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Thank god that he's always a good sport. These images were published with an Australian mag called DNA where he has quite a following.
Recent Posts
Friday, September 4, 2009
Sven Smits Likes Ice Cream
A shoot that I did with my very special model and dear friend, Sven Smits, based on a crazy idea that I dreamt up in the middle of the night. "Sven, what do you think if....you have to eat ice cream in a really sexy way, cover yourself in baby oil, and look like an American Bad Boy?"
Thank god that he's always a good sport. These images were published with an Australian mag called DNA where he has quite a following.
Thank god that he's always a good sport. These images were published with an Australian mag called DNA where he has quite a following.
Off to another Adventure: Sardinia, ITALY
Looking forward to a long weekend in Sardinia, ITALY with Telihana and friends. I will be doing a Pirelli calendar inspired shoot down in this island of paradise... I have been so inspired by the Mediterranean this year and it's been an amazing nonstop summer so far.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tarragon Pengasus and Asparagus with Basmati Rice Recipe
Pengasus is a very tasty whitefish that I picked up at the grocery store yesterday. The flesh is not dry at all, decent sized filets and it's in the same family as catfish. For those counting their macros, catfish has a similar P/C/F profile as salmon but with more protein per 100g.
Fish is a very healthy part of my regime and I like to eat all kinds (salmon, tuna, perch, cod, pengasus…). Growing up, my father was a fisherman so we would frequently eat the catch of the day, yummy memories!
As this whitefish is of a delicate flavor, I made up this quick recipe.
- couple filets of Pengasus
- Spray oil
- Garlic salt
- 2 tbsp of dried terragon
- 1 cup dry basmati rice
- 2 veggie bullion cubes
- 20 spears of frozen asparagus
In one pan mash the bullion cube to bits, sprinkle it over the asparagus and let simmer at medium high heat. Do not add additional water or oil as the frozen spears will release a lot of water. This will be done within 10 minutes.
Do the same thing the basmati rice of mashing the bullion cube to bits and cook the rice in a pot or rice cooker.
In a nonstick pan over high heat, spray the pan with spray oil and toss the filets in there. Generously sprinkle the tarragon and garlic salt to taste. After about 2 minutes, carefully flip the filets. You want to remove the filets from the fire before it is fully cooked in order to keep the fish tender.
Fish is a very healthy part of my regime and I like to eat all kinds (salmon, tuna, perch, cod, pengasus…). Growing up, my father was a fisherman so we would frequently eat the catch of the day, yummy memories!
As this whitefish is of a delicate flavor, I made up this quick recipe.
- couple filets of Pengasus
- Spray oil
- Garlic salt
- 2 tbsp of dried terragon
- 1 cup dry basmati rice
- 2 veggie bullion cubes
- 20 spears of frozen asparagus
In one pan mash the bullion cube to bits, sprinkle it over the asparagus and let simmer at medium high heat. Do not add additional water or oil as the frozen spears will release a lot of water. This will be done within 10 minutes.
Do the same thing the basmati rice of mashing the bullion cube to bits and cook the rice in a pot or rice cooker.
In a nonstick pan over high heat, spray the pan with spray oil and toss the filets in there. Generously sprinkle the tarragon and garlic salt to taste. After about 2 minutes, carefully flip the filets. You want to remove the filets from the fire before it is fully cooked in order to keep the fish tender.
Daily Schedule
My Typical schedule:
7am: Wake
7:30-8:30am: Glutamine, fiber, and coffee. Do morning stationary bike for 30 minutes, cook food for the day as required, get caught up on emails.
8:30am: ½ cup of All Bran with skim milk, stevia, cinnamon. 2-3 egg whites.
9am: Work
Noon: Cup of plain vegetables (sometimes raw or steamed), 4-5oz of protein (baked, steamed, etc), sometimes a ½ cup of cooked rice/low calorie broth soup/slice of bread.
12-1pm: Usually nap in the car and run errands
2pm: Take supplements.
3pm: Eat protein and a cup of plain veggies.
