A Supermodel's Cinderella Tale

As I was listing through the pages of a Vogue magazine, I stumbled upon a pretty face that exuded lots of joy and calm. Even though she was 26 years old, she looked like she was 17. That face belonged to Russian supermodel, Natalia Vodianova, who is known as the Russian Cinderella. I have been fascinated by Natalia since she came on the modeling scene in the early 2000s. Not because she’s beautiful, but because of her personality and life story. Born in Gorky, Russia on February 28, 1982, Natalia had a difficult childhood, where she had to sell fruits in order to help her mother and invalid sister survive. As faith would have it, Natalia went to a model casting, where she caught the eye of one of the photographers there. She was sent to Paris, and it was there where the blue-eyed beauty met her future husband, and real estate heir billionaire, Justin Portman. Their meeting was anything but a fairy tale. As Justin describes their first meeting at a restaurant, “We were both drunk and shouted at each other all night. My best friend said I had found my wife!” (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/24/1053585746715.html). Justin would later apologize to his future wife for their argument, and they would soon get married and have three children. Now, this supermodel, who has everything her heart desires, lives with her Prince, three beautiful offspring, and seems totally unfazed by her fame and fortune. She seems so humble, thankful, and happy because of what she has accomplished. Natalia knows what it’s like to be poor, live in a tiny flat apartment, and having to fight for your survival. That’s why the world of the rich and famous does not change her. And who would have thought that a simple pretty girl from Russia, who had no money and was not educated, would end up marrying one the richest men in England? Yes, happiness and love can happen to anyone as long as that person has a pure heart and is not afraid to take risks. After all, look at Natalia Vodianova, who went from rags to riches, all with a smile on her face.

Jazz Up Your Veggies

We all know that we should take good care of ourselves. After all, the efforts that we put in now into looking after our bodies will show later on as we grow older. One of the biggest and most important things we can due to ensure our health is to have a nutritious diet. That includes eating lots of vegetables. I adore vegetables, especially tomatoes, asparagus, and garlic (not raw, but in food!). I try to eat as much veggies as I can a day, or drink vegetable juice. One of the biggest reasons why most people skip on their vegetables is due to the fact that they think veggies are not tasty, or are simply used in uncreative ways in food. I have found a solution on how to jazz up your veggies, and make some wonderful dishes. The following recipes are ones that I’ve made up (or made my own version of) and love making at home, and the ingredients are measured solely by eye-proportion (meaning they can be adjusted).

Tomato and Onion Sour Cream Salad

*2 plumb tomatoes
*1 medium onion
*½ cup sour cream (you can use light sour cream)
*salt and pepper to taste

-Cut each tomato into four big pieces, then cut in half each piece (so slices will look like crescent moons)
-Chop up the onion into similar slices, but don’t mince
-Add the sour cream, salt, and pepper, and mix.
It’s sooo good!

Asparagus Sticks with Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese

*a bunch of asparagus sticks
*¼ cup olive oil
*1 garlic clove
*salt and pepper
*store bought parmesan cheese

-Preheat skillet to medium-high heat, and add olive oil.
-Mince the garlic clove and add to olive oil
-Chop the asparagus sticks in half, and add to hot oil
-Let cook for 5-7 minutes
-Sprinkle cheese on top of hot asparagus, and drizzle with hot olive oil from skillet
The cheese and garlic add great taste to the normally bland asparagus.


Garlic Broccoli in Olive Oil

*a bouquet of broccoli
*1 garlic clove
*¼ cup of olive oil
*1 lemon
*salt
*pepper

-in a medium pot boil water, then add approx. 1 teaspoon salt
-wash broccoli then cut the stems and drop broccoli into the boiling water
-let cook for 5-7 minutes, until broccoli is tender by fork touch
-preheat skillet to medium-high heat and add olive oil after a few minutes
-mince garlic and add to oil
-remove broccoli from boiling water and add into skillet
-add lemon juice after 2-3 minutes, basting the oil onto the veggies
-remove the broccoli from the skillet, and add pepper to taste
Super healthy and delicious.