Melissa Tests It: SlimPasta Review

I have been eyeing the slimpastsa in the health food aisle of Woolworths for a little while now and decided to finally try it out.
It’s a pasta substitute that is made from a vegetable called Konjac. It is also known as the Shiratake noodle!

The benefits of SlimPasta:

  • Low Calorie
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Soy Free
  • Wheat Free
  • Dairy Free
  • Egg Free
  • Sugar Free
  • High in Fibre
  • Vegan
Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? So today for lunch I thought I’d attempt to create a SlimPasta meal! The packet suggests that you rinse the pasta and then submerge it in a bowl of hot water for 1 minute. Sounds pretty easy but still too much work for this lazy cook. I rinsed it, popped it in a bowl and microwaved for 1 minute. Then I added some Leggos vine-ripened tomato sauce plus a sprinkling of Macro soy cheese.
Review: 
It tastes more like a noodle than pasta which I suppose is to be expected. I was surprised that the total calories for the packet of pasta was less than 27 because it was very filling. I ate about a third of a packet and passed the rest on to my boyfriend.
Would I buy it again? Yes, when trying to lose weight by cutting carbs I’d definitely use it as a pasta substitute. I’ve read online that some people use it in stir fried vegetables which to me, sounds like a much nicer option that eating it with pasta sauce and soy cheese.
What I didn’t like about them was the price, it’s quite expensive at $3.50 per packet. I’m probably going to hunt for the Shiratake noodles at an asian grocery store and use them if they are cheaper.

 

Happy New Year!!!! Reflecting on 2011 Goals

How did you spend your New Years Eve?? I went to see the fireworks and had way too many alcohol beverages (no I didn’t, I had one. But did I sound cool for a second?)

Here is a photo from New Years Eve. Can you believe that this is my 7th year out of highschool? I can't!! Crazy.

Anyway, I thought it might be a nice idea to look back at the goals I had set for myself at the start of 2011 and see if I achieved them.

Here are the goals I had in 2011

Go to the gym at least 4 times a week (holidays excluded) – Yes I did this one!!

Swim with dolphins – I’ve had this goal for the past 5 years and its really not that unachievable. 2011 is the year! – 2011 wasn’t the year..I found out some shocking things about the way the dolphins in captivity are caught and don’t want to support it. I did hand feed a wild dolphin though!!
My sister is on the left (doing most of the feeding in this shot) and I am on the right. Excuse my other sister’s language. She was very excited! I’m on the right and fed the dolphin after this was filmed.

Eat smaller portions of healthier food – Yes! Definitely achieved this one. Eating 6 small meals a day has become normal for me now

Never feel ashamed/embarrassed about my body (because I’ll always be bikini ready) – Hmm, I can’t say that I didn’t felt ashamed/embarrassed of my body at all in 2011. I can say that my confidence increased tremendously though


Spend more time with my parents – This is a difficult one, my parents divorced in 2011 so it is hard to spend time with them because it always has to be separate and there is the risk of upsetting the other one. I probably spent the same amount of time with them as 2010


Explore South East Asia for a month or more and not be afraid to try new things – Yes I went to South East Asia and became a qualified scuba diver!


Be more outgoing and confident – Not really achieved. I better sign up to toastmasters this year!


Don’t go to fast food restaurants as often – Yep! Achieved


Have a closer relationship with my sisters - I think I achieved this one. We went on a sister weekend to Sydney and I booked a trip to Fiji with my twin sister (leaving in 12 days YAY)

Looking forward to spending 7 days in Mana Island with my sister!


Get a dslr camera and learn how to use it! – I bought the camera but didn’t learn how to use it. Auto mode is my best friend at the moment. 50% achieved


Take better care of my hair and skin – I started using under eye cream and making it routine to moisturise my face every night. I also started dry brushing but wasn’t SUPER consistent with it. Also, I have discovered Kerastase shampoo and conditioner. My hair has NEVER been healthier yay. AND my sister and I bought a Nano Keratin treatment machine together. I’d say this was achieved.


Drink green tea! - Not really achieved. I have had it on and off during the year but never made it a daily thing


See baby turtles hatching – I didn’t see them hatching but held a baby turtle that had recently hatched and released it into the ocean in the Philippines!


Baby Turtles - Bad quality photo, taken with my boyfriend's phone! It was a spur of the moment thing and was magical! One of my best memories in 2011


Go on more beachwalks – appreciate nature – I probably went on less beach walks because it was a busier year. This will be on the goal list for 2012

Walk my dogs more often – I took them to the dog park every Sunday to socialise which counts! Kind of achieved

Take better care of my car! (it hasn’t been serviced in a while) – My dad surprised me by servicing my car while I was in Asia. YAY! I have kept it spick and span

Drink more water - Yep

Try new recipes – I did try new recipes but didn’t cook as often

Donate to charity – Achieved!

I’m still working on my goal list for 2012. Do you have any goals that you are working on??

How cool is this quote..

“If you keep on going the way you’re going you’ll end up where you’re heading – which direction are you aiming for?”


The Brazilian Butt Lift Program

One of my biggest problem areas is my bum and thighs and instead of complaining about it I’m getting myself into bikini bum shape!
Did I tell you that two of my close friends are getting married in Thailand in Feb? Well they are! And there’s a whole group of us flying over to Ko Samui for the ceremony and to celebrate with them :)

I would really like to feel comfortable and confident in my bikini. Even after losing weight I still don’t feel as though I have my legs/bum under control. Anyway, last night I did Day One of the Brazilian Butt Lift program.

When I first heard about it I thought it was like Zumba. No offence if you’re into Zumba, but after seeing women at my gym ride imaginary horses I just can’t take it seriously haha.

It’s winter here at the moment and I have been a little lazier than normal with my gym routine so decided to force myself into doing some home workouts before I get too out of shape.

I have a ‘Combination Butt’ so am following the ‘Classic Program’. Last night I started with the ‘Bum Bum’ workout.
It was so hard!!!! Then I did the ‘Tummy Tuck’ workout.

I thought I was reasonably fit but apparently not! The models in the workout videos made me so angry. They do all the movements so easily in their skimpy gym outfits and a smile on their face. Meanwhile, I’m flopping around gasping for air in my oversized ‘Niagra Falls’ t-shirt (present from mum).

The workout is pretty intense and I am quite sore today. I am going to continue on the program and give updates!

Alessandra Ambrosio endorses the program..

You can get your own copy from amazon


Here are some recent photos from the weekend! I haven’t shown you my new hair yet have I?

At my cousins beach wedding on Stradbroke Island (I'm in the silver dress)

Waiting for the reception to start

With my beautiful sisters. Melanie with the brown hair is my twin (non identical) and Kristy on the right is 2 years younger