the ingredients that go into my food and not munch on anything mindlessly. Which in turn made me realize how unhealthy I used to eat.

I use more of the spices I have in my cupboard now. (some of them are kindda old and I had to buy new ones) and discovered a whole new world of flavor aside from soy sauce and oyster sauce.

I become more innovative in the kitchen. (although I admit I miss pizza) Here is a sample meal.. chicken with cauliflower and celery

The one thing that sets this apart from others is the support I get from other people who are doing it too. From tips, to recipes to products that would help me stick to the program easier.
They are Cohenites.. and they are very inspiring people!

So far, I am enjoying cooking. some of the things I learned:

1. spinach tastes awful without oyster sauce
2. cauliflower (w/c I didn't used to eat) tastes fantastic with curry
3. soup gets you far
4. melons don't make you as hungry as eating an apple
5. when in dire (hungry) state, drink diet cola --(I don't usually drink colas but since it is allowed, I opted to drink one when I was so hungry and did not have my snack with me.)

I have adjusted well so much that I have returned to baking and cooking "regular" foods. Which is really making me sooo happy. I have baked cheesecake, brownies, buns and oatmeal cookies without once cheating! ( a month before I was in a baking depression and stopped cooking --- and cooking for me is soo relaxing like therapy)

AND I have lost (thus far) 7lbs. YEY!!!!!

Boracay Rental update

You may be wondering what happened to the boracay rental I was ranting about 2 posts back.

Well, after 1 week of no reply, Belinda finally sent me an email. And Boy! was it a whole new different email from the last one she sent.

Basically, she said that she was busy because the owner of the house arrived (roll eyes) and  then she offered to help me look for accomodations for us in another hotel for the 1 day and then we can move to the house on the succeding days.

I looked at the email and pondered. I haven't actually replied to it. Do you think I need to reply? After giving me grief over the booking (and replying me a week later).. SHOULD I reply at all?

I pondered for awhile.

I felt like someone who got dumped by her boyfriend and then having the same boyfriend come back a few weeks later and ask you for a second chance (to get back together). I have been hurt and scarred. You know the feeling?

I keep reviewing the events. If she had proposed this in the frist place, (booking us elsewhere for the 1 night) rather than sending me an ULTIMATUM, then I would have gladly taken her on the offer. I was wondering if the news got to her that I wrote a blog post about it. In fact, my cousin commented the same scenario on that post. (hmmm......) I was thinking MAYBE the owner got a wind of it and reprimanded her.

In any case....

I have already  booked myself into Discovery Shores (w/c my friend told me was fantastic)... see pics below...( photos from discovery shores website)

damage has been done and I would not feel relaxed if I stayed in that house.  I would rather enjoy spending it in a more professional hotel....

I hope nobody experiences the same in the future. Lesson learned.

Sidewalk quirks Bangkok

After my ranting post on the vacation rental, I think it would be relaxing to post a "feel good" one.

Was walking in Bangkok last week and saw this shop by the side of the road selling assorted novelty items

It was really cute - they had robot toys, come handmade replica vintage cars and some bicycle carts

I also saw a jar (the one used for plants which had water lilies... when I looked down, I saw some fish.

I love the vintage cars... I bought some for the house. ( as decor) Maybe when I go back... I'll buy the other models

very 60s... like scooby doo.

this one is like the robot from LOST IN SPACE

Hope everyone had a nice Valentines! Enjoy the pictures!

Screwed Over

I was on a work related trip the whole of last week.  The week before that, I was ELATED... no.. actually GUSHING to my friends on how I got to book an AMAZING place in Boracay. It was a house rental.

I contacted the administrator of the rental thru email if the house was available for OCT 31- NOV3. They confirmed that it was and I hurriedly booked my tickets (and that of my family) for a total 9 people. I confirmed my booking through email and told them I could send the deposit for the house the following monday (it was a saturday and there was no bank) since I was flying out on Monday and wont be back till saturday again. She affirmed that it was alright.

See here (for our conversation)--- I highlighted my reply...

here is her reply: ( which I assumed was a confirmation that everything was ok)

By her reply, I was confident that I could go on my business trip and pay her when I get back since she said it was ok. However, when I got back.. I was greeted by this email: ( she had such a nice tone to the email too.... and I assumed she was just checking if I could possibly change date)

I told her that I could not possible change dates since I already had tickets and rebooking would cost the same as if I had bought another set of tickets. She them emailed me a sort of "take it or Leave it " option.--- which had a firmer tone than the previous email. it was like saying..screw you... i have a bigger client and you family is no consequence

 I ask you guys..... isn't this being screwed over???? because she got a 16 day booking after I confirmed, that overlapped my booking, she essentially just leaving me out to dry!!!

I felt really angry and disappointed that someone could be so unprofessional. The 5000 pesos she offered did not cover the expense we have to make to move 9 roundtrip tickets at 3000 pesos per person AND I wouldn't have booked the trip if not for wanting to go see that HOUSE!!!

