Slim and Strong

How Do You Survive Without Bread for a Month?

2012-01-29T12:11:00.000-05:00

I ended the Detox Challenge realizing that my bread eating habits got in the way of me feeling good. I decided to challenge myself to a month without it. It was a big part of my diet during detox, but not because it was part of the plan. I simply grabbed it as an easy snack with avocado on it or with my morning scrambled eggs, or just because I wanted something warm. Toasted bread with peanut butter sometimes saves the day - until it gives me a stomach ache. So, realizing that bread doesn't do me any good and knowing I can do better, I am taking up this challenge. Grains don't suit my metabolic type. They give me stomach pain and make me gain weight fast. They also make me feel sluggish, so what's the point.

The biggest challenge is my breakfast. My standard breakfast is an egg sandwich - 3 eggs on 2 slices of whole grain bread. It keeps me full for a while and I can eat it while walking to my morning clients. As an alternative I can eat omelets but it's a bit more challenging to walk the streets of New York holding a plate, fork, a bag and my cup of coffee while chowing down an omelette. Let's face it. Bread is convenient. You can get a sandwich at any corner. You are presented with the dreaded bread basket at any restaurant. It's considered the basic food of life. It's everywhere and part of our daily diet. Giving it up is not an easy feat for me, but I know I can do this. Enter my boyfriend. He has been eliminating bread for about two weeks because it made him congested. Without it he feels much better.

After sharing with him my goal for the month, this morning I was presented with a lovely breakfast option to replace bread. The Brits have a dish called "Bubble and Squeak". It's a dish that combines the leftover veggies from a roast with mashed potatoes. It's formed into a burger or patty of sorts, then pan-fried until golden brown. Let me tell you, the Brits are on to something..

If you make this at home, I suggest you go easy on the potatoes because they are, after all, high in starch. Use only as much mashed potato you need to hold the veggies together - you'll keep your starch intake low. The three sunny-side up eggs provided about 20 grams of protein. And, there was also a side of roasted brussels sprouts with a few bits of bacon. So, all in all, the meal consisted of about 35 grams of carbs and 22 grams of protein.

You can use any veggie you like. The Brits typically use brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and peas. The cold chopped veggies are fried in a pan with the mashed potatoes formed into patties until golden brown. Some people add lamb or beef to the mix to add protein. I prefer to eat my eggs with it and just have one patty because it's just enough carbohydrates to feel full but not to get a mega overdose on carbs that will put your body into fat storage mode.

Why is it called "Bubble and Squeak"? Well, try it and you'll hear that the sounds the cakes make are living up to their name.

Note that they're all pretty high in carbs. Stick to one cake and add your protein on the side to balance your blood sugar. You might also want to replace butter and margarine with olive oil to keep it artery friendly.

Here are a few interesting variations:

Vegan Bubble and Squeak
The Classic British Version with bacon and cabbage
Gordon Ramsey's Real British Version

Can You Lose 9 lbs in a 4 Weeks? You Bet!

2012-01-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

The January Slim & Strong session ended on Friday. I was beyond excited to see such a committed bunch of people and the results and pictures speak for themselves:

The biggest loser is Meghana!

Weight loss: 3.6 lbs

Body fat loss: 5%

3.2% of her original weight lost

2.75 lbs of muscle gained

6.4 lbs of pure fat lost

Congrats to your $200 shopping spree!

The second prize of 10 boot camp sessions goes to two women who were head to head: Monica and Emily!

Monica signed up for January after taking December off and wanting her pre-holiday body back. Here's what amazing changes she achieved (and wait until you see the pictures!)

Before

After

Weight loss: 7.4 lbs

Body fat loss: 4.4%

5.7 % of her original weight lost

.1 lbs of muscle lost

7.3 lbs of pure fat lost

She had signed up her husband for the Detox challenge, which he won, and she made the most of their detox time together by bringing home the second prize. What an amazing team you two are!

The other second prize goes to Emily. This was Emily's first month and she made an amazing start:

Weight loss: 9.2 lbs

Body fat loss: 3%

5.2% of her original weight lost

1.4 lbs of muscle lost (it happens initially but this is a negligible amount and normal)

7.8 lbs of pure fat lost

The third prize goes to Liz for putting on 32. lbs of muscle!

January Detox Challenge Winners: You Won't Believe the Changes!

2012-01-27T21:36:00.001-05:00

The Detox Challenge ended on Tuesday and after 21 days the participants came back to complete their 'after' measurements. They stepped on the scale to determine weight loss and body fat percentage changes to see how much muscle they gained and how much fat they lost. These are the measures we used to determine the biggest loser. So, here it goes:

Dennis takes home the first Prize of $500 cash. He lost 5.4 lbs, 4.2% body fat, 3.7% of his original weight and gained 1.8 lbs of muscle.

before

after

Carolina takes home the second prize (a roundtrip airline ticket with Southwest Airlines, good for the next 6 months). She lost 11.8 lbs, 6.8% of her original weight and .8% body fat.

before

after

before

after

The 3rd prize of 20 boot camp sessions (good for one year) goes to three people who nailed it: Katie, Janelle and Susanne.

Katie dropped 8.8 lbs or 5.4% of her original weight and .7% body fat.

Susanne lost 4.6lbs, 3.2% body fat and 3.3% of her original weight.

Janelle dropped 10.2 lbs, 5.3% of her original weight and .9% body fat.

Of course these numbers are great to see, but the changes go far beyond what you can see on the scale. I received some wonderful emails that I'd like to share with you because they tell you all you need to know about the entire experience:

Hi Ariane,

I am very very happy about my results and obviously about getting 3rd prize. The classes are worth a lot to me!!! Thank You.

I am so happy I decided to sign up for the Detox. A few of my friends thought I was silly... I was already skinny they said and what they thought was healthy. I knew that I was not even near where I used to be I had been in a dark cloud for pretty much all of the fall season, fell into bad habits of eating way too much sugar, hitting McDonald’s (for the fries and shake) on my way home from classes at night, with no exercise I knew I was on a bad path. The Detox challenge helped me get on track and feel responsible for taking care of me and my life again. With eating healthy and working out now 3 weeks later I have no cravings, clear skin, (fitting into my favorite black jeans is nice too) and back on a clean diet and working out, I feel like I can conquer the world again!!!

Thank You!!! – S.

As Ariane can probably attest, I have my wife Monica, to thank for this joint win. Her spirit, her efforts in dicing veggie snacks for me, practicing detox herself was my secret for winning.

My goal was to execute your DVD as well as my wife did. Can’t wait for the next DVD and your iPhone app.

Best, D.

Hi,

I just saw the great news. Dennis is super happy...whenever he saw a

chocolate on the pantry (yes, I did not empty the pantry,) he kept on

thinking of all the things he was going to get with his price, and

imaging that a piece of broccoli was just like dessert.

Thank you for putting together such a great program. It has been very

good for our family. My kids have a new appreciation for

vegetables, and they consider salami or hummus with carrots a dessert.

We all now have a lot of energy.

See you tomorrow! Monica (D's wife)

Hi Ariane,

I just had to write and thank you for the Detox experience. I didn't really want to sign up at first, but realized that I needed a change and figured I would give it a try. I assumed I would loose some weight during the 21 days, but as to the other changes you told us to expect I was skeptical. I had heard before how much better one can feel when eating right but had never really experienced it myself, no matter what I tried in the past. What you didn't tell us, and what I wouldn't have believed anyway, was that it would change my life. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it's the only way I can describe what happened.

In addition to weight loss I sleep much better, have more energy, have significantly lower blood pressure, am in a good mood all the time, have made a significant future career decision and have a whole new outlook on life. I used to have to drag myself out of bed at 7:30 and now I bounce out of it at 6 to go to the gym before work, truly a miracle in itself. I also take better care of myself in other ways, such as moisturize more, floss more, take vitamins and supplements etc. My finances are better, I keep my apartment neater, the kitchen cleaner, have fixed broken things and mended clothes that have been needing it for a long time, and organize various areas of my apartment any chance I get. All in all there's just such a wonderful feeling of enjoyment with life and excitement for what the future will hold, all from eating right for just three weeks!

Maybe the biggest surprise of all was how easy it really was. Sure it took a lot of planning and prepping of food, but I really had very few cravings and still don't. Several friends and family members have become so inspired by the change they've seen in me that they too are trying to eat clean. I tell them all to start with your program as it really was excellent in both educating us and keeping us motivated throughout. I will really miss your daily emails!

I can't remember ever feeling this great, and have no plans of letting it go. Wednesday's celebratory happy hour did include drinks but when it came time to order food I opted for mussels and didn't touch the bread that came with them nor any of my friends' pizza, dips or fries. Every time I make a decision like that I feel better and better about myself. As I know I do better with goals and accountability I plan on writing you an email in a month with an update on where I stand with regards to weight and body fat %, that should keep me on the straight and narrow :)

Again, thank you so much for such an excellent experience!

Hi Ariane –

I can’t wait for my 20 free indoor classes! What an awesome reward.

I’m so psyched about having completed Detox!!! I lost a full 10 pounds, and feel great about it! People have already noticed the weight loss and commented on it. Most of those pounds came off my middle (as you noticed), which defined my figure a lot more and make me appear a lot slimmer. I’m fitting into all of my clothes again, and loving the way I feel. (I am a little worried, though, because two pair of my favorite pants are loose --- I can’t afford to shop for new clothes! I suppose that’s a pretty good problem to have, though…)

I’m not even tempted buy junk food right now. I know I can start introducing cheats, but I just have no desire. That is SO not what I expected. In the first week I was struggling, and looking forward to the end when I could eat whatever I want again. But my body feels so good, and that kind of food – chips, crackers, sugar, etc. – just doesn’t appeal to me. I tried a chocolate covered raisin two nights ago, and it tasted gross to me – WAY too sweet. I am enjoying a little more fruit now – about 1/2 a piece a day (I eat whatever my kids leave when I cut up a pear or apple for them) – as I stayed away from most fruits during detox. The fruit tastes uber-sweet to me, and is a nice treat.

