Wedding Diet Begins...after the holidays

Good Day Readers!

I first wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I have been baking so much lately, and I feel enjoying a bit to much of my sweet creations. I have been eating at restaurants and eating dessert more than I would like to. I decide that after the holidays, (it would be nearly impossible for me because I will be baking until New Year's Eve *gasp*). Instead of calling it a diet, how about healthy eating plan, or a nutritious plan! A diet sounds too impersonal and grueling. Diets also are temporary eating plans.

With all the work I have been doing (grad school prep, wedding, internships, work, etc.) it has been tough to stick to a health eating and exercise routine. During the summers, I am very good with that. I am always active during that time, which keeps me in shape. Also I do not bake as often during the summers; I am usually grilling or cooking and preparing wraps, fruit salads and small plates. Below includes a personalized plan I developed to help me maintain a healthy lifestyle, just in time for my wedding. It is not just about preparing for the wedding, rather it is something I would like to stick to.

My personal goals:

• limit dessert to small portions twice a week
• elminate sweet drinks (sweet teas)
• have water when on the go
• do NOT order dessert out
• exercise 3-4 days a week (Taebo, running, fast walking with weights)
• yoga/pilates 2 days a week
• have plenty of fruit and vegetables in the house
• limit cheese intake (I LOVE cheese)
• no pastries (donuts, muffins)

I would say dessert is my main satisfaction. If I did not eat dessert ever, I would be super skinny!

Cinch! Book Review



Cinch! Book cover

 Want to lose weight after the holiday season indulgence? Cinch! is a 30-day weight loss program that you might be really interested in trying. Cinch! was created by Cynthia Sass, the creator and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling Flat Belly Diet. Cinch! will help you stop overeating, increase metabolism, and burn fat!

The program begins with the 5-Day Fast Forward, which includes eating simple foods that will assist you in detoxing from the not-so-healthy food you have been eating. This phase could help you lose up to 8 pounds in the first week! The remaining 25 days consists of eating high-protein foods that will help boost your metabolism and burn fat.

I will be using Cinch! to help me maintain a healthy weight and boost my weight loss and healthy eating routine. I received the book from One2One Network. Read more about Cinch! and order you own copy here. It will be on sale December 28. Be sure to follow Cynthia Sass on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Winning Recipes of 'The Biggest Loser'

Grilled Prawn Salad with Tomatoes and Avocado Aioli

Ingredients
8 large fresh prawns, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon crushed garlic
4 slices (2 ounces) lean turkey bacon
4 cups mixed salad greens
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced lengthwise

Avocado aioli

1 medium very ripe avocado
1⁄3 cup plain, fat-free Greek-style yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped basil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
1. For avocado aioli: Combine the avocado, yogurt, basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor and process until just smooth. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator.

2. For salad: Season the prawns with the oil and garlic. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3. Heat a grill or nonstick skillet to medium high. Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on a paper towel.

4. Grill or sauté the prawns for about 1 minute on each side, until pink. Drain on a paper towel until cool enough to handle and cut in half lengthwise.

5. Layer the greens with the prawns, bacon, and sliced tomatoes. Top each salad with a 2-tablespoon dollop of avocado aioli.

 
Mexican Turkey Burgers

Makes 6 burgers

Per serving (burger only): 120 calories, 23 g protein, 1 g carbohydrates, (0 g sugars), 2 g fat (1 g saturated), 40 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 30 mg sodium

Ingredients
1 (20-ounce) package extra lean ground turkey breast
1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
1⁄4 cup diced red onion
1⁄4 cup diced red bell pepper
1⁄3 cup diced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon Mexican seasoning or fajita seasoning
1⁄4 cup low-fat Mexican-blend cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
6 whole grain buns or Arnold Sandwich Thins
6 tablespoons salsa
1 1⁄2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
6 tablespoons fat-free Greekstyle yogurt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, cilantro, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, seasoning, cheese, and garlic. There will about 24 ounces (11/2 pounds) of mixture, or 4 cups. Divide into 6 (4-ounce) patties.

2. Grill the burgers for 3 minutes on each side, or until the inside is no longer pink. Serve on whole grain buns or Sandwich Thins topped with salsa, avocado, and yogurt (instead of sour cream).

 
Berry-licious Oatmeal
Makes 1 serving

Per serving: 220 calories, 7 g protein, 39 g carbohydrates (8 g sugars), 4 g fat (0 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 7 g fiber, 50 mg sodium

Ingredients

1 cup cooked steel-cut oats
2 tablespoons fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons fresh or frozen raspberries
1⁄2 cup sliced strawberries
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄4 cup Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 packet sugar in the raw

Directions

1. Combine the oats, berries, vanilla, almond milk, and sugar in a cereal bowl and stir well. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes and serve.


Fire-roasted tomato soup

Makes 4 servings

Per serving: 60 calories, 2 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates (5 g sugars), 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 360 mg sodium

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons minced shallot or onion
4 quarter-size slices peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
11⁄2 cups (141⁄2-ounce can) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 cup fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
1⁄2 cup 1% or fat-free milk
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or scallion

Directions

1. In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the shallot or onion and ginger and cook until softened, about 1 minute.

2. Add the garlic and tomatoes to the saucepan. Simmer for about 4 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the broth and milk and just bring to a boil.

3. Carefully transfer the soup to a food processor or blender. Process or blend until smooth. Return to the saucepan and serve immediately.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the chives or scallion.