If that were done to you,  wouldn't you feel like someone was slapping you in the face? -- WOULD YOU DEAL with this kind of company? EVEN IF they have a wonderful place?

I am now trying to book other accomodations as my email (to complain at this kind of shabby treatment) is now being ignored.

WARNING TO THOSE WHO WANT TO BOOK HERE..... don't judge a book by it's modern exterior. Expecting to be treated like paying people only to be set aside when a BETTER offer comes along.....


UPDATE: See HERE on what happened next

Cohen Jitters

It was November last year when my friend turned to me and said, "Why don't you try Cohen?". Her husband was doing a very successful South beach diet program and we were discussing the best ways to lose weight. (mention diet and all ears will just perk up...)


I have heard about the Cohen program off and on but really had no idea what it was.

"What is Cohen anyway?" I asked. She explained that from what she heard, It was a diet that would depend on your blood tests and from there, they would give you a meal plan to follow. She has a friend who knows someone who lost 100 pounds!

wow.

Hmm... I was beginning to ponder.... My friend cut in at once and slammed my thoughts back to earth.


"You have to start next year though," she said nonchantly, as if reading my already wandering mind " it would be impossible for you to start any diet now that Christmas is coming and PLUS... you have  your food blog."

I scowled.

She was right, of course. I had a bundle of baking to do for my Christmas giveaways , not to mention mountains of food gifts that come my way during Christmas. Attempting this was like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (tom cruise climbing the BURJ-- but without the sticky gloves). I pushed the thought in the back of my mind for the rest of 2011.

So fast forward to first week January. Weight issues are at the forefront of everyone's mind. I was no exception.  Finally, I called the center to inquire about the program and was informed that I was required to attend an orientation. So I booked myself into the next one they had.

Truth to say, I have been chubby all my life and I was Ok with that. But in recent months, I found myself getting chubbier and chubbier. I found myself not fitting into my (size L) clothes. It was depressing to "think" myself as a size THIS and getting a wake up call in the dressing room when the previous size I was could not fit me anymore.

I went to the center on the day of the orientation. The clinic itself was smallish, with one reception area and one conference room. Inside there was a crowd of people already. Well, there were actually about 5 people but it looked cramped just because everyone was a bit on the large side and the reception area was small. You can feel the tension and anticipation of everyone there. (I am guessing we were having the same thoughts in our head)

A thin receptionist approaches me and asks me to fill up a form. One of the more puzzling questions in it was -- "What is your shoe size"--HUH???-- I later found out that they use your shoe size + your height to calculate your ideal weight...... (ok, maybe there is a science to this....)
After filling up the form, you are weighed and measured --(yeah I know.... kindda gives you an odd feeling... like someone going to slaughter. )

We were ushered into the conference room m a little before 6pm, . A slender elegant woman walked in. From what I know, she was the one who brought the Cohen lifestyle method to Manila. She also used to be overweight  and had tried all the pills, plans and diets there were out there. (sounding a bit familiar). ....the only thing that worked for her was Cohen.

She proceeded to talk about Cohen. Basically, it's a medical plan that analyzes each individual person's biochemical profile and from there prescribes food to balance out the hormones in your body that is making you retain fat. I found her likable and very articulate. One of the things she said that struck me was, "If you are going to ask me if there is a "cheat day" to this plan, I am definitely going to tell you NO"

NONE? Nada?

shuckers.

I was feeling doubt setting in. Can I really do this? I looked at the number listed as my ideal weight. panic set in. I haven't been this weight since.. since.. eh, GRADE 2!


She then showed us slideshows of men and women who lost 40lbs, 50lbs, 100lbs. They all looked great. If they can do it, why can't I ? 


I signed up, took the blood test and waited. The price of the program was  about 2 ipads or a little less than 1 PRADA bag. It took 3 weeks for them to call me back to give me my food plan. (They had to send my blood test to DR. Cohen to analyze and I guess there was a lot of people signing up) During the wait, I psyched myself. (and shucked cooking and food blogging-- for awhile). I knew they would restrict my carb intake. I was a little depressing to think because I really loved my carbs.

Tomorrow I will get my meal plan. Goodbye rice, Goodbye pastries, goodbye bread.! The irony of it all, I got a whole bunch of gifts last Christmas related to baking. AND my pantry is still stocked full of ingredients. WAAAAAHH...!!!!

However, this is for my health. I was surprised at my blood test that it showed a high number for my SGPT. I researched and it turned out I might have a FATTY LIVER.  (p.s. I don't drink). So... health scare right there. One of the best things they say about COHEN is that it is not a diet. It is a medical plan. Medicine thru food. (for more info, click HERE). I have to blog about what I think about it when I really immerse myself in the program. (countdown 2 weeks till lift off)

so, to be continued....