There have been a couple of changes for me this month. One was sticking to the diet and watching the pounds come off. It was amazing to me how quickly it happened, and how I wasn’t killing or depriving myself at all. The second big change for me was taking control of my food choices. I feel like I spent most of my life feeling like I “need” or “can’t resist” or “have to have” some sort of junk, but this month I stopped letting food control me and my emotions, and got back in control. It turns out that I *don’t* need junk, and am fully capable of resisting inanimate objects, no matter how great they look or smell. And after a couple weeks of resisting, it wasn’t even hard. I knew how cupcakes would make me feel, and I didn’t want to feel that way.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you how much this past month has meant for me. It’s been awesome to have the encouragement and support of you, and my teammates. I love how you have encouraged us to be aware of how eating certain foods makes us feel. This awareness is new and awesome for me, and I’m not willing to let go of it now that I’ve found it. I also love how you’re willing to kick my butt when I get whiny and lazy. The combination of support and drive has been great, and I’m really looking forward to seeing changes as I move forward!

Thanks for an amazing month!!! Stay awesome,

-J.

Congratulations to all of you who participated and made changes that you'll keep for the rest of your life.

If you are reading this and are up for taking control of your health, diet and body, then sign up for the next Detox Challenge,which starts this coming Friday, February 3rd. Here are the details and a link to sign up. The Challenge is open to anyone, even if you don't live in New York City. You will miss the indoor workouts and measurements but you can still take advantage of the daily emails, the workout DVD and the support of your amazing teammates.

Detox Day 21: The end of Detox. Phew!

2012-01-25T10:55:00.000-05:00

The Detox is officially over. 21 days without alcohol and sugar and a minimum of 3 hours of exercise per week, plus at least 2 liters of water per day. The participants that I have seen for the 'after' measurements have made amazing progress. While they've dropped a decent amount of weight and body fat, the real change always is noticeable when I look at their skin and body. Smaller waists, clearer skin, reports of improved sleep, more balanced mood, riddance of cravings and an overall improved sense of well-being. It's exciting to see these changes and even more exciting when I hear how they continue this lifestyle beyond the 21 days. That's when I know the daily emails and the Detox experience has sunk in and not just changed their body but more importantly, their attitude. By definition, that's true change.

Tuesday was a busy day, as usual, but I made plans to meet a German friend for lunch at a French bistro in Brooklyn. The day was beautifully sunny and mild and it instantly made me feel better going for a walk. Having felt a bit under the weather this whole week I needed to get out and get some fresh air. We enjoyed a salad and caught up with each other's happenings. I have resolved to order a salad whenever I go out to eat. I honestly don't like making salads for myself during Winter and therefore don't have it in the fridge, but if I can get an interesting salad on the menu then I'm happy to enjoy one.

This week has proven to be an exciting one so far with a various new opportunities, such as a couple media interviews (tune into Martha Steward Living Radio Thursday morning at 10.15am), discussions about DVD distribution, the DVD being featured in a fashion magazine and German Running magazine, and planning the April retreat in Upstate New York in April.

Looking at my own personal success with the Detox I must say I didn't put nearly as much effort into it as last time, where I absolutely nailed it. This time around I just didn't plan my meals well and did not live up to my very strict guidelines I had set for myself last time. I did continue to avoid dairy, except for a little half and half in my coffee and I didn't have cheese (except for twice when it was mixed into my food) or Greek yogurt. I didn't have nearly as many veggies as I should and sometimes felt dehydrated. Lack of sleep was always the main issue and that made me hungry for carbs. Bread was a big part of my diet and while I didn't have any other grains, it was the quick snack choice for me. Bad move.

But, the learnings continue and I'm no different than anybody else who is looking to create lasting changes. The work doesn't stop here. Whether you consider yourself a success or a failure at Detox, it's about learning what works and what doesn't work for you. Your body changes every day. One salty or starchy meal can add 2 lbs of water to your body and a day of clean eating can easily help you drop 3 lbs. So, really - there is no such thing as 'maintenance'. Your body will go with the flow just like you have to and to try to stay rigidly perfect won't help you feel good in your skin. Once you know what stops you from succeeding you have won half the battle. The second step is making an action plan and actually doing it. Don't just say to yourself that you will 'TRY" doing it, but actually do it. "Trying" merely means you're thinking about doing it but you're not actually doing it. As soon as you replace the word "try" with "I will do...." the change happens.

Going forward I have a few goals: Stay away from dairy, cheese and grains - just as I have been. Cut out bread entirely. For the next month I'll challenge myself to do without bread. Alcohol will come into play on special occasions only. Sleep... now that's the battle. I'll do my best to take a nap one day a week. And, I'll continue working on staying well hydrated by always having a water bottle on me. If you see me at class or in the street you can check up on me, just as I would check up on you :-)

My detox ended by trying out the foods that had been waiting for me. Avocado chocolate mousse and protein bars and some. I had the worst cravings for sugar yesterday and I gave in.

Food Diary (it was the big eater's day. watch out!):

Breakfast: 4 eggs with 2 slices of bread, coffee with half and half

Snack: Bell peppers, celery sticks

Lunch: Tuna Nicoise Salad

Snack: Bell peppers, celery sticks, protein bar

Pre-workout: Protein Shake

Dinner: Assortment of leftovers: grilled salmon and chicken with corn salad, roasted root veggies, and asparagus.

Dessert: Avocado mousse made with avocado, chocolate protein powder, vanilla extract and a bit of honey (yes, i had sugar!). Protein bar

Exercise: 1 hour Indoor Boot Camp, 75 Minutes Slim & Strong Spin

Supplements: Metabolic Advantage, Adrenal Support, Multi-vitamin, Antioxidant blend

Water: 2.5 liters

3 Days of Boot Camp, Healthy Food, Meditation, Hypnosis and Hiking in Upstate New York

2012-01-24T11:22:00.001-05:00

Friday, April 6 - Sunday, April 8^th, 2012

Join Ariane Hundt, Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and founder of the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp in Upstate New York for a weekend of boot camp workouts, spa treatments, hiking, healthy food, and relaxation. Enjoy the serenity of the country and come back refreshed, detoxified and several pounds lighter.

We will be staying at a 150-acre Tibetan Retreat Center in Phoenicia, New York, about 2 hours north of NYC. Enjoy the beauty of the woods, relaxation pure and refocusing your body on health, happiness and wellness.

Your weekend includes:

• 2 nights accommodations

• 2 full breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners

• Twice daily boot camp workouts with Ariane

• Daily morning run on Saturday and Sunday

• Fat Burning Nutrition Workshop with Ariane

• Group hypnosis session for weight control and health

• Yoga

• Workshop with Ariane “Create the life you want”

Your Accommodations & Pricing:

You will be staying in one of two beautiful two-story houses set on a hill in the woods. Each house is equipped with a kitchen and living room. You can choose from the following rooms:

· Room with 2 bunk beds (for 4 people): $495 per person

· Room with 4 twin beds (for 4 people): $510 per person

· Room with two twin beds (for 2 people): $550 per person

· Room with 1 bunk bed (for 2 people): $530 per person

· Room with 1 twin bed (for one person): $575 per person

If you come on your own, we will be happy to pair you up with another single participant.

Your Meals:

Included in your accommodations are delicious gourmet vegetarian meals. The chef specializes in a wide variety of organic, protein-balanced vegetarian and international cuisine. The majority of the meals are vegetarian but fish and chicken can be added at an additional fee.

On-Site Amenities:

• Beautiful Spa offering massages, facials and other treatments

• Restaurant, Wireless Internet, Telephone and Fax

• Fitness Center, outdoor pool, sauna

• Bookstore and Cafe

• Private nutrition consultations available with Ariane for additional fee

Sample Retreat Schedule*

· 6-6.30am Morning Run

· 6.30-7.30am Boot Camp Workout

· 8-9am Leisurely Breakfast

· 10-12am Hiking, Group Workshop

· 12-1 Lunch

· 1.30-6pm Afternoon workshop, hiking, yoga, spa treatments, boot camp workout, free time

· 6-7pm Dinner

· 7pm Group workshop and/or free time

*All activities are optional. Do as much or as little as you like.

Refund Policy:

A deposit of $250 paid before March 15th holds your spot for the retreat. Payment is due in full after March 15, 2012. No refunds will be given for cancellations made on or after March 15, 2012.

Transportation:

The following transportation options are available:

· NY Trailways Bus from Port Authority to Phoenica $63 R/T (plus a $5 pick-up transportation fee payable to the Retreat Center)

http://www.trailwaysny.com/html/english/fares_pdf/phoennyc.pdf

· AMTRAK from Penn Station to Rhinecliff $52 R/T plus $40 taxi ride to Phoenicia

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

· Private Car Rental – We are happy to connect you with other participants looking to rent a car.

· Private Car Service from NYC $220 One-Way

Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is recommended, valid during the retreat's duration. Travel insurance costs about $35 for the week. Please make sure you are aware of your carrier's coverage and policies.

Questions:  For all retreat related questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ariane: info@brooklynbridgebootcamp.com

Sign up HERE

Detox Day 20: Working out and catching up with friends

2012-01-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Monday started off with a sweat fest. Slim & Strong produced some intense heat and we all left pretty soaked. After heading home I got a chance to catch up with Myrna, Boot Camp Instructor extraordinaire, who visited me. We grabbed a healthy lunch and she got lots of love from my dog Remi.

As I was scheduling the follow-up weigh-ins for the Detoxers, which are happening Tuesday and Wednesday, I received an email from a participant that was quite amazing. Check out her 'after' picture. NO need for a 'before', right?

