Spicy chunky vegetable soup

1 huge pot!
1 large onion
4 garlic cloves
Handful of mustard seeds
Handful of thyme
Handful of mixed herbs
Parsley roughly chopped
Large heaped tablespoon Turmeric
A stack of large tomatoes
4 red peppers
2 sweet potatoes
1 broccoli
1 cabbage
1 cauliflower
Mangetout
4 carrots
1 glass red wine
2 chillies (optional)
Around 1 litre plus of bottled water
Kalo vegetable stock (available supermarket)
Half lemon juice

Roughly chop up all the veg and place in the pot. Add onions, garlic, chilli and all the herbs.

Blend the tomatoes, some water and red peppers in a blender then add to veg.

Put some bottled water in a pan with 2 of the vegetable stock and once dissolved, add to veg and turn on the hob.

Add red wine.

Stir ingredient and then add enough water so it is covering the vegetables by about an inch.

Cooking time approximately 1 hour

Warm beetroot and quinoa tabbouleh

Here's a recipe for a really quick, high protein, low fat dish :)

115g / 4oz Quinoa
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Large Red Onions
2 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Raw beetroots grated (200g / 7oz)
Handful of Parsley roughly chopped, plus extra to serve

Put Quinoa in a sieve and rinse thoroughly under the cold tap, then put into a sauce pan with 300ml / half pint of water and bring to the boil. Cover and leave to cool slowly for 15 mins. Remove from hear and allow to stand covered for 5 mins

Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan, add onions, stir and coat with the oil and then cover and leave to cook for 10 mins or until tender.

Stir balsamic vinegar into the onions, let it bubble, then remove from the heat and add quinoa, lemon juice, beetroot, parsley. Add pepper to taste.

Serve with red chard leaves, parsley or salad

X

Turmeric is a great healer!

Turmeric has been used for many centuries in India and Asia because of its benefits in treating ailments since ancient times. It contains an active ingredient called Curcumin, an important ingredient in curry powder, which is a blend of several spices. Curry’s distinctive yellow color is due to its content of Curcumin. 
It is also part of the ginger family.
It has been used to treat disorders from arthritis and digestive problems, to urinary complaints. Turmeric was a way of treating skin and wound conditions as well as low energy levels

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic food. It contains potassium,  vitamin B6, iron, manganese and fiber.

The root of the Turmeric is the most effective and it thought to speed up healing process by 4x

 Here's some of the health benefits of using Turmeric.

-  It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful a disinfecting cuts and burns. 
- Add it to cooking to kill of germs in your food.
- Add some to cauliflower to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Prevents breast cancer from spreading to the lungs.
- Is a natural liver detoxifier.
- May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
- Is a natural painkiller
- Aid's in fat metabolism and weight management.
- Used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression. 
- Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects. 
- Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin. 
- May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
-Fresh root contains very good levels of vitamin-C. Vitamin C is a powerful, natural anti-oxidant, which helps the body develop immunity against germs, and remove harmful free oxygen radicals. 
Turmeric is used for arthritis, heartburn (dyspepsia), stomach pain, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver problems and gallbladder disorders.

It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever and menstrual problems. Other uses include depression, Alzheimer’s disease, water retention, worms, and kidney problems.Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain, ringworm, bruising, leech bites, eye infections, inflammatory skin conditions, soreness inside of the mouth, and infected wounds.

Some recipes containing Turmeric - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/turmeric 

The health benefits of Lemon juice :)

Let’s take a look at a few more of the incredible benefits of fresh lemon juice.
pH Alkaline State – It is vital to maintain a slightly positive alkaline state in order to fight off Cancer and other illnesses. Although acidic to taste, lemons are one of the most alkaline of foods and help to push our bodies to the required pH alkaline state of around 7.4. See this page for a large list of alkaline forming foods. Please also see the following page for another very good list of alkaline foods. http://rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