6pm: Take supplements. Eat protein and a ½ cup of plain veggies.
7pm: Leave work for the gym
7:30 – 10pm: Gym. HIIT stepper routine and musculation. HIIT routine is 30 minutes of alternating sprinting/medium intensity on the stair master. Then for musculation I do something like legs, back, shoulders/arms, chest/arms, abs/legs. Or if I’m short on time in the evening then I’ll do my stationary bike for 30 minutes and a workout DVD.
10pm: Eat protein and a cup of plain veggies. I mix it up but remember to have a protein and small amount of carb. For example, I might have a couple slices of ham/smoked salmon and a cup of fat free yogurt and fruit. Or I have some 100g chicken breast + rice cakes + veggies. Whatever it is, I keep it light so I go to bed slightly hungry.
10 – 12:30am: Cook more, internet, emails. Sleep.
7am: Wake
7:30-8:30am: Glutamine, fiber, and coffee. Do morning stationary bike for 30 minutes, cook food for the day as required, get caught up on emails.
8:30am: ½ cup of All Bran with skim milk, stevia, cinnamon. 2-3 egg whites.
9am: Work
Noon: Cup of plain vegetables (sometimes raw or steamed), 4-5oz of protein (baked, steamed, etc), sometimes a ½ cup of cooked rice/low calorie broth soup/slice of bread.
12-1pm: Usually nap in the car and run errands
2pm: Take supplements.
3pm: Eat protein and a cup of plain veggies.
6pm: Take supplements. Eat protein and a ½ cup of plain veggies.
7pm: Leave work for the gym
7:30 – 10pm: Gym. HIIT stepper routine and musculation. HIIT routine is 30 minutes of alternating sprinting/medium intensity on the stair master. Then for musculation I do something like legs, back, shoulders/arms, chest/arms, abs/legs. Or if I’m short on time in the evening then I’ll do my stationary bike for 30 minutes and a workout DVD.
10pm: Eat protein and a cup of plain veggies. I mix it up but remember to have a protein and small amount of carb. For example, I might have a couple slices of ham/smoked salmon and a cup of fat free yogurt and fruit. Or I have some 100g chicken breast + rice cakes + veggies. Whatever it is, I keep it light so I go to bed slightly hungry.
10 – 12:30am: Cook more, internet, emails. Sleep.
Labels:
diet,
exercise,
healthy,
lose weight,
nutrition,
training,
working out,
workout plan
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Morning Start
EAAs, CLA, multivitamin, vit C, vit E, superfood capsules, Mega Green Tea extract, St. John's Wort, L-carnitine, instant expresso, and sparkling water to wash it all down. Repeat a couple of these items 3x/day.
Also I take psyllum fiber, glutamine, and NO2 prior to my morning cardio (empty stomach).
I'm not going to even pretend that this is normal but do what you gotta do for contest prep.
-- Post From My iPhone
Also I take psyllum fiber, glutamine, and NO2 prior to my morning cardio (empty stomach).
I'm not going to even pretend that this is normal but do what you gotta do for contest prep.
-- Post From My iPhone
Obesity Lie. It's YOUR Fault, Not your Genes.
Article Link: The obesity lie. Dont blame it on genes and calories
From the metaboliceffect blog
Jade Teta ND, CSCS
Article Summary:
From the metaboliceffect blog
Jade Teta ND, CSCS
Article Summary:
- Many people still perceive the DNA of a cell as the cells brain. In the lab, remove the genes from a cell and it keeps on living. Genes provide instructions to fix a cell when it wears down, like an auto parts store.
- The real brain of the cell is the membrane. The surface of the membrane holds thousands of receptors that interact with the hormones in your body. Remove the receptors and the cell goes comatose and dies.
- What controls a cell? Hormones. What determines what hormones are released? The environment you create for your body: Food, exercise, thoughts, behaviors, light, sound.
- Tribal groups with the same gene pool but living in two different geographical and cultural areas were studied. One group was fat (Western group) and the other was normal (native group). The difference? Environment.