"Hi Ariane,

I just had to share this. I know you keep saying that it's not about what the scale says (which is 11 lbs down now by the way) so I decided to put on a pair of pants I tried to wear to work 2.5 weeks ago but couldn't because they were too tight. This is how they look now. I'm absolutely thrilled!

See you in boot camp tonight. C."

How amazing is this? She really worked on eating a clean diet free of sugar and starches and less than 3 weeks later the results are stunning. If you're interested in participating in the next Detox challenge, please sign up at www.brooklynbridgebootcamp.com, click on the class schedule and hit the Slim & Strong button. We are starting the next round on February 4th.

In the evening I taught a boot camp class at Broadway Dance Center on 45th Street and the class was fantastic. A bunch of dedicated boot campers who were all there to give their best. The wet shirts, the red faces and smiles at the end of the class were proof they got a good workout. After the class I got to catch up with a friend who I hadn't seen in ages. Last year I made very little time for friends and fun and this year my plan is to change that. Connecting with people who mean something to me, who have great personalities and are positive is so important and I will make the time to see my friends. We met at Hummus Kitchen and enjoyed small appetizers, such as roasted cauliflower, spicy carrots and hummus and ordered the Shakshuka. What better way to end a very sociable day.

I received the pictures from the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp DVD Launch Party from last Wednesday. Take a look at FACEBOOK to check them out. What a fun bunch of people my boot campers are!

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3 eggs with 1 slice bread, coffee black

Lunch: Chicken with roasted veggies and roasted cauliflower

Snack: Protein Shake with almond milk and vanilla whey protein, spoon peanut butter (bad move before teaching a class. Fat will slow you down and in this case it tied up my stomach in knots)

Dinner: Roasted cauliflower, spicy carrots, hummus, pita, Shakshuka

Snack: Coconut flakes with protein powder and almond milk

Water: 3 liters at least

Supplements: the usual

Exercise: 1 hour Slim & Strong, 1 hour Indoor Boot Camp

Detox Day 19: Water Water Everywhere!

2012-01-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

I so enjoyed my Sunday. I slept in and then went to the gym for a workout after climbing 27 flights - a great warmup! I headed out for a 2-hour walk in the snow with my boyfriend and pup, exploring a few very cool furniture and decoration stores in Brooklyn. Since moving here about 6 months ago I have come to love the artsy and relaxed vibe and as a former Manhattan gal the slower pace suits me well. I used to live one block from Central Park and yet I didn't make as much time to enjoy the park as much as I had planned. While I left how close I was to everything, I also felt like I was living in Tourist Central.

In the afternoon I took my diving test and in the evening I headed to the pool for my first diving lesson. I had to swim a few laps and tread water for 10 minutes. Then the real workout came: putting on my wetsuit. Holy mother... I felt like a sausage. A big fat German sausage and it wasn't pretty. The suit wasn't the perfect fit and that is just key to an enjoyable dive. We went over all types of drills, from how to enter the water (with a huge step) to how to clear your mask under water, how to breathe from your buddy's regulator, and how to take all your gear off while in the water (including a belt that weighed about 10 lbs) and putting it back on. I had lots of fun and cannot wait to do the open water dive.
If you're interested in learning diving then I can highly recommend my teacher Cal Azzouni who owns Village Divers on East 4th Street. They offer several trips to warm destinations every year and also take day trips out to the Long Island Sound to dive ship wrecks. Something I've always wanted to do. Perhaps you'll join me :-)

Food wise, Sunday was a relaxed day as well. After my typical breakfast of eggs we headed to Damascus Bakery on Atlantic Ave. If you know the store then you know what it looks like when you enter. You are looking at all sorts of meat pies, spinach pies, lamb pizzas and baked goods. Amazing dips made from olives or greek yogurt and kibbe. It's a Mediterranean Wonderland in there and the staff is always especially accommodating and friendly. You should check it out if you're in that hood. It's worth a trip. I had the meat pie and the lamb and enjoyed it while walking the streets of Brooklyn.

Since I had to eat at least two hours before going diving I had a mini dinner around 4.30 of meat balls, asparagus, red beets and corn salad. It was delish and yet I was ravenous after I got home from the dive around 11pm. Turns out I had missed an exciting evening. While I was gone, the steam pipe burst in the bedroom and not only did the room look like a steam bath, but it also flooded the floor so that it dripped down 2 floors below. Oh the joys of new buildings... Off to dry more towels.

With only 2 more days to go on the Detox I have to remark that this time around I did by far not put in as much effort as I had planned. I learned a few things about that it takes for me to be successful at eating clean: proper food planning, grocery shopping planning, cooking large portions for several days to come, cutting up veggies to be ready in a ziplock bag in the fridge, drink drink drink more than you think you can. Get more than 5 hours of sleep or your appetite will be through the roof. This is no news, but it needs to happen to create a lifestyle that brings about the body you want.

Just because the detox ends on Tuesday doesn't mean I'll stop it. My new endeavor will be to stop eating bread for a while. That's all I wanted to eat in the past 3 weeks. Give me a bowl of hot strew with bread and I'm happy. Winter food. So, stay tuned for the story about a German gal who says goodbye to bread.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 3 eggs and 1 slice of bread, coffee
Snack: Meat Pie, Lamb pie, double macchiato
Late Lunch: Meatball with asparagus, red beets, corn salad
Snack: Protein shake - Bluebonnet whey and almond milk
Dinner: Corn salad, thai chicken dish

Water: 3 liters
Workout: 27 flights of stairs, upper and lower body heavy weight workout at gym
Supplements: the works

Detox Day 18: Here's how you get sexy and strong legs!

2012-01-22T09:26:00.001-05:00

Today was the American Lung Association's Fundraising event. 55 flights of stairs to the top of One Penn Plaza in Midtown. We had formed a team of 25 participants to compete. Last November we participated in the same event and climbed 40 flights. We won as fastest team and top fundraising team. This year we won as second fastest team (after the elite, that is!) and are proud to say that we rocked it. Monica G won as fastest woman and I was right behind her (boy was she in some shape and almost didn't want to do it!), Jen placed first in her age group, as did Deborah. Kamen won 5th place overall and better sign up as an elite participant from now on! You can check out the fun on Facebook.

We have already registered for the next challenge. On March 4th we will climb 66 flights to the Top of the Rock! I would like to encourage you to register right now and make a commitment to join us come March 4th, 2012. We will get training sessions organized in Manhattan and Brooklyn and you will be emailed instructions about how to do it on your own. See, it's not too late to continue on pursuing your New Year's resolutions.

Please join our team "Butt-Kickers" today! The registration fee is $50 and the fundraising goal is $250. It doesn't matter if you feel out of shape or haven't exercised in years. We're all about having a good time while working out and getting better with every climb.

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3-egg omelette with mushrooms, onions, peppers, 2 slices bread, 2 coffees

Snack: 2 strips of bacon (yes, I call that a "snack"!)

Lunch: Shakshuka with 3 eggs, hummus and pita

Snack: 2 meatballs

Dinner: Chicken with steamed broccoli and carrots
Snack: Chocolate Protein Shake

Shakshuka - one of my have Mediterranean dishes!

Exercise: 55 Flights of Stairs
Supplements: none
Water: at least 2.5 liters

Detox Day 17: TGIF!

2012-01-21T18:03:00.000-05:00

One of my goals for 2012 is to learn to dive. I've been admiring people who go on diving vacations and get to enjoy the amazing underwater world since I was a little girl. I'm actually making it happen this year and Friday I had my first class. Who knew that it's quite a serious endeavor and you need to know your stuff well before you get to hit the water. I met my teacher at his dive shop and learned how to set up my diving gear and various important things to consider about breathing under water. I'm excited to hit the pool on Sunday for my first pool dive. I'll have to take 4 open water dives in the next 6 months, so I see a vacation to a hot spot coming up down the road.

Between taking the class, dealing with a sick puppy and getting loads of paperwork done I forgot to think about food planning. I had picked up a delicious lunch at a cute coffee shop called Paradis in Union Square and enjoyed it very much. They have truly delicious sandwiches, soups and prepared foods. I had the Salmon with green beens, roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts - it was clean, yet the seasoning made the meal delicious and almost buttery tasting. Unfortunately the sick puppy kept me from enjoying a friend's birthday party dinner, which would surely have tempted me to have a glass of wine (and, of course, I would have declined). Instead I took the time to organize my office, which was overloaded with goodie bags and protein bars and various other things. The impact of an organized environment is always immediate. I'm better able to focus and concentrate. If you ever feel difficulty concentrating at your desk, I suggest you take a few minutes to set it up so you can function efficiently. It makes your work flow easier and helps you redirect your energy on work, rather than on thinking about how unorganized your environment is. If you need a few tips to get more energy and focus, check this out:

We have 4 more days of Detox until we do the final measurements. I haven't weighed myself since the first week, after which I lost 4 lbs but my jeans are looser. That's really all I need to know about progress - how my clothes fit. What the scale says is always a different issue and you know my take on it by now.

Several months ago we signed up as a team to climb 55 flights of stairs to the top of One Penn Plaza and tomorrow is the event. I'm excited as we have rocked as the winning teams in past events. Stay tuned for the details. Enjoy your weekend!

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 3 eggs with 2 slices of bread, 2 coffees with almond milk
Snack: Celery sticks, bell peppers, protein bar
Lunch: Salmon, grilled butternut squash, green beans, brussels sprouts
Snack: Carrots dipped in guacamole
Dinner: Lean beef meatballs with steamed carrots and mushrooms
Snack: Chocolate Protein Shake (Bluebonnet with almond milk)

Exercise: 1 Hour Slim & Strong
Supplements: Metabolic Advantage, Multivitamin, Adrenal Support, Vitamin C
Water: 3 liters - yet still felt dehydrated from being in heated rooms

Detox Day 16: Make it Fresh and Direct Please!