Blood Purifier – Lemons are a blood purifier and help the body to remove toxins.
Blood Sugar Balance – The acidity of raw lemon juice lowers the impact of any meal on your blood sugar. Detoxification – Raw lemon juice cleanses the kidneys and the digestive system. It helps the body in the removal of toxins and provides you with a great overall detox.  
Weight Loss - The pectin in lemon peel is a great source of fiber that is thought to help overweight people lose weight.
Osteoporosis – Lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C and helps the body to absorb calcium and fight osteoporosis. Two tablespoons of raw lemon juice diluted in a glass of warm water is good for pregnant women, as it helps build the bones in the unborn child.  
Insomnia – in case of insomnia, raw lemon juice helps to improve sleep.
Brain and Nerve Food – The potassium found in raw lemon juice helps the brain and nerve cells, improves concentration, memory and calms the mind.
Immune System – Raw lemon juice strengthens the immune system which in turn helps fight many illnesses including cancer.   
Infection – When sickness has developed raw lemon juice is an excellent fighter of infection, as it is rich in citric acid.  
Cough and Cold – Lemon added to a little hot water with some honey is one of the most effective remedies known for a cough and cold.  
Asthma – Having half-teaspoonful of fresh lemon juice, washing it down with luke-warm water before each meal provides quick relief to Asthma. Repeating it as the last dose of the day and starting the day with it also gives very positive results.
Corns – Apply lemon juice few times a day and see the miraculous results. Bind the corn and leave it overnight and get rid of the trouble soon.  
Nausea, Vomiting and Travel Sickness – Take a glass of lemon juice diluted with some water to help with travel sickness and nausea.
Rheumatic and Bone-Related Diseases – A few glasses of diluted lemon juice is the surest remedy for rheumatic fever, painful joints, lumbago and sciatica.  
Acne, Spots and Pimples – Applying raw lemon juice to the face is a popular remedy for acne and pimples.  
Hair – The external use of raw lemon juice makes hair shinier and stronger.
Low Vitality – People suffering from low vitality should have lemon and honey mixed water for an immediate cure.  
Radiation – As lemon juice is excellent at cleansing the blood and removing toxins, it is a great way of removing radiation from the body. If you have had Chemotherapy, regular lemon juice drinks can help to rid the body of any remaining radiation.

Naked bath demo for PETA on World water day

Hey people
Its been a while since I blogged, but what better cause to write about than this?!

The action was designed by PETA to show that the best way to save water, fight the worldwide water shortage and clean our consciences is to go vegan and vegetarian.

Myself and fellow Playboy model Victoria Eisserman stripped off at Trafalgar Square to highlight the fact it takes 50 baths of water to produce 1 steak.

Not only is the meat industry cruel, it wastes huge amounts of water and damages the planet”, “You can’t be a meat-eating environmentalist

It takes about 15,500 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef, compared with just 1,000 litres to produce 1 kilogram of wheat. A recent UN report found that the meat industry is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global”. Among these environmental problems are freshwater scarcity; the report calls the livestock industry “a key player in increasing water use” and “probably the largest sectoral source of water pollution”.

In addition, vegetarians and vegans are, on average, significantly trimmer than meat-eaters, and they are also less likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, strokes and diabetes. Billions of animals raised for food each year endure routine abuse on crowded, filthy factory farms, where they are subjected to painful mutilations and face terrifying deaths.




News coverage for World Water Day Demo:


Extensive Coverage:

http://www.flyernewspaper.com/2011/03/playboy-models-strip-off-for-peta/

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/03/nature-conservancy-us-water-sources/1

http://www.animal-free.net/peta/splish-splash-petas-takin-a-bath/

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/splish-splash-peta-s-takin-a-bath/follow_ups


http://www.vancouversun.com/Photos+photos+from+around+globe/2172184/story.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+canwest%2FF229+(Vancouver+Sun+-+News)

http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-charity-events-in-national/playboy-models-victoria-eisermann-and-monica-harris-support-world-water-day

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1369302/Peta-holds-naked-shower-protest-Hollywood-causes-car-crash.html

http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/world/86003-peta-holds-naked-shower-protest-in-hollywood-and-causes-car-crash.html


Pictures and small write ups:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/8400444/Pictures-of-the-day-23-March-2011.html?image=10

