Anne Samoilov

As many of you know, every week I send my email newsletter The Quick Byte to my clients, friends and readers.  Even when people aren’t coming to classes regularly or seeing me for private sessions, I want to help everyone that crosses my path be a little more mindful of their health.  I’m not perfect by any means — and I do have my down moments, but by encouraging others, I’m able to get back on track quickly.

So, each issue I send out aims to provide a clear push to anyone just getting started with a fitness program or staying consistent with one!

Recent issues have included the following articles you might have missed:

>Turning New Year’s Resolutions into Intentions
>27 Fitness & Fat Loss Tips
>Clean Eating Comfort Food Recipes
>Top 7 Tight Abs Tips
>5 Stupid Things Healthy People Do
>The Butt & Gutt workout

Don’t miss another issue packed with specific tips and strategies to start living healthier now.

This week’s issue is going to focus on setting up a small home workout space…no don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest you go out and buy a treadmill or pull up bar…Everyone should and can have a relaxing space to stretch, workout and maybe do a little pilates. Let me show you what you need – without turning your house into a Gold’s Gym.

If you want a plan to get in shape and keep you in shape every single week, sign up for instant access!

Technorati Tags: fitness newsletter, get fit tips, healthy living

I realized that I forgot to follow up on my Kitchen Cleanse SEVERAL WEEKS ago. Well, I just did another mini-cleanse, so here are some pics of the fridge…

You’ll see some things still in there that aren’t on a clean eating food list…  I can’t make everyone in my house be on my quest, so I’ll need to be a bit stronger, avoid using the condiments that I don’t need and the snacks that don’t fit into my clean eating plan.
Ok…so that’s the kitchen…

Next up: Defining my intentions…

Start seeing a difference today…by understanding and accepting this simple reality…

You need to eat a diet of whole, clean, healthy foods with little to no refined sugar and white flour in order to transform your body.

You’ve all heard and read the same books, websites, magazine articles…preaching how to lose weight and get shape.  Eat well, exercise more.  Ok, that’s great, yes we know.  So, then if all of us pretty much know what to do to get in shape, why is it such a struggle? What’s holding us back from achieving our best health and best bodies?  How do we get started without feeling overwhelmed and then quitting…day 2 of our quest?

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again.  Changing the way you eat is to me the single most important element to changing your body (and your brain).  I can tell you from personal experience that each time I consumed the yummy sugary treats this holiday season, I could actually feel a brain fog coming on.  My moods were so up and down.  I even had a few headaches.  It’s no coincidence that my sugar eating was up too.

So, today, I’m starting a weekend long (hopefully not all weekend) kitchen cleanse.  Everything…I mean everything that isn’t on my clean eating list is going to be int he garbage.  I’ve already told our guests that they need to take the food with them or it’s getting tossed.  Hopefully, by Saturday afternoon, everything will be cleansed and ready for proper restocking.

I already have my plan…but what if you have been eating haphazardly for awhile now…

Where do you start?

THE SAME EXACT PLACE.

When I started Valerie Waters’ Red Carpet Ready program in 2009, one of the first things she advised was to do a kitchen cleanse.  I still do a kitchen cleans every few months–doing them every month is probably better because things find a way of creeping in to the cabinets and fridge, even if you are really trying to be good.  I mean, come on we’re human, right?

Here’s a quick guide to getting your kitchen cleansed and ready for some real clean, healthy food:

Freezer/Fridge:
Get Rid Of…
Packaged frozen foods and desserts – I’m not talking fruit and veggies, get rid of the prepared meals.
Old Food in tupperware
Veggies that have gone bad
Go through your condiments and get rid of the ones that have sugar listed in the ingredients.  I know I know…that means ketchup.  If you can control yourself…just keep it for now, but try to avoid the heavy salad dressings and other mayo based stuff.

Cupboards
Get Rid Of:
Crackers, chips, white sugar, breakfast cereals
anything that is package, pre-made or otherwise processed.

Next…Replenish with healthy, clean, whole foods.

Check out these sites for some great tools and resources to get your kitchen in shape–including shopping list ideas to make sure you restock your home with the right food.

Eat Clean Diet Tools & Support

Valerie Waters – nutrition rules

Eat Clean Magazine – Shoppping List

*Also, consider picking up one of the Eat Clean Diet books — lots of great recipes and ideas to get you started.
Send me before and after pics of your Kitchen Cleanse! I’d love to see what you discover and what you can get rid of!

Depending on how big of a cleanse your kitchen needs, you’ll also have plenty of time to think about all the intentions you have for your new healthier lifestyle.  Next up, I will give you my tips for how to set these intentions (sometimes called goals, too) and show off my CLEANSED KITCHEN!

I just finished a great Fat Burning workout from Valerie Waters and am definitely feeling like an Action Hero Babe!

Next up, I’m getting ready to head out to the grocery store.  The plan is to pick up my thanksgiving ingredients today in the morning before the mad rush hits later this afternoon!

I promised I’d share with you my Clean Eating Thanksgiving Menu — so here goes…

Keep in mind that I’m only cooking for myself, my husband and my daughter…this seems like a lot of food but the amount I cook will be a little less, so we don’t waste too much but still have enough left for yummy leftovers.

I took most of my recipes and inspiration from The Healthy Irishman and Live Well 360 websites.  I have cooked many of their recipes and am always happy with the results!

Turkey – Doing a Stuffed Turkey breast from The Healthy Irishman

Not sure yet whether I’m doing the Rice & Herb stuffed or the Persimmons/Couscous stuffed…

Basic Stuffing – My husband wants me to just make good ole stove top, so I’ll have to oblige!

Mashed Potatoes – They aren’t a huge trigger for me, but my hubby wants these.  Again, I won’t go overboard, but I do enjoy me some mash taters sometimes.

Green Beans/Almonds – very basic and fresh!

Home-made Cranberry Sauce – also a recipe from The Healthy Irishman and featured on Red Carpet Ready TV a few days ago.

>>doing one other veggie dish – but it’s gonna be a russian one – so maybe a beet salad.

Dessert will be:
Pumpkin Cheesecake from Live Well 360.

Check back for pics of my dinner and a few after dinner surprises!

Technorati Tags: clean eating, healthy diet, recipes

Ok, I need your help on TWO THINGS for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

FIRST, I am determined to make a really healthy but yummy Thanksgiving dinner with some unique dishes and of course the yummy turkey this year. Our daughter can enjoy the food now (to some extent) and it would be a great challenge to put together a menu that satisfies the whole family.

I want to hear from you! What are your favorite traditional Thanksgiving recipes and how did you alter them to be just a little bit more healthy? If you are stuck for ideas, click on the cover of this month’s issue of Clean Eating magazine.

I’m starting my own list right now, so in a few days I’ll reveal my Clean Eating Thanksgiving Menu…and oh yes, it will definitely include dessert. No one stands in the way of me and pumpkin pie. I’ve got a great recipe up my sleeve for that one.

SECOND, I’m planning a weekend of activity to keep everyone in my household active and out of the usual food coma. Some ideas coming to mind are a hike, maybe a nice walk on the beach. maybe a little frisbee, and some pilates for me! What are you planning to do to keep yourself moving, motivated, and energetic. I know it’s tempting to veg out on your days off, but think about it. What activities can you and your family & friends do?

Email me your ideas and leave your comments below. I’ll post some of the responses in a few days.

Have a great week!

Technorati Tags: healthy diet, healthy holidays, healthy thanksgiving