2012-01-20T19:14:00.000-05:00

How times have changed. Years ago I would roll my eyes at people who didn't have the time to go grocery shopping or run basic errands. I would find it hard to understand why they wouldn't be able to make the time to go clean their apartments or run to the supermarket. Nowadays I often find myself in the same position and have come to understand and appreciate that some things can be done in a more efficient way. Why spend 2-3 hours a week cleaning if you can have someone take care of it and you spend your time being productive? Why run to 3 different stores to get something if you can order in on Amazon? Why waste time standing in line at the supermarket when you can order online and have it delivered? You catch my drift. Time is important to us New Yorkers and if we all had 50 hours in a day then doing these chores wouldn't be an issue. But, the reality is that we spend a good amount of time doing things that aren't necessarily productive or fruitful, so why do them?

When I ordered my groceries from Fresh Direct for the first time more than 5 years ago I considered it an absolute luxury. Back in the days when I worked 15 hours at a desk job I came home so late that the supermarkets were already closed and so I chose the easy way out. But it wasn't just easy. It was also an amazing way to get high-quality produce into my fridge. Since then I've been ordering from Fresh Direct on and off. You know how I love Trader Joe's, so I do my best to get there as often as I can but when things are too busy I like the click of a button.

Since I received so many great remarks about my Trader Joe's blog post and how $103 can feed you for 10 days and get you slim and strong, I thought I would show you a repeat performance. Enter Fresh Direct. Here is my shopping list, which added up to $136.59.


Coffee
FreshDirect 'Jumping Java' Far East Blend (1.5 lb, Electric Drip - cone, Standard Pack)
($6.99/lb)	$10.49

Dairy
New England Fresh Grade A Large Brown Eggs (1 dozen)
($2.99/ea)	$5.98

Fruit
Lemons (Farm Fresh, Med)
($0.69/ea)	$1.38

Meat
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Family Pack (Grade A)
($3.29/lb)	$13.16

Organic & All-Natural
90% Lean Ground Beef, Raised Without Antibiotics (No Antibiotics Used)
($6.99/lb)	$13.98

Ready to Cook
1.5 lb
Fish Cubes (Hand-packed)
($6.99/lb)	$10.49

Seafood
Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon Fillet Family Pack (4pk, Hand-cut)
($8.99/lb)	$40.46

Vegetables & Herbs
Broccoli (Farm Fresh)
($1.50/ea)	$3.00
3
Garlic (Farm Fresh, Med)
($3.69/lb)	$2.21
2
Green Zucchini (Farm Fresh, Med)
($1.99/lb)	$1.99
2
Grimmway Baby Carrots (Farm Fresh, 1.0lb bag)
($1.75/ea)	$3.50
4
Hass Avocado (Farm Fresh, Med)
($2.00/ea)	$8.00
1
Mint (Farm Fresh)
($1.99/ea)	$1.99
2
Orange Greenhouse Bell Pepper (Farm Fresh, Med)
($3.99/lb)	$3.99
2
Red Greenhouse Bell Pepper (Farm Fresh, Med)
($3.99/lb)	$3.99
1
Satur Farms Wild Arugula Pack (5oz)
($3.49/ea)	$3.49
2
Spanish Onion (Farm Fresh)
($0.99/lb)	$1.78
2
White Stuffer Mushrooms, Packaged (10oz)
($2.99/ea)	$5.98
Estimated Subtotal:	$135.86
Tax:	$0.00

Yes, it's a bit more than I had spent at Trader Joe's but I bought a mega portion of salmon and chicken breasts to freeze for the coming weeks. I also ordered coffee, which was a good $10.

What's so great about Fresh Direct?

They have amazing produce. It is the highest quality you can get.
Also, they have great customer service. If something arrives either broken or not up to par you email them or call them up and they will make you happy by either issuing you a credit or send you the right item with your next order.
The greatest way Fresh Direct saves you time is that you your account stores all your previous orders. You simply log in and repeat previous orders and/or modify them according to your needs.
The company delivers (right now for free) right to your door when you want it with a 2-hour delivery window.
You can also find recommendations for you based on your order.
The nutrition facts are listed with each item for your review.
Fresh Direct sells local produce, organic and kosher items and has a full offering of household items for cleaning and bathroom needs.

So, why waste time in the store if you can do it all at the click of a button? I found you a great coupon. As a first-time customer, order more than $99 and get a $20 discount. Enter Coupon Code AFCPN3 at checkout. Nope, they didn't even give me a free box of eggs to say this. When you find something good then I just want to spread the word.

Food-wise Thursday wasn't my best day. Even though I got to sleep in, I felt tired and hungry, but what else is new... It was the day after the Launch Party and all the excitement caught up with me. I did get into the protein bar habit that I'm immediately stopping again because bars are not filling and definitely not clean and make me crave sweets en-masse.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 3 Eggs with 2 slices of bread, 2 coffees black
Snack: Protein Bar
Lunch: Celery sticks, bell peppers, slice of bread, protein shake
Snack: Protein Shake, coffee
Dinner: Curry fish with steamed broccoli and carrots - delish. I was secretly craving it and before I knew it Mr. 5-Star Chef had made it for dinner. I love ESP.
Snack: Protein bar

Water: about 2.5 liters
Exercise: 75 minutes of Slim & Strong Spin
Supplements: The usual

Detox Day 15: Launching, Partying, Seeing Amazing People!

2012-01-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

Wednesday was the day of the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp DVD Launch Party. It was long overdue. I've been meaning to throw a party for all the fab participants of the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp and Slim & Strong for ages and this was the perfect opportunity.

It was a long process to go from shooting the footage to editing to the final product and finally putting it out for sale. I'm happy and proud to offer my clients and everyone interested in a high intensity workout a workout DVD that's unlike anything else on the market. I had done many workout DVDs for years before becoming a trainer myself but the problem was always that I got bored fast and the workouts were too easy after a while. I wanted to create a workout that was a challenge, produced results in just a few sessions and kept the brain interested. So, now it's available for everyone. Give yourself 5 sessions to see a difference in your muscle tone, lift your butt, tighten your abs and firm your thighs. If you haven't seen the trailer, here it is. You can purchase the DVD online at www.brooklynbridgebootcamp.com.

The night was exciting. I really enjoyed seeing so many happy faces from years past and seeing the great energy of people connecting and checking in with each other. We had many sponsors and I'd like to thank them all here:

Nimble Fitness for the beautiful space
HINT Water for the drinks
Food Should Taste Good for the delicious chips and crackers
Nanoosh for the dips, veggies and wraps
Kind Bars for the tasty protein bars
Smart For Life for the protein bars
Under Armour for the trainer's outfits and sneakers
Vita Coco for the coconut water
Sherry's Short Cakes for the vegan taste dessert treats
Sprigs for the cute wrist workout bands, and
Ty.Ku for the alcoholic drinks
Shana at SRS Public Relations for planning this party,

And last but not least thank you to my Cheeky Little Monkey for the awesome artwork on the walls and my life-size stand-up! (And thanks for not drawing a mustache on it, Annemarie!)

Thank you to the close to 200 Boot Campers and press for coming out and celebrating. I couldn't have been happier to share this event with the people who make this job so much fun and worthwhile.

Stay tuned for the party pictures.

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3 Eggs with 1 slice bread, 2 coffees with almond milk

Snack: Protein Bar (Quest bar) I'll tell you more about these fab bars soon.

Snack: Protein Shake with almond milk, celery sticks and bell peppers

Lunch: Omelet with 3 eggs and 1 slice bread (it was a rush job, don't ask)

Snack: Protein Shake, sashimi

Dinner: Veggies with hummus, small piece of veggie wrap, 3 Sherry's short cakes (yes, they were tasty and worth the cheat).

Late night dinner: carrot-ginger soup, protein bar

Workout: 1 hour Slim & Strong

Supplements: The usual

Water: apparently not enough as I was parched at the end of the night

Detox Day 14: Dumb Things You Shouldn't Do...

2012-01-17T22:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was a long day. I woke up at 3.45am only to lie awake until my alarm rang at 5am. My body must have thought I get too much sleep and just kept me awake. So, I was dragging for most of the day and naturally my appetite was through the roof again. I counteracted it with a big breakfast of 4 eggs and 2 slices bread but it just didn't do the trick. I was busy running errands and getting last minute things ready for the DVD launch party, so there was really no time for even a power nap. I caved in on the peanut butter while feeding my pup a peanut butter snack. I decided to feed myself a snack - peanut butter on a slice of bread. My stomach was not happy. All tied up in knots... Lesson learned: Watch out for your food sensitivities. Trying to get to bed at a decent hour tonight will hopefully do the trick.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 4 eggs with 2 slices whole grain bread, 2 coffees with almond milk
Snack: Protein Shake - almond milk, avocado and bluebonnet vanilla whey
Lunch: Maryland Crab Soup
Snack: Slice of bread with peanut butter (get this... I was feeding my dog peanut butter and I caved in. Really bad move because my stomach was so in knots from eating peanut butter that teaching class tonight was not much fun).
Dinner: Protein Shake, bell peppers and celery

Exercise: 1 hour Indoor Boot Camp, 75 Minutes Slim & Strong Spin
Supplements: Vitamin C, Adrenal Support, Metabolic Support, Mushroom Blend

Here's a common question I get during Detox and Slim & Strong:

'Ariane, I’ve been doing really well on the Detox. My clothes are fitting much looser, the puffiness in my face is gone....

I am stuck at 120 lbs and can't seem to make that change. Any suggestions? Thanks, J.