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/day_in_photos_march_V9YHjZg3kPoIzDQADMSNpL?photo_num=15

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Photo+Gallery+PETA+protest+World+Water/4490779/story.html

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/topics/people/elizabeth%20taylor/Gallery+Naked+protest+World+Water/4489208/story.html

http://www.2space.net/news/article/344558-1300802406/

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=app-7a8a314b-9ac5-4ce0-857f-b5c2947f14df&show_article=1

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/22/health-safety-hazards-trafalgar-square - A mention of yesterday’s demo, but only in the context of a more general article about Trafalgar Square

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/tag-in-bildern/tag-in-bildern,templateId=renderTagInBildern,picture=1.html – Germany’s biggest paper


http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/photo/0eZfdVK90M1al?q=London

http://www.avaxnews.com/funny/World_Water_Day_For_PETA.html

http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/editorial-cartoons/Photos+Naked+protest+World+Water/4491231/story.html

http://billionaires.forbes.com/photo/0fgW7QV5gt3QP?q=London

http://billionaires.forbes.com/photo/08BNadCaD75H2

http://www.timescolonist.com/Photos+images+from+around+globe/2172184/story.html

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/football/bc-lions/Kash+Heed+steps+down+solicitor+general+after+latest+revelations/2989662/Naked+protest+World+Water/4487052/story.html

http://www.daylife.com/photo/08BNadCaD75H2

http://newshopper.sulekha.com/victoria-eisermann-monica-harris_photo_1757023.htm

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Photos+images+from+around+globe/2172184/story.html

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://m.standaard.be/artikel.xhtml%3Fcontentid%3D1569625&ei=GOCJTezzHomwhAfaxLm0Dg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGcQ7gEwCThG&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtrafalgar%2Bsquare%2Bpeta%26start%3D70%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbo%3D1%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7DKUK_en%26tbs%3Dqdr:d%26prmd%3Divns

http://sec.floridatoday.com/photo/08BNadCaD75H2?q=London

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8550691-playmates-take-naked-bath-in-central-london

http://news.world.yes.my/photo/02lnd7Q1Hzbmd

http://www.zeenews.com/imagegallery1772.htm?pageNumber=3

http://dailybunker.com/peta-naked-shower-protest/

http://noticias.uol.com.br/album/110322peta_album.jhtm?abrefoto=1

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.donnamoderna.com/attualita/con-una-bistecca-puoi-fare-50-bagni/foto-4&ei=QeCJTeHnAYqAhAf8x7C7Dg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFoQ7gEwBzhQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtrafalgar%2Bsquare%2Bpeta%26start%3D80%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbo%3D1%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7DKUK_en%26tbs%3Dqdr:d%26prmd%3Divns


Newswires/ Photo Agencies:

http://www.eastnews.pl/pictures/subject/id/00957726/section/news/page/2/

http://www.eastnews.pl/pictures/subject/id/00957726/section/news/lang/en/

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=110507851&EditorialProduct=Entertainment#1

http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=490730&nbc1=1


http://apimages.ap.org/Search.aspx?st=det&sort=date&ids=Britain%20World%20Water%20Day&showact=events&prds=10002&intv=3d&sh=10&kwstyle=or&adte=1300809739&pagez=60&cfasstyle=AND&

Thinking of buying a Fur coat this Year? Then read this...

Britain is a nation of animal-lovers who don't want to see animals suffer needlessly- which is why millions of people every day give cruelty the cold shoulder by not buying fur, and we'd like to see even more people to know why it should be avoided.



The fur trade is a violent, bloody industry motivated purely by vanity. Every Year millions of animals are kept in appalling conditions in tiny, barren wire cages on fur farms or have had their legs crushed by traps set in the wild. Some mothers desperate to get back to their young end up chewing off their own leg. Our message is simple. Animals are not ours to wear.



The Fur Trade

* Every Year the fur industry traps, drowns, clubs, gasses, electrocutes and skins alive millions of animals - all in the name of greed and vanity.

