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This recipe serves up a refreshing new twist on chicken. Delicious veggies and chunks of tender chicken are coated in a savory sauce, and served over wild rice. It works great as a weekday meal, since it only takes about 20 minutes to make.
Servings: 6

Here’s what you need…

• 2 cups wild rice, cooked
• 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 sweet potato, halved and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mushroom, sliced
• 1 Tablespoon ginger root, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons mirin (rice cooking wine)
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 cups green beans, chopped
• 4 cups chicken breast, cooked and cubed

1. In a large saucepan place the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the sweet potato, onion, mushroom, ginger and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
2. In a small bowl combine the mirin, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, cornstarch and red pepper. Set aside.
3. Add the green beans and chicken into the pan and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Pour the soy sauce mixture in and mix until fully incorporated. Cook for another 3 minutes.
4. Serve over wild rice.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 299 calories, 8g fat, 23g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 33g protein.

This stew is perfect for a cold winter day. It is packed with antioxidant-rich vegetables and fragrant spices. Serve this stew over a scoop of cooked quinoa or whole grain brown rice. Yield: 6 servings

Here’s what you need:

• 1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons water or vegetable stock, divided
• 1 large size yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 large size red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar or pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon grated or minced fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron
• 2 medium size sweet potatoes or garnet or jewel yams, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 can (15oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat 3 tablespoons water in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, peppers and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes. If the water begins to evaporate, add a little more.
2. Stir in the agave nectar, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, ginger and saffron and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat. Stir in tomatoes, remaining 1 1/2 cups water and chickpeas. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then serve over quinoa or brown rice.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 141 calories, 1g fat, 29g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 6g protein.

How would you like to improve the look of your stomach in a matter of seconds? Simple. Don’t slouch. When you slouch, with shoulders rounded forward, your stomach pooches out. Instead, push your shoulders back, chest up, and pull your abdominals in. And just like that you look slimmer, and by keeping your abs pulled in you are strengthening your core.

The New Year is still young, and if you’ve decided to make this your year for losing the weight and tightening your abs, you’re in luck.

Getting a flat midsection really boils down to two things: 1) Getting rid of the fatty layer that is covering your abdominal muscles; and 2) Tightening and toning your abdominal muscles.

The following 7 Tight Abs Tips are your Fast-Track ticket to getting a flat, attractive midsection this year.

Tight Abs Tip #1: Perform challenging strength training abdominal exercises at least three times each week. Your abs are like any other muscle in your body—they need to be consistently challenged in order to become stronger and tighter.

Tight Abs Tip #2: Stop eating junk. Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do NOT belong in your diet if, especially if you want tight abs. Cutting these items from your diet will allow your body to maintain stable blood sugar levels, alleviating your body’s need to store excess sugar away in fat cells.

The fat stores created by excess sugar intake most often accumulate around your waist, covering up your abdominal muscles. Cut these items from your diet and replace them with real whole foods such as lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits.

Tight Abs Tip #3: Stop doing long and slow cardio workouts. Instead, use HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) for your cardio workouts. HIIT training uses intense bursts of cardio peppered throughout your workout. This is a sure-fire way to rev up your metabolism and to get your fat stores to shrink.

Tight Abs Tip #4: Use resistance with your abdominal exercises. Crunches are great, but your body quickly becomes accustomed to the motion, rendering it less effective. Hold a medicine ball or dumbbell at your chest as you perform your crunches—this will force your abs to work harder, and will achieve better results.

Tight Abs Tip #5: Don’t be fooled. The market is flooded with ‘lose weight’ products and products that claim to flatten your stomach. Never waste your time or money on:

1. So-called packaged health food that comes with weight loss claims. If it’s processed in a package with a bunch of chemical additives then it will not help you achieve flat abs.
2. Abdominal exercise gimmicks as sold on late night infomercials – all you really need is your own body weight, an exercise ball and dumbbells or a medicine ball.
3. So-called weight loss supplements. The magic pill for flat abs doesn’t exist, so you’d be wasting your health and money on a bogus product.

Tight Abs Tip #6: Target your lower abs. It’s easy to neglect the lower abs, but they are an important part of the equation. Incorporate the V-Up into your exercise routine:

Tight Abs Tips #7: Challenge your core often. Don’t limit your abdominal exercise to the gym, incorporate core strengthening during daily life and throughout each workout. A strong core is the foundation for flat, tight abs.

There you have it! Seven tips that, when diligently applied, will help you shed the fat and tighten your abs.

But, keep in mind that your results will be seriously hindered if you do the same exercise routine over and over. Your abs need a progressive challenge in order to transform. This means new exercises, different resistance and increased challenge.

Call or email today to get started on a program that will challenge you, motivate you and transform your body.

Availability is limited — act now and achieve a slimmer you once and for all this year.