Hi J.,

Being stuck is normal. At first you lose a lot of water, which makes you think you lost a lot of weight. However, water weight loss fluctuates. After about 2-3 days you start losing fat and sometimes regain some muscle if you were protein deficient before. So, the weight will show a quick drop of weight in the first few days (water lost), then will stay stagnant for a bit (the body regains some water and loses fat) and then drop again (water levels stable and fat loss continues), so that’s why you can expect fluctuations in your weight. They’re normal and expected and people typically don’t lose weight day after day and week after week. The body does it in stages. Hormones, heat, food, sleep all affect fat loss, so be patient.

Only body fat measurements can tell if you're stuck or not. The weight loss might not be showing on the scale but that’s why you want to rely on your clothes. Everything else you describe sounds like progress to me. We'll see next week when we do your ‘after’ measurements! - Ariane

You Want To Try This - After Detox! Avocado Chocolate Mousse

2012-01-17T16:50:00.000-05:00

When I posted the Chocolate Protein Shake recipe that included adding half an avocado, I heard all types of comments: Gross, ewwww, disgusting... but when they taste it they're always amazed at how an avocado can make your protein shake creamy, tasty and pretty much taste like ice cream. When Rachael, a boot camper, shared this recipe with me I was certain it was going to be a winner. Here's a very simple and pretty much sugar free sweet treat: Avocado Chocolate Mousse, which was originally posted on Cooking Blogs.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, the meat scooped out of the shell
3 tablespoons honey (more or less to taste.)
1/4 cup unsweetened cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Use a blender or food processor to blend the avocados until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend again until everything is combined. Add more or less honey according to your taste. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
I would try this with chocolate protein powder to reduce the sugar and increase the protein.

Detox Days 12 & 13: Regaining Myself

2012-01-16T21:15:00.002-05:00

Sunday I felt back on track as I had caught up on sleep and didn't feel hungry anymore. Started with a lovely walk with the pup into the sunrise in the freezing cold. Being in nature always calms me and gets me back to the things that really matter. It's quite simple. The moment I get upstate I'm calmer and more relaxed. I didn't realize I needed it so much until I started making regular weekend trips Upstate over the past year.

After receiving so many emails asking me for the kale cake recipe, I went to my favorite breakfast place in Woodstock, called Sunfrost and asked for their recipe. I have yet to make these puppies but perhaps you can beat me to it and share how they came out. I realize they do have some flour in them but only a minimal amount to hold the mixture together:

INGREDIENTS

1 lb kale (cut into small pieces)
3 onions (chopped finely)
2 garlic cloves (chopped finely)
6 eggs (beaten)
Whole wheat flour
pepper and salt
olive oil

1. Mix the flour, salt, corn and kale in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl beat the eggs, add the olive oil and milk and combine.
3. Add the wet ingredients into the dry and stir them gently. the mixture should be firm and not runny.
4. Heat the olive oil in a pan (ideally cast iron) and caramelize the chopped onion.
5. Add the onion to the mix and stir.
6. Form burger-sized patties and saute them in the pan in the olive oil. Cook them for about 3 minutes on each side and then flip. Cook both sides until golden brown.

Serve them warm or cold. I like mine as snack or for breakfast with scrambled eggs. I have a total addiction to these.

Here are a few variations I found online:
Cauliflower Kale Cakes
Savory Baked Kale Cakes
Potato Kale Cakes

I went to a Golden Globe Dinner Party and despite the fact that I brought dark chocolate dipped strawberries, I did not cave in and have one. But it wasn't easy. I could have also easily eaten a few dates stuffed with peanut butter and some of the garlic bread that was on the table, along with the loads of wine, but I didn't. What's the point of having it and then regretting it later. It's always just a spur of the moment kind of thing. Just because it's in front of me doesn't mean I need to have it. Just because others around me have it doesn't mean I have to do the same. I can do my own thing and feel good. Or at least that's what I told myself. Once I went home I didn't feel the temptation and I didn't even waste a thought on it.

Food Diary Sunday:
Breakfast: 3 eggs, 1 slice bread, 2 coffees with little half and half
Lunch: Kale Cakes
Dinner: Blackened Salmon with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Stuffed baked jalapenos, deviled eggs
Snack: Protein Shake with Bluebonnet Vanilla Whey protein, dry coconut flakes and almond milk

Food Diary Monday:
Breakfast: 3 eggs, 1 slice bread, 2 coffees with little half and half
Lunch: Coffee (I know, great choice), Chocolate Whey Protein Shake with Almond Milk
Snack: Salad with carrots, broccoli (from Maoz and sure high in fat)
Dinner: Grilled salmon, fennel, salad

Exercise: Indoor Boot Camp Class

The Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp DVD Launch Party is Wednesday!

2012-01-16T20:54:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to celebrate the official launch of my baby. Snag an awesome gift bag if you come early!

Please RSVP. See you there!

Cheers, Ariane

Detox Day 11: Popcorn, Tacos & Margaritas. I thought I had this down...

2012-01-15T10:12:00.001-05:00

I spent Saturday the way I like it: getting things done but also having some fun. Well, for the most part.
I woke up and walked the dog, who explored her first snow.

Then, enjoyed a big home-cooked breakfast and got some things done around the house. I have been saying for the past 10 days that it doesn't bother me anymore when people around me drink or eat food that's not on my plan. Yet, Saturday was just a repeat of what I had gone through back in October when the apple fritters were making my knees wobbly.

My boyfriend and I decided to go to the movies and that's where it all started. He ordered the big popcorn, assuming I would share it with him. Nice assumption, but I'd rather be asked, so I had a few and not even liking it. After the movie we headed to a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food has always been one of my biggest challenges and so I haven't had it in years. It's hard to bypass the starches as most dishes have tacos, chips and beans and I'm always tempted by the chips. Many years ago (way before my personal trainer/nutritionist days) I used to live in Washington, D.C. and there was a well-known Mexican restaurant called Cactus Cantina that I would frequent because of the chips and salsa. They were amazing. Always fresh and you could get as many refills as you wanted with your drink order. I remember one morning when I woke up after a dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I looked into the mirror and my face was so puffy you wouldn't have been able to tell me apart from a hamster. That's when I realized that chips and I weren't going to be friends anymore. So much for my history with Mexican food...

I must have looked at that menu for ages and tried piecing together a decent meal with protein and veggies. Sure thing the chicken Quesadilla or Fajitas looked tempting, but weren't a good idea and I would feel awful after eating it (not just mentally but physically). I modified a dish and ordered the grilled salmon topped with salsa and grilled veggies on the side. The original dish would have come with rice and beans. Of course the chips and salsa ended up right before my nose and also a lovely dish of guacamole and so I had a few - total reflex. The dinner really hit the spot. However, there was also the quesadilla and frozen margaritas sitting across the table from me and I couldn't help but comment on the sugar in the margaritas. It was part concern that made me comment over the load of sugar and part dissatisfaction that I couldn't just have a glass of wine too. For the first time in 10 days I felt deprived, even jealous and mad that that stuff was enjoyed in front of my face. And, I realized I already had some popcorn and chips and broken the detox rules and perhaps that all added up to me being grumpy. To make a long story short, it wasn't a good feeling and ruined the evening. I guess I'm not superhuman and immune to temptations around me, after all. What's my lesson here? What others do shouldn't affect my actions. Plan ahead for snacks and meals.

I received a few other emails from Detoxers who went through similar challenges. This is an email that was sent around one of the detox teams.

"UGH! Today is a Very Challenging Day.
On the drive up to Albany, we stopped to get lunch, and there was literally NO carb and sugar free option! All the salads came with dressing already on; the grilled chicken was honey-coated...it was very disheartening. (There was a salad bar, but it looked like it hadn't been refreshed since the middle ages, so I passed.) I sipped a protein drink (I had enough foresight to bring ziplocs of powder along), but it was very unsatisfying.
Then, when we arrived in Albany, we were offered "Whatever you like - there's lasagna, bagels, some crackers laid out..." I had brought some broccoli, and stirred it up in butter and garlic, but I felt very alone.
I've stayed strong, but tomorrow we celebrate my daughter's 7th birthday. I'm baking the cake. This is not the awesomest mood I've ever been in. "Grumpy but resolute" is not how I want to live my life.
Help me out, team! I need some MAJOR encouragement to get through the weekend..."

Being surrounded by people always challenges you at the core about your choices. Sure thing it would be easy to live in a bubble, but we don't. It would be boring and we wouldn't learn a thing. These challenges are what make us learn and improve and understand who we are. Appreciate them and make the most of them. Sure, I broke the rules and there was a decent amount of bread in my diet yesterday and not enough protein to fill me up, but I at least know now how it all came about. Next time around I will try better.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 3 eggs with whole grain bread
Snack: grain bread with 1/2 avocado spread
Lunch: Carrot-pumpkin soup with 1/2 chicken breast
Snack: grain bread with 1/2 avocado spread
Snack: popcorn
Dinner: Grilled salmon and veggies, salsa, guacamole and tortilla chips

Supplements: none
Water: 3 liters

Day 10 of Detox: Cooking Up A Moroccan Storm

2012-01-14T10:20:00.002-05:00

After a very leg-focused morning Slim & Strong workout, I saw one of my private clients. I hadn't seen him in over a week and was quite curious to see him. He had joined the Detox and was telling me about how good he was feeling - almost surprised that a few days can make such a difference. In the past months he had been struggling quite a bit with his eating. Not that he doesn't know what he has to do. Not that he doesn't have the resources to make it happen. He was simply using food to soothe his enormous stress and whenever something came up that was too much, he would resort to all the foods that would in fact damage his health. Yet, that wasn't enough to motivate lasting changes. Fast forward. 10 days into the Detox, I'm more than amazed about his persistence ensuring he has veggies at every meal, drinks water aplenty, and keeps the booze at bay. He even had his first alcohol-free weekend in 40 years. Can you picture that?!