* Day in, day out, life for animals on fur farms is hell. They spend their entire lives imprisoned in small bare mesh cages. Their natural instincts to roam are cruelly stiffled. The stress and deprivation caused by these conditions often leads to the animals performing unnatural repetitive behaviour and can lead to self mutilation
* In the wild, animals are caught in bone-crushing leg hold traps. Animals may suffer for days, slowly dying of hunger, thirst, disease, blood loss and predation. Trappers who find still-conscious victims in their traps kill the animals by beating, bludgeoning and/or drowning them

* Distressing footage from fur markets in China - Now the Worlds biggest fur producer - shows Cats, Dogs, Racoons, Foxes, Rabbits are stuffed into tiny cages, then skinned alive. Much of the fur now sold around the World, comes from China, where there is not a single law to protect animals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSSMBhK_F2k&feature=fvw

I am happy to bare my skin if it means an animal gets to keep theirs! Unfortunately we live in a sensationalist society and it can be difficult to get headlines to high light things going on in the World.



Most people would be horrified to know that every Year in China 2 million Dogs and Cats are killed for their fur - most of this is passed off as other animals and sold on as Mink, Rabbit fur etc



Questions



Its freezing outside, some people would argue that you need fur to keep you warm?

This is one of the most ludicrous arguments for wearing fur. When mountaineers climb Everest they don't do it in a fur coat! There are countless modern man made fibres, which are warmer, lighter and more weather proof than fur. With all of the chic, cruelty-free options available, there's no reason to wear an animal skin to keep you warm!



Fur is 'natural' and environmentally friendly?

Toxic chemicals are used to preserve and process the skins, and the waste from processing plants and fur farms poison rivers and streams. It also take 20 times more energy to process a coat made from animal fur as it does from a fake fur. And fur coats are NOT biodegradable - they contain chemicals to stop them rotting.



Isn't it a matter of choice?

Its the 21st Century, people can be cruel or kind . With so many fashionable alternatives to leather and fur, there is no excuse for wearing animal skins



What about vintage fur?

Its doesn't matter if an animal died yesterday for a fur or 50 Years ago, its all a result of cruelty.

When you wear a vintage fur, people see you in the street it sends out a message that wearing fur is acceptable! It desensitises people to seeing it and sends out a message that fur it fashionable and ok to wear. People do not know when they walk past you in the street if you are wearing a fur coat which is vintage or bought recently.



Is Fur back?

We've been hearing cries of "Fur is back" by the fur industry's PR machine every Year as people get paid off to let it be worn on the catwalk, but public opinion shows that the majority of the people in this Country are opposed to fur. The top fashions stores reflect this with everyone from Harvey Nichols to Selfridges, to Topshop who have fur-free policies.



The fashion industry and fur

There is nothing glamourous about killing animals for their fur. The fur trade is a violent, bloody industry. trapping, beating, drowning and ripping an animals' skin from their backs for vanity is absolutely indefensible. Animal cruelty is never in fashion.



The true talented visionaries , like Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Bouwer are able to design beautiful, fashionable and popular clothing without getting blood on their hands. They are able to attract a young hip crowd without cruelty.



Why is fur worse than eating meat?

We have publicised many ways to help animals, and forgoing fur is one of the easiest! Those who cite other cruelties in the World as an excuse to wear fur are simply copping out. The Fur industry is particularly horrific.

We want people to avoid real fur this Winter and wrap up warm in something that isn't the result of unimaginable cruelty. We want an end to the fur industry for good.

We will continue to campaign and to publicly draw attention to this issue in new and creative ways until people no longer wear fur and stores stop stocking it!



What people can do to help

The best and easiest thing people can do to help animals is not to wear them. Please don't buy fur!! And also to inform friends and family of what goes on.

To learn more visit www.PETA.org.uk



Success!

Sorry I've not been and updated in a while, the lead up to the fight and final organising was crazy!
I had lots of new updates to make to the Models Fight Night website, press articles to sort out, filming to organise for the dvd extra's and planning what they were going to do for the night and also Rubie Planson and Tara McDonald were performing so need to sort that out too on top of training. Then, the unthinkable happened! While I was training, only 1 week before the fight, I damaged my Rotator Cuff on my left shoulder.