From my own observation as a first generation Vietnamese American, I am much more robust than my parents in terms of size and bone structure. Comparing myself to my cousins in Vietnam, I’m a giant. This is clearly attributable to my nutrition, health care, and state of the art American environment. I think that this article scientifically validates what many of us can see with our own eyes and makes the link to an abnormal body state (Obesity) and the environment that we live in.
Therefore, if you are obese, it’s within your control.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Yogurt muffins recipe
It started with a morning attempt to eat some yogurt. I buy plain yogurt by the quart and typically add sweetener and cinnamon. I thought it would be a "great" idea to neutralize the yogurt acidity by adding some baking soda. But then I had a childhood science experiment of the chemical volcano on my hands. Crap!
So some quick thinking, I threw some flour in there, sprayed up my muffin tray with Pam, filled it up with the mixture and baked for 350F or 180C. 20 minutes later I had fat free cinnamon yogurt muffins :)
-- Post From My iPhone
So some quick thinking, I threw some flour in there, sprayed up my muffin tray with Pam, filled it up with the mixture and baked for 350F or 180C. 20 minutes later I had fat free cinnamon yogurt muffins :)
-- Post From My iPhone
25 Physique Friendly Recipes: Great Food And Great Taste!
Check out the link to get to all of these yummy recipes.
High Protein Breakfast Recipes
Chicken Sausage Frittata
Tomato Basil Omelet
Smoked Chipotle Cheese Omelet
Stuffed French Toast
Chai Blueberry Oatmeal
Protein Pancakes
Delicious Lunch & Dinner Recipes
Grilled Tuna Salad
Chicken Caesar Pita
Balsamic Chicken with Chickpea Puree
Dr. John's Chili
Greek Burger
Turkey Saag
Grilled Turkey Sausage with Apricot Salsa and Veggies
Turkey Kebabs with Spicy Beans
Asian Chicken Curry
Coconut Chicken
Low-Carb Desserts
Chocolate Cheesecake
Hazelnut Chocolate Bites
Mixed Nut Cookies
Super Shakes
Berry Blast Super Shake
Apricot Yogurt Shake
Chocolate Mint Shake
Protein Bars and Snacks
Almond Coconut Bars
Vanilla Meringue Trail Mix Bars
Apple Cinnamon Protein Bar
High Protein Breakfast Recipes
Chicken Sausage Frittata
Tomato Basil Omelet
Smoked Chipotle Cheese Omelet
Stuffed French Toast
Chai Blueberry Oatmeal
Protein Pancakes
Delicious Lunch & Dinner Recipes
Grilled Tuna Salad
Chicken Caesar Pita
Balsamic Chicken with Chickpea Puree
Dr. John's Chili
Greek Burger
Turkey Saag
Grilled Turkey Sausage with Apricot Salsa and Veggies
Turkey Kebabs with Spicy Beans
Asian Chicken Curry
Coconut Chicken
Low-Carb Desserts
Chocolate Cheesecake
Hazelnut Chocolate Bites
Mixed Nut Cookies
Super Shakes
Berry Blast Super Shake
Apricot Yogurt Shake
Chocolate Mint Shake
Protein Bars and Snacks
Almond Coconut Bars
Vanilla Meringue Trail Mix Bars
Apple Cinnamon Protein Bar
Sunday, August 30, 2009
What makes a successful model?
It's interesting to be on the other side of the lens and experience what it's like to be the photographer who is in control of the show. Since my preference is to take editorial-fashion-glamour-beauty images rather than inanimate objects, I find myself being very selective with whom I work with to test and then later whom I would call on when I am looking for models for work.
If you are/want to be a model, here's some things to keep in mind as you go on shoots:
Don't be pushy. This show is not about YOU and I know how easy it is to get self centered in this business. Be considerate and polite to everyone involved on the shoot, this is your reputation and us photographers remember who the easy going people are. No one wants to work with a Diva. People may give you compliments all of the time because you have some nice pictures but photographers see nice pictures every day. What will make you stand out is your personality.