The result so far is: "I'm planning on continuing this way of eating after the Detox is over." A flatter stomach, better skin, no hunger, better digestion and a clearer mind. Why is he making it happen NOW? He is discussing his eating plans with his wife, thinks ahead and plans his meals, keeps a food diary and realizes that stress management is at the core of his health - weight-wise and mentally. Stress may always be pushing his buttons but this time around I have a really good feeling about his priorities having shifted...

Today I also gave a good workout to my messenger. Little did I know the two "packages" I wanted him to pick up for me were the size of a small truck. And yes, they were transported on his bike!

These guys rock, are reliable, fast and affordable and I highly recommend them for any messenger services in the city. Check out Mess Kollective.

Off I went to the country for the weekend and decided to ensure my own eating success for the weekend. My bag of veggies was packed, filled with baby carrots and bell peppers.

Once I arrived I got right to cooking two recipes I've been meaning to try. They're delicious and easy to make. Here they are:

Moroccan Vegetable Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter (you can replace it by olive oil)

1 onion, chopped

225 g/8oz carrots, chopped

225 g/ 8oz parsnips, chopped

225 g/ 8 oz pumpkin (i used canned)

900 ml/ 3 3/4 cups vegetable or chicken stock

lemon juice to taste

salt and freshly ground pepper

For the garnish:

1.5 tbsp olive oil

1/2 garlic clove, finely chopped

3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and coriander, mixed

a good pinch of paprika

1. Heat the oil and butter in a large pan and fry the onion for about 3 minutes, until soft. Add the carrots and parsnips, stir well, cover and cook over a gentle heat for 5 minutes.

2. Cut the pumpkin into chunks, discarding the skin and pith, and stir into the pan (i used canned because it gets blended up in the end anyways). Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, then add the vegetable or chicken stock and seasoning. Slowly bring to a boil. Cover and leave to simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

3. Allow the soup to cool slightly, then puree in a food processor or blender until smooth, adding a little stock if the soup is too thick. Pour into a clean saucepan, and reheat gently.

4. Garnish: heat the oil in a small pan and gently fry the garlic and herbs for 1-2 minutes. Add the paprika and stir well.

5. Adjust the seasoning of the soup and stir in lemon juice to taste. Pour soup into bowls and spoon a little garnish on top, which should then be carefully swirled into the soup.

Moroccan Roast Chicken

serves 4-6

Ingredients:

4-4.5 lbs chicken (I used 5 chicken breasts)

2 small shallots

1 garlic clove

1 fresh parsley sprig

1 tbsp salt

1.5 tbsp paprika

pinch of cayenne pepper

1.5 tbsp ground cumin

3 tbsp butter

1 lemon

sprigs of parsley, coriander to garnish

1. Unless cooking it whole, cut the chicken in half or into quarters using poultry shears or a sharp knife.

2. Process the shallots, garlic, herbs, salt and spices in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the butter and process to make a smooth paste.

3. Thoroughly rub the paste over the skin of the chicken and then allow it to stand for 1-2 hours.

4. Preheat the oven to 400 degree F (gas 6) and put the chicken in a roasting tin. If using the lemon, quarter the lemon and place one or two quarters around the chicken pieces (or in the body cavity if the chicken is whole) and squeeze a little lemon over the skin.

5. Roast in the over for 1 to 1 1/4 hours (2- 2.5 hours for a whole chicken) until the chicken is cooked through and the mat juices run clear when pierced with the point of a knife. Baste the meat occasionally. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, cover the chicken loosely with foil.

6. Allow the chicken to stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes before carving, then serve garnished with parsley and coriander.

Note: I used mostly olive oil and very little butter and it came out nicely. I suggest you use double the amount as it gives you enough to baste the chicken and reapply seasoning in the roasting process. It also helps keep the chicken moist.

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3 Eggs on 2 slices whole grain bread

Snack: 4 slices of bacon (totally admit to this not being a detox food. not really a LEAN protein either. Ok, you got me!)

Snack: baby carrots and bell peppers

Snack: a few grain crackers (didn't sit well. grains are a no-no for me)

Dinner: Moroccan Vegetable Soup and Moroccan Roast Chicken

Late night snack: Protein powder mixed with coconut flakes and almond milk

Exercise: Slim & Strong Workout

Supplements: New Chapter Every Woman II,

Enzymatic Therapy Metabolic Advantage Thyroid Formula, New Chapter Lifeshield Breathe. Tried PGX Daily today to add fiber and suppress appetite that's been ravaging me for the last week. Kept me full for a few hours. I use this here and there when I want to add fiber to my diet to improve digestion or just to fill up faster. You take 3-5 capsules 15-20 minutes before your meals with a glass of water. The fiber in the capsules fills your stomach, expands and ensures that you stay full. It also helps balance your blood sugar, over time can lower your cholesterol, and prevents blood sugar fluctuations - ideal to take before your cheat meals to blunt the negative effects.

Day 9 of Detox: Will somebody please feed me?

2012-01-12T22:27:00.001-05:00

This has been National Hunger Week for me. There's plenty of reasons why I am hungry: lack of sleep, lots to do and running around, working out very intensely, lack of water, not enough veggies. But today I slept in. I ate my veggies. I worked out only 75 minutes, and drank a load. I'm pretty certain it has to do with having too much on my plate right now. Heading for the kitchen to take a little break sometimes feels like a great idea. Until I stand there with nothing to eat. Oh yeah, should have gone food shopping too.

So, back to square one. Planning meals is at the core of anyone's success to fat loss. If you wait until you're hungry and then find nothing appropriate to eat then you'll just end up failing. And nobody's to blame. I'm the worst offender in this regard. I fail to plan ahead because I'm more of a 'I'm going to wing it" kinda gal, whereas it's quite hard to come across protein when you're on the run. We all know that delis don't have anything decent, unless you can find some Muscle Milk or Greek Yogurt in their fridge. The newspaper stand might have a bag of nuts that qualifies as a decent snack, and the Vitamin Shoppes and GNC stores might have a decent protein bar or protein shake. But, during detox even those foods aren't great options. Most bars are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients and most ready-to-drink protein drinks are sweetened with Splenda, which leaves an awful aftertaste for hours. Plus, shakes aren't really filling because liquids are absorbed so quickly and no digestion is needed.

You have to have that little ziplock bag ready to go, sitting in the fridge. You want to have your protein shake powder ready in the shaker bottle. And, you want to know where you next meal will be coming from. It's not that difficult but it means you need to be aware of your plan for the day. I will do better going forward.

My Detoxers learned about stress today. How it affects your body, mind and health. I thought I'd share one bit of the info I emailed out today:

There are many habits that can make our bodies feel stressed:

Caffeine: can increase anxiety in caffeine-sensitive people, increase adrenaline, and cause headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues if consumed in excess (we’re talking 4 cups or more per day).

Alcohol: Alcohol intake has a similar effect and can interfere with your brain chemistry and affect your sleep cycles. Alcohol tends to wake you up about 3-5 hours after consumption.

Refined Carbs (sugar and white flour products): These create blood sugar imbalances and low blood sugar. This impairs your concentration, results in low energy, and makes you ravenous for more sugar. Refined foods can also increase anxiety and depression (many depressed people have hypoglycemia without knowing it).

Sodium-Potassium Balance is off: Eating too much salt and too little potassium (coconut water, bananas) throw off your adrenal glands.

How do you eat your meals? Eating in a stressful environment without chewing or while being upset will impair your digestion and assimilation of food. Acid production is increased when stressed, so don’t be surprised you end up with heartburn after eating when upset.

How can you handle stress better so your body isn’t affected?

When you get stressed (either because you are being stressed out or because of your PERCEPTION of stress), your parasympathetic nervous system activates. That’s the part of your body that handles digestion, breathing and your heart rate. Its job is to repair, maintain and restore your body and there are many ways in which you can help it achieve a relaxed response.

· Hypnosis, self-hypnosis

· Progressive relaxation

· Meditation

· Biofeedback

· Yoga and other exercise

I’m a big fan of hypnosis and have been practicing it on and off since I was 16. The great part about hypnosis is that all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis, so you don’t need anyone to put you into a relaxed state, other than yourself and a calm environment. Hypnosis is not sleep but rather a very focused state of attention. You bypass your conscious mind and are able to give yourself suggestions that your subconscious picks up without evaluating and criticizing it very much. This allows you to reprogram yourself with healthier habits. Hypnosis is not mind-control and you could never make someone rob a bank or jump out a window if it was against their moral values. So, you never quite lose your judgement entirely but you get to go quite deep to the core of your beliefs and replant them in a more appropriate manner that promotes well-being.

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3 eggs, 2 slices whole grain bread

Snack: Protein Shake (Almond milk with Bluebonnet Whey Protein Vanilla)

Lunch: Grilled salmon and veggies
Snack: 2 bell peppers

Snack: Chocolate protein shake (whey with water), 1 single macchiato

Dinner: Chicken

Snack: Protein Shake (Almond milk with Bluebonnet Whey Protein Vanilla)

Water: close to 4 liters (detox tea and water)

Supplements: Adrenal support, Metabolic Advantage, Multivitamin, CLA

Exercise: 75 Minutes Slim & Strong Spin

Detox Day 8: Pushing Beyond What You Think You Can...

2012-01-12T12:46:00.004-05:00

My Wednesday started with a killer Slim & Strong workout. The “warm up” started with 100 Jumping Jacks, 30 Sumo Squats, and 50 Push Ups – repeated three times total (I know, crazy. But – everyone was able to do it). We decided to focus on legs and for whatever reason (memory loss…?) we cranked out more arm work than on Monday. The class loved it – as in ‘oh my god, are you crazy?’. Yet, they always walk out proud of what they were able to accomplish.

