S is for Sun and Summer

Thank you DimpleBijou for including my Malia Sunshine Bikini top in your Treasury! This treasury looks so happy! Yay! Summer is soooo here!

The Burpee

So I've received a lot of messages and mail about my post on the 6 Minute Bikini Body by Coach Yari. Did any of you do it? I did! I think it was the longest 6 minutes of my life! And it looked so simple on the photo!

I googled the Burpee, and found a few demos on Youtube. Here's one of them:

The 6-Minute Bikini Body

Every time someone sees my bikinis but feels they don't have the body for it, I always say "sexy is a state of mind" and that "anyBODY can wear my bikinis". Well you know, I think I am chucking those lines out the window. Time to stop those excuses girls! Finally, get that bikini body! In just 6 minutes a day, you can get yours! Check out this email I got. It's one of the few newsletters I wholeheartedly welcome in my email inbox. From Dr. Al Sears. And when he had the subject of the email as "The 6 Minute Bikini Body", of course it was the first email I had to read! So here I am sharing it to everyone who stumbles on my blog!

The email goes like this. Dr Al Sears, this is my version of forwarding your email :)

--

Dear Mary (yes that's part of my very Catholic Filipina name... it's in my passport and my IC),

Summer’s here. That means it’s time to roll out your “beach-ready” body for maximum outdoor fun.

If you’re not feeling quite there yet, don’t sweat it. My good friend and PACE® trainer Coach Yari just showed me and my staff a turbo-charged 6-minute workout. It’s awesome. This routine will get your body burning fat like a blowtorch.

It figures Coach Yari would come up with something this simple. She was voted “America’s Next Fitness Phenom of 2008” by Project Breakout.

It’s an “oldie but a goodie.” It’s a basic form of calisthenics soldiers and athletes have been using for years to stay ripped. She calls it the Burpee. It’s also known as the “squat thrust jump.”

The squat thrust jump is super-effective because it targets all muscle groups: Chest, calves, shoulders, quads, hamstrings, arms, back… you name it. Of course, consult with your doctor if you’ve had any injuries before giving it a try.

Here’s Coach Yari demonstrating it herself:

Step 1: Just as the name says, squat!
Step 2: Place your hands on the ground.
Step 3: Thrust your legs back and land in a push-up position.
Step 4: Jump your way back to a squatting position.
Step 5: Jump up with your hands in the air. Beginners, just stand up.
Step 6: Repeat.

As you can see, it’s a simple (but challenging) variation of your basic squat thrust. Start off slow until you can get the hang of it.

Pay close attention to keeping proper form as you do the Burpee—but really give it your all, too (except for the first warm-up set, of course). Your total exertion time should be no longer than 6 minutes, but be sure to allow yourself all the recovery time you need to feel ready for your next set.

Here’s the 4-week schedule Coach Yari recommends for maximum fat-burning power:


Coach Yari has several other 6-minute workouts that you can learn. She’s holding a 3-day Health and Fitness Retreat in Delray Beach, Florida. It runs from July 10-12, 2009. This is an event you won’t want to miss. I’ll be there as both a speaker and a participant. There are only a few slots left, so be sure to sign up today.

--

I think I'll try this out! To try out her online program, click here.

And to see Dr. Al Sears' website, click here.

Seafood Paella

When I crave for Paella, I go for the quick version here at Marche in Vivocity. I am no chef, so why should I try and cook my own? Now thanks to one of my oldest friends Aileen, she blogged about cooking Paella. One day I just may try this Spanish dish! Check it out in her blog right here.

Silk Bangles

Don't these rings just remind you of Fisher Price's famous stacking rings? I loved that toy! But I love these bangles better.

I think they'd be perfect with a white summer dress, bare capri sandals, and a huge straw bag :)

Check out my store to get these little lovelies!

An Afternoon in Arab Street

Just wondering if this works. I cut together a montage of an afternoon the hubby and I had one time. Capped it off with a timelapse shot :)

An Afternoon in Arab Street from Pinky Calica Vierra on Vimeo.

Martha Stewart Living June 2009

I've sworn off magazine buying for the past few months. Ever since Domino was discontinued, somehow I was able to curb my need to buy glossies and browse their internet counterparts instead.

Then here comes the June issue of Martha Stewart Living. It simply was inviting. I loved the cover! It's so summer! Naturally the beach house cover was the one that made me buy the magazine just after 5 seconds of looking at it. I haven't read it yet, but I think I'm going to enjoy it. I am after all the same person who keeps old magazines (Real Simple, Living, and Domino). What attracted me to this magazine mostly is the cover. Che-check it out!


It might be so self centered of me, but I think I bought it because the cushions reminded me of the cushions we have on our living room couch. I think this is the same syndrome women have when we find a celebrity beautiful only because you know she somewhat can look like you, and she's just a made up and prettier version (meaning that you are her uglier version). But I digress... (I swear Angelina Jolie is so pretty... Kidding!)

Here is a short video clip of our living room/ dining area. I didn't mean to showcase the house. I meant to sample the Flip Ultra HD which I bought over Amazon. Again, ignore the mismatched dining room chairs... after all this is not me showcasing my interior design expertise (and yes I am still looking for better chairs). Just check out the pillows! I got them about 2 years ago, and I haven't seen these cushion covers being sold recently . I think they're really so summery. I love them.



I just shot the feature of the cover house.




I love this last bedroom! Don't you just love the coral and sea green pillows?

Ok! Time to read!