At first, I didn't think anything of it, I'd never even heard of a rotator cuff before then lol. The pain was awful and everytime I tried to straighten my left arm out in front of me, or bend the elbow (like when you punch using a hook) I was in agony. I was advised to put ice on and then next day I got some anti inflammatory's from my doctor.

I began physio on the Sat and then realised what I'd done. Rob, my physio said if it was a professional fight I wouldn't be allowed to fight because I was at a massive unfair disadvantage! Not only was I fighting someone who was 10kg heavier and a 2'' longer reach but now I couldn't use my best weapon, my jab! I was so depressed.

I couldn't do any training but had to try to move my arm so the muscle didn't seize up. The last group training session I went to but couldn't do anything and had to practice a Southpaw stance in case I needed to switch during the fight if I was in too much pain.

There was no way I wasn't fighting, no matter how much it hurt. I hadn't worked on this idea for over a Year, trained for 9 Months and not worked for the last 3 Months to train solid to miss out. Even if it meant the odds were stacked against me winning, I wasn't going to loose.

I am a big believe in visualisation, and I keep imagining the fight, seeing me winning over and over.

In the week leading up to the fight, I was surprised I still wasn't nervous. I put it down to being distracted by organising peoples tickets and where my guests were sitting and final things for the fight night like sorting out the girls tops and getting my boots to fight in.

On the day of the fight, I woke up feeling like it was Christmas! I know! weird, all the girls were texting me about how nervous they were but I felt so excited. I'd waiting for this night since I decided to do it and now it was finally here and I couldn't wait!

My friends started to arrive and couldn't believe how calm I was. Although in the back of my mind, was my injury. I keep visualising it being ok and ignored the pain.

I arrived at The Troxy, sorted the Ring Girls outfits out. They looked wicked and all burlesque in Red and Blue basques. Then organised the promo girls and told them what they needed to do. After that I spoke to Tara and Rubie and gave them everything they needed and went and got changed!

The atmosphere was great and the place was busy with people sitting down to eat the fantastic dinner at their tables.
The first auction took place and the items were amazing! I wanted to bid myself at some points!

Then, the first fight kicked off. My heart was racing with excitement! I was fighting last and couldn't wait. I snacked on protein bars and drank 2ls of water to prepare my body and muscles.

At the interval I went upstairs and had my medical done. My heart rate was a bit fast because I was so excited and had been running round the place saying hello to everyone. I decided to just go and chill out and visualise the fight. While the other girls were warming up, doing pad work, I decided to save my energy and my shoulder in case it went during the fight. I was supposed to have a different head guard because one was too big and the other too clumpy and restrictive on your view but was told a few hours before it hadn't been gotten for me! I resigned myself to have to wear a head guard which wasn't right for me. Nightmare! I didn't visualise that lol!

Before long it was my turn :) Hannah and I decided as our fight was last we would make a bit of a show with our entrance! I have to say it was the best feeling in the World!!! I just wanted to fight, I was so pumped up but my mind was as calm as an ocean. I felt relaxed. I got into the ring and thought to myself, control, breathing and relax.


To know what happened in the fight you will need to get the DVD but what I will say is my shoulder was killing me throughout the fight with every jab, but I had to keep going. There was no way I was loosing. And it paid off

I won :) I felt it was easy and could have easily boxed on. I kept my cool, kept breathing and breezed it.
Steve Collins then announced Hannah and I had won best fight of the night! I couldn't believe it, I was so happy! I felt like I'd won the lottery! The feeling I had that night I can't put into words. Winning my fight then winning best fight. Mint!
I loved the night so much, the crowd were going wild through all the fights and everyone was loving it!

Thank you to Gary for training us so well! and also co organising the event. Thank you to all the girls for training so hard and putting all the effort into. Thanks to everyone who came to support me and the other girls. We couldn't have done it without you!

I will let you know when the DVD is available. I have big plans for next Years so watch this space!

Monica x