Why do we push so hard? Well, most people have a sense of what they are able to do workout-wise but untrained people don't have an accurate sense. Our brain often gets in the way and stops us before we reach our full physical potential. That is good on one hand because it prevents injury and exhaustion, but on the other hand it’s holding us back because our brain typically tells us to stop before we have even gotten close to reaching our max. And, the other issue is that sometimes we don’t push hard enough because we are lazy and fear leaving class exhausted and tired. But that never happens. Have you ever noticed that after a great workout, where you really went above and beyond, that the moment you step out of the shower you feel more energized than before? That’s why we push hard. We do it safely. Once everyone's form is adequate and a baseline level of strength is achieved we go for it. We don’t do crazy moves that risk injury. That’s why Slim & Strong participants notice the difference within a week already. Our workouts may very well count as 3 workouts you would do on your own in the guy. I received a great email from a participant who started just a week ago:

“Good Morning Ariane! So, one week into the program and 3 people have told me I have lost weight and my boyfriend said that I'm much more bubbly, energetic, and happy. Amazing...all that in one week. Can't wait to see what I can accomplish in the next 3 weeks (and beyond)! Just thought I'd share this with you. Lori.”

Food-wise I just couldn’t get a grip on my appetite. Blame hormones, lack of sleep and too much running around. I enjoyed a nice dinner out and the burger, fries and Guinness sitting next to me didn’t offend my chopped salad in the least.

I find it quite interesting how I could care less about food that’s on the “no-no during detox” list. I definitely am more relaxed about my eating this time around. I want to focus on eating more veggies because last time around I was certainly much better, but since it's cold I crave warm soups and warming foods. I hope to keep my relaxed mindset way beyond the end of detox in two weeks.

You may very well notice how your appetite and food choices are so much dependent on your emotional state. We don’t just eat to satisfy our appetite or feed our body. Heck, if we did that then nobody would ever be overweight. We eat for so many reasons other than nourishment and those reasons are at the core of your health. Unless you address what makes you eat, you will NEVER see a lasting change. You can be on the most amazing diet, have the most effective workout plan in place but if you get hit by stress, anger, boredom, or loneliness and you have learned that food soothes you, then you’ll always have an issue with weight. What I try to teach my Slim & Strong participants is that food should serve as physical nourishment only (unless it's a cheat meal) and whenever it serves another purpose we need to take a look at our life and address what makes us eat.

So, I’d like to encourage you today to take note of what makes you eat today. Are you truly hungry or are you hungry for something else and trying to feed an emotional need. Let's say you're sitting at your desk and have this huge project you need to do. Yet, you find yourself cruising the vending machine because truly you're procrastinating. So, your task should be to work on your project in a way that doesn't make you want to procrastinate: break it down, schedule each task and plan for work breaks as well.

Food Diary:

Breakfast: 3 Egg-Sandwich (whole grain bread), 2 coffees with almond milk

Snack: Egg salad with slice of grain bread (I was hungry!)

Lunch: Tuna steak with roasted fennel

Snack: Protein Shake (Bluebonnet Whey Protein Vanilla with coconut flakes, pumpkin, chia seeds, almond milk)

Snack: ½ slice of bread with olive spread (yes, still hungry)

Dinner: Chopped Salad with Grilled Salmon

Snack: Protein Shake (Bluebonnet Whey Protein Vanilla with coconut flakes, pumpkin, chia seeds, almond milk)

Supplements: New Chapter Every Woman II,
Enzymatic Therapy Metabolic Advantage Thyroid Formula, New Chapter Lifeshield Breathe

Water: 3 liters detox tea, water

Exercise: 1 hour Slim & Strong

High-Protein Lassi Recipe

2012-01-12T11:39:00.001-05:00

Ariane, I just invented something you might enjoy, if you like Indian food - or rather used to, until we discovered how starch-heavy it really is in restaurants.

It’s a high-protein lassi (the yogurt drink like kefir, usually people drink the mango flavored lassi)

Use Trader Joe’s fat-free cottage cheese (this will probably not work for you detox monkeys :) if you’re laying off dairy). Each container is about 16oz in volume, 4 servings, each contains 13g of protein. So half a box suffices for one meal's worth of protein - 26 g protein and only 8 g carbs, no fat. I go through 6 a week, sigh.

Add about 2-4 cups of water, depending on how watery you want it, and blend it in a blender until smooth and all the curds have disintegrated.

Add cumin powder and salt if you like it a bit salty. Add mint leaves or cilantro while blending for an amazing punch. You can also blend in a few frozen berries if this is your morning protein and you like it sweet.

I have taken to drinking this before going to bed, because I usually eat dinner at 8, and don't sleep until midnight at least, so this keeps me feeling less homicidal than usual, until breakfast.

- K.

Detox Day 7: It gets tastier every day!

2012-01-10T22:10:00.002-05:00

Today was a fast day. It simply consisted of the usual work: Getting ready for my DVD launch party next Wednesday (sign up for the newsletter on the website if you’d like an invite: www.brooklynbridgebootcamp.com), planning the April retreat Upstate and answering my daily slew of emails and organizing. I started my day teaching a class at Complete Body and Spa and then headed home to meet our dog trainer. Our little pup has become a brat of sorts (she even set up her own Facebook page…) and we needed a little lesson in getting her back on track. Turns out it’s not really about the dog. Basically, Dog Boy (that’s our trainer) is training us humans how to behave so that our pup knows what her job is. It’s quite simple, yet constant practice and reinforcement of the new behavior is necessary. And food works so well for dogs. Aren’t we much alike? :-)

I continue to receive updates from my detoxers about how great they feel and I couldn't be happier when I get these emails. Seeing that my participants take the daily leanings from the emails, implement them and then feel and see the difference is exactly what change is all about. They make small changes day by day, learn what works and what doesn’t and see the benefits. And then they make the mental connection and realize that it’s about much more than just food and exercise. It's about making a change in your attitude about how you view yourself, your health and who you want to be. Here is a great email that illustrates just what happens with participants who are open to change, work on themselves and keep an open mind about the whole experience:

"Wanted to share some of the thoughts about having discussions with Ariane. I study and work as a therapist, and Ariane pointed out that I don’t have to let my wanting food become my motivation. It’s hard to have some of my own therapizing thrown back in my face, but she’s totally right. For me, soothing myself with food, and wanting food when things go wrong, are such automatic thoughts. But I can totally take control of them, and change the cognition. I should’ve made it one of my goals.

 The sort of thing I’m talking about is a super weakness of mine. I’m such a conditioned being – after a hard day, I convince myself that I *need* something to look forward to at home – a glass of wine, some dark chocolate, whatever. In reality, I’ll make it home just fine. In reality, I don’t need to have some external, food-based motivation dragging me forward. (And also, um, my life is pretty awesome, so sometimes a little perspective-check helps me out.) On those days when it is *really* that bad (and they are far fewer than I think they are), the motivation doesn’t have to be food. It could totally be a massage, sex or a good book or just bedtime, or something else. I’ve got to control my own thoughts here. It’s a hard for me.

Today is a good day for me. Armed with a fresh perspective on my own self-sabotage methods, I’ve had a killer day. I was out for a little too long today, and ended up STARVING (1 protein shake won’t get me from 5am to 1pm it seems), and I was grouchy and pissy. On top of that I had to shop for dinner (while hungry, never a good idea). To make a long story short, I ended up splurging a little and getting some really top-shelf seafood and fresh, organic veggies for tonight, and I felt so damn good about it. It will be really satisfying and protein rich for me to eat, and I felt like I could spend the money since I’m not buying any wine at all this month.

Also awesome – I was totally NOT tempted to buy bad food while I was out and about and really hungry. I was in the zone, and really *wanted* to wait for something healthy. It totally surprised me."

So, as encouragement. Push through your challenges and when you come out at the other end you will find you are indeed capable of resisting. You will not only feel proud of yourself but also in control and gain the feeling that you can take charge of your eating, exercise and health. Life the live you want to live and stop sabotaging yourself. You know you want it!

Food diary:

Breakfast: 3 egg sandwich, 2 coffees with almond milk

Snack: coconut almond milk dessert treat (protein powder, shredded coconut, almond milk, chia seeds)

Lunch: carrot soup and grilled chicken

Snack: 1 bag of baby carrots

Snack: Double Macchiato with skim milk

What in the world is wrong with delis in NYC? I always walk out empty handed.

Then I end up in a coffee shop for coffee and have to stare at the deliciousness behind glass while waiting 5 minutes for a coffee. Yes, it is self-imposed torture.

Dinner: Home-cooked Seared tuna with avocado and steamed veggies (check out the recipe - minus the sugar and soy sauce). This was by far the most delicious dinner I've had in a while. The flavor was unique as it mixed the smooth avocado flavor with the spiciness of the ginger and jalapeno and yet it tasted fresh, clean and so satisfying. Thank you chef!

Exercise:

1 hour Boot Camp Class

75 minutes Slim & Strong Spin

Supplements: the usual

Water: 3 liters – still feeling dehydrated

Notes: The lack of sleep is catching up on me again. I dragged all afternoon and only a double shot of espresso helped me make it. Felt hungry and snackish all day and that’s always due to my stress hormones being elevated when I didn’t get enough shut-eye.

Bloody Hell. Dessert that tastes SO good and is good for me?

2012-01-10T22:01:00.000-05:00

I sat up late last night catching up on my blog posts and my boyfriend presented me with a delicious surprise. After dinner I had started to scour the cabinets for something sweet but nothing was to be found that met detox guidelines. So, I settled on a cup of detox tea with berry flavor. Not exactly thrilling but hey - I'm detoxing. Why did I crave sweets? Well, check out my food diary from yesterday. It was low in protein and it caught up with me at night as a sweet craving.

He whipped up an amazing concoction that hit the spot. It's so simple, yet I'd never thought of it myself. He simply mixed dry, organic coconut with almond milk, Bluebonnet Whey protein powder and egg whites. The shortest recipe in the history of dessert. Give it a whirl. I want to try this with Chia seeds mixed in as they will make the substance more pudding like.