Be in good shape. As an agency model you should be aware of this since you will need to fit standard size clothing. This point does not escape freelance models either though! I've been lucky that all of the models that I have worked with have resembled their model portfolio online however I know other photographers who have had models that showed up and didn't look a thing like their pictures. C'mon people... if you understand that this is a no-no for online dating, why would you try to do this to book a job?
Keep your word. You're word is your reputation so honor your commitments. If you said that you are confirmed for a shoot, show up or give a decent advance notice (>24 hours) so that no one wastes their time. Flakes never get a second opportunity.
Know your boundaries yet don't be timid. If you are uncomfortable with your body, modeling is probably not the best choice for you. You don't have to do nudity if you don't want to (like myself) but the main problem with being self conscious is that it comes across on camera. At the end of the day, I can photoshop nearly everything EXCEPT a facial expression. If you got fear in your eyes, it shows.
Study pictures within your genre. Like any profession, you need to study in order to make yourself better. I often go onto Model Mayhem and study other people's pictures to understand why it was so eye catching in the first place. The posing, expression, fashion, lighting, ambience, post processing. Your body is part of your expression so learn new poses and expressions. A model is essentially an actor on film. Everytime I do a shoot I try to convey myself accordingly using techniques such as making intensity in the eyes, holding my mouth a certain way, understanding head and body positioning relative to the camera, suck it in, stick it out, etc.
Network like hell. As you can see from what I've written above, this is hugely about reputation. Get out there and meet people in the industry, be friendly, socialize online in the modeling community with other models/photographers, keep your agency up to date on your activities ("out of sight, out of mind" adage). Keep all of the pictures in your modeling portfolio fresh aka < 1 year old.
Do test shoots with many other photographers to practice. Get different styles in your book and you always learn as you work with others. Everyone has a different style and it's good for you. Remember, all you need is one good pic from each shoot for your book.
If you are/want to be a model, here's some things to keep in mind as you go on shoots:
Don't be pushy. This show is not about YOU and I know how easy it is to get self centered in this business. Be considerate and polite to everyone involved on the shoot, this is your reputation and us photographers remember who the easy going people are. No one wants to work with a Diva. People may give you compliments all of the time because you have some nice pictures but photographers see nice pictures every day. What will make you stand out is your personality.
Be in good shape. As an agency model you should be aware of this since you will need to fit standard size clothing. This point does not escape freelance models either though! I've been lucky that all of the models that I have worked with have resembled their model portfolio online however I know other photographers who have had models that showed up and didn't look a thing like their pictures. C'mon people... if you understand that this is a no-no for online dating, why would you try to do this to book a job?
Keep your word. You're word is your reputation so honor your commitments. If you said that you are confirmed for a shoot, show up or give a decent advance notice (>24 hours) so that no one wastes their time. Flakes never get a second opportunity.
Know your boundaries yet don't be timid. If you are uncomfortable with your body, modeling is probably not the best choice for you. You don't have to do nudity if you don't want to (like myself) but the main problem with being self conscious is that it comes across on camera. At the end of the day, I can photoshop nearly everything EXCEPT a facial expression. If you got fear in your eyes, it shows.
Study pictures within your genre. Like any profession, you need to study in order to make yourself better. I often go onto Model Mayhem and study other people's pictures to understand why it was so eye catching in the first place. The posing, expression, fashion, lighting, ambience, post processing. Your body is part of your expression so learn new poses and expressions. A model is essentially an actor on film. Everytime I do a shoot I try to convey myself accordingly using techniques such as making intensity in the eyes, holding my mouth a certain way, understanding head and body positioning relative to the camera, suck it in, stick it out, etc.
Network like hell. As you can see from what I've written above, this is hugely about reputation. Get out there and meet people in the industry, be friendly, socialize online in the modeling community with other models/photographers, keep your agency up to date on your activities ("out of sight, out of mind" adage). Keep all of the pictures in your modeling portfolio fresh aka < 1 year old.
Do test shoots with many other photographers to practice. Get different styles in your book and you always learn as you work with others. Everyone has a different style and it's good for you. Remember, all you need is one good pic from each shoot for your book.