This simple recipe is the perfect meal for a chilly winter day. It is packed with tender vegetables, filled with protein and can be made with chicken or as a vegetarian dish. Serve it with a salad for a quick and healthy meal that the whole family will love.
Yield: 6 servings

Here’s what you need…

• 2 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed (or 1 package firm tofu, drained and cubed)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 can lowfat chili

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine all of the vegetables and chicken. Drizzle the olive oil and mix to coat. Add the thyme, salt and garlic powder.
3. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet, and cover well with foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
4. Remove the foil and turn on the broiler. Broil until the vegetables are nicely browned, about 8 minutes.
5. Top each serving with a scoop of warmed chili.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 230 calories, 4g fat, 28g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 20g protein.

While the red and green speckles give this homemade hummus a jolly look, it’s the taste that makes it unforgettable. This dip makes the perfect party take-along. Serve it up with whole grain pita bread or fresh cut veggie sticks. Yield: 12 servings

Here’s what you need:

• 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans
• 1 Tablespoons tahini
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 2 garlic cloves, mashed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup basil leaves

1. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and combine until smooth.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 55 calories, 2g fat, 6g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 2g protein.

Remember that kid in school who scored so well on tests that everyone got a little suspicious?

Then one day during a big exam - BAM - the teacher pulled a cheat-sheet out of the kid’s pocket. It was game over for that kid and the rest of the class was able to breathe a little easier knowing that those perfect scores weren’t real.

A cheat-sheet gives you an unfair advantage – it supplies you with what you need to get ahead.

How would you like a cheat-sheet for getting through holiday parties without putting on a single pound?

What if this cheat-sheet could also help you lose a few pounds before New Year’s?

You’re in luck, because below I have outlined the 5 shortcuts you need to avoid gaining holiday party pounds.

Short Cut #1: Eat a sensible meal before the party.
You should always arrive at parties with a full stomach. I realize that this goes against the popular trend of starving yourself before a party, and that’s exactly why most people gain weight. Since your stomach will be full, you’ll have the clarity to pick and choose the treats that you really want, rather than stuffing yourself with everything in sight.

Short Cut #2: Bring a healthy dish to share.
Don’t worry if the party that you’re going to isn’t a potluck - the hostess will love you for being so thoughtful, and you’ll have a healthy option to enjoy.

The Festive Hummus recipe below is perfect to bring to parties.

Short Cut #3: Never drink calories.
Do you realize how quickly calories add up when you’re slurping them out of a cup? Alcoholic beverages and sweet holiday drinks are simply packed with calories. These calories don’t take up much room in your stomach so you’re left wide open for even more calories.

Your best strategy is to avoid these beverages altogether, and stick with water. Aim to drink 2-3 glasses of water at the party.

Short Cut #4: Fill your plate, but only once.
I’m certainly not going to tell you that you shouldn’t eat anything at the party. By all means, go and fill up your plate. But only once.

That’s right, you heard me. No going back for seconds. Since you’ve already eaten a sensible meal before arriving, this rule is going to be easier to keep than you think.

Short Cut #5: Taste dessert, just a taste.
The holidays are all about sweet treats, so go ahead and partake. But just a taste. Look at desserts as something to savor, not something to fill up on.

And since you ate a sensible meal before you came, then you filled up your dinner plate once you’re probably going to be pretty full at this point anyway.

That’s it - all you need to know to not gain a single pound at holiday parties.

But what about the rest of the year?

Wouldn’t you love to make 2010 the year that you transform your body?

Wouldn’t it feel great to throw out all of your fat clothes? To look forward to bathing suit season? To be given a clean bill of health from your doctor? And to be showered with compliments by family, friends and that special someone?

It’s all more possible than you think.

But you’ll need to take massive action.

My programs are designed to quickly and efficiently get you into the best shape of your life.

Call or email now to schedule your first body transforming workout.

Go on, do it now and secure your spot before the New Year’s rush.

Stop drowning your tuna in mayo, instead try this light recipe. Fresh carrot, tomato and lettuce combined with a touch of red wine vinegar, give this tuna pocket a burst of refreshing flavor. Use an herb salad mix for an even better flavor.
Yield: 2 servings

Here’s what you need…

• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
• 5oz can white albacore tuna, in water
• 1 cup mixed lettuce
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• Dash of pepper
• 2 whole wheat tortillas

1. In a medium bowl mix together the tomato, carrot and tuna. Add the lettuce and drizzle with vinegar. Mix well and add dash of pepper.
2. Serve half of the tuna mixture in each tortilla.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 188 calories, 3g fat, 16g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, and 23g protein.

It’s that time of year again. Coffee shops everywhere have begun to peddle their holiday beverages. With names as enticing as peppermint, gingerbread, pumpkin pie, and eggnog, it’s no wonder that these drinks are top sellers. However, don’t be fooled. If it smells like a dessert, tastes like a dessert and is named after a dessert…it’s a dessert. It just happens to come in a cup.

Most holiday beverages contain close to 500 calories and may contain as much as 29 grams of fat.

Limit your intake of holiday dessert drinks and avoid extra weight gain this holiday season.

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