And, here's the cooked version: Egg-white coconut madeline.
High in protein. Sweet taste. Decent amount of fiber. Only 2 grams of sugar (not added but naturally already in it). No dairy. OMG.

He deserves a gold star. I know :-)

Detox Day 6: Filming, Eating, Laughing, Talking....

2012-01-09T23:14:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a day. I've been going nonstop for 16 hours now and I'm pooped. But in a good way. I taught a killer Slim & Strong class to my January participants who are beyond committed to making the start of the 2012 a killer month. Then I headed to midtown to meet the German film crew. Today was the third day of filming for a German documentary show. We taped at one of my private client's building gym, showing off our workout routine. She is a fashion designer for a sports wear company and gave us a tour of her beautiful apartment on the 48th floor. Imagine stunning Hudson and Central Park views and incredible light. New York City views never fail to amaze me...

After wrapping in Midtown, we headed to the production office where my Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp DVD was produced and taped how I put the final touches on the DVD trailer with the editor/camerawoman. I enjoyed a quick lunch break today at Jivamukti Cafe, the Union Square yoga studio's vegan cafe. I ordered the Red Lentil Dal and it was quite delicious. Again, it wasn't perfectly in line with my idea of detox because it contained lentils but it was warming and yummy. I like this place because the food is clean, tasty and fresh. It is a bit low in protein for my taste and therefore not filling enough but it sure is a great spot to try out - with or without a yoga class.

The film crew and I then headed to the Union Square Farmer's Market to shoot how I met with Yoga Superstar Kristin McGee and Bianca Jade of Mizzfit.com for a catch-up on our latest endeavors.

It's great to be connected with women who are actually in support of each other and share tips or ideas for each other's development. It's somewhat new to me to experience this and I love the energy we create when we get our ideas going. I've been experiencing this phenomenon for years now in Slim & Strong - all participants help each other out to make sure everyone makes progress. It's by no means understood or normal, based on my experience, and I love this facet of my work the most. We all pull on the same string to create a better environment for all of us. If we all take care of our health and fitness and surround ourselves with like-minded people then we have a much greater chance of success.

I've been to many classes or meetings where women are jealous of other's success or don't want the best for their friends because it would make them feel like they're left behind. I've been to workouts where people come to class while others are waiting and are being eyed up top to bottom to see what the competition of the day is like. Let's just say that I don't see any of this in my classes. Instead, people greet each other with enthusiasm and ask each other about how they have been. Tons of friendships have been established over the years and we've done some fun and crazy things together outside of classes. That's the spirit I love about my work - that the energy transcends way beyond the classes. It touches others and spreads from one person to the next. That's pretty magical in my eyes.

We wrapped up filming late in the afternoon and after catching up on a bit of emails and work, I taught the 6.30pm class. Who knew that 2 espresso shots would have such an effect on me. I think there wasn't a dry t-shirt at the end of class and the moaning was quite loud when I announced the 10th set of sumo squats but that didn't stop me. The caffeine was talking. Loudly. Sorry guys :-)

Food Diary:
Breakfast: Egg sandwich, coffee with skim milk
Snack: Quiche with broccoli, tomatoes
Lunch: Red lentil dal with 2 slices of bread (yep, I overdid it because I was hungry. No protein and I starve!)
Snack: Single macchiato
Snack: Green juice with cucumber, parsley, ginger, carrot and kale
Double macchiato
Dinner: Grilled chicken with roasted root veggies and green beans
Dessert: OMG I will share this with you guys tomorrow. It wasn't even a cheat!

Supplements: Multivitamin, fish oil, metabolic advantage, mushroom blend
Water: Totally dehydrated from too much coffee. My lips are red and dry.

Notes: I want to be more strict with my eating. No more than 2 slices of bread per day. No other grains or beans and no accidental cheese. And: S L E E P!

good night!

Detox Day 5: Not really a Sunday

2012-01-09T22:36:00.000-05:00

Sunday didn't feel like a real Sunday. I got up and felt amazingly awake, rested and good in my skin. I went out for breakfast to my organic supermarket farm stand spot.

I had my typical healthy and fat burning breakfast of a kale cake with scrambled eggs and a shot of ginger. It was a good start to my day after waking up early, watching the sunrise outside of my window and taking the pup for a walk in the woods.

It is so simple, yet it's what makes me happy. I love sitting at the breakfast bar because inevitably I always strike up a conversation with someone about the food or the local happenings (by the way. got a new app called Hipstamatic and it takes amazing pics with a 60's/70's look).

I spent the afternoon in Woodstock, looking around a few stores and art galleries and before I knew it, it was already time to head back to the city.

I asked my detoxers to share any positive happenings with me because the 4th or 5th day marks obvious improvements and I'm always curious to hear what people notice. I thought I'd share a few with you because seeing what 4 or 5 days ONLY can change is astonishing:

You were right, I feel much better now. Got up early yesterday, took my dog to Central Park, ran errands, worked out for 1.5 hours with Susanne (did your program - can't move today) and then prepared meals for the week. Lots of energy all day and last night I had the best night's sleep I've had in years. Wow!

Went out for drinks with my friends on Friday and had soda water with lime. It wasn't even hard! I want to go out more with friends while my motivation is this high because it shows me how it really is possible to socialize without eating and drinking bad things. I can still have a great time.

So far this detox has been easier than I expected and the changes I've seen are above expectation. What a great way to start the year!

I really like the daily emails, very motivational and I'm learning a lot. Was wondering if you could share the kale cake recipe?

Hi Ariane, this weekend has been so good food wise!

I was home a lot yesterday and did not cave in once to all the junk around me.

Usually when I am home a good part of the day, it can get ugly! :)

Is it really possible that I have lost 7 lbs? Hell, I would be really happy.

I don’t know if my scale was right last night, but I weighed myself around 6pm (the time we weighed on tuesday!) and it said 187.

I'll check again tonight though before I get too happy. :)

Belly flatter, mind clearer, clothes looser, appetite GONE! What you like to (euphemistically) call “digestion” is much, much more regular. I need to work on snacks – I know it – I’m not sure why but this is hard for me

Omg, I have been feeling so great and yes, jeans feels a little looser due to less bloating and I am happy to feel more energetic but what the heck is going on with today's sugar craving? I was hoping after day 3 they would be less but today is the worst ever. I am trying to figure out why and all I can think of is that I have been doing homework and sitting in front of the computer all day.... otherwise I am feeling great and so glad to be going back to eating healthy and working out again.

My teammate and I have been in constant contact, which has been quite nice. I love all the detox info you are sending us. It's interesting and quite helpful.  I can't say that I am doing this exactly as I should be. If I were eating fish/chicken, etc. it would be much easier. I hope to try tofu this week.........my days have been very hectic and I haven't even had a chance to get to the supermarket. Have been stopping at the salad bar on the way home for salad, soup, veggies.   I have lost 3 lbs which brings me to 120 lbs -- I haven't been this weight in 2 years!! I feel like I need to put more emphasis on upper body weight training -- hope to implement that this week as well.  

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1 kale cake with carrots and cucumber, double shot of ginger
2 coffees with almond milk

this is half-eaten breakfast, sorry....

Lunch: Chicken soup and 1 kale cake
Snack: Guacamole, salsa, oat crackers (not the ideal detox food)
Dinner: Protein shake with almond milk, pretzels (total cheat and not ideal)

Exercise: walk in the woods (can't really call that exercise)
Supplements: Fish Oil, multivitamin, metabolic advantage
Water: 3 liters of water and tea
Notes: I was more relaxed about food today. The crackers and pretzels aren't really supposed to be in my diet, but I was craving something crunchy and I decided to have it

Detox Day 4: Exploring the Goodness of the Countryside

2012-01-08T09:08:00.000-05:00

Saturday was spent filming some of my favorite spots upstate for the German documentary show. We went to my favorite healthy food store and breakfast place where they grow and sell their own veggies. The breakfast bar serves food that is delicious and simply pure and clean. I always leave feeling like I've done something good for myself. The show's producer was feeling under the weather after sleeping in a room much too dry from the heat, so I ordered him a double shot of ginger. Watching his face as he was trying to get it down was hilarious. Within minutes though he felt unblocked and wide awake. The power of placebo or the power of ginger? Well, it didn't stop there. I had to introduce him to my famous kale cakes and everyone on the crew enjoyed them. Kale isn't a popular veggie in Germany. I remember hating it every time it was put on the dinner table. Now, I love it. How taste buds can change... The producer was also quite keen on getting Ariane's 5-minute version of fat loss and sitting at a breakfast bar with amazing foods was the perfect spot to give him a hands-on explanation of what to eat. We ordered a protein shake made with almond milk and avocado and while it wasn't as good as my own, it hit the spot and we convinced our new friend that shakes "don't taste like ass" (like some of you have told me before). On our way out we downed another shot of wheat grass and the world was healthy again :-)

We also shot at a beautiful resort and spa, at which I'm planning to offer classes and retreats on weekends. Once done with filming, everyone was treated to ice cream, which apparently was the best anyone had ever had. I can only imagine because I didn't have any, of course. And, I didn't even want it. Ice cream is one of those foods that not only makes me all congested and moody, but it drops my blood sugar faster than anything else. Trust me, don't feed me ice cream.

Since the resort houses the world's largest kaleidoscope we were invited to a show. While lying on the floor and staring up a 60 ft high silo (that's how high up up the show takes place) we enjoyed watching the history of the US play out in front of us. It's hard to explain, so I taped a little for you to see.

We finished shooting a few scenes in Woodstock (we saw a woman wearing horns - don't ask - it's Woodstock) and at my house and once done all I wanted was just to enjoy the evening and relax.

Food challenges were non-existing today. I felt that day 3 was certainly 10x better than last time around when I spent my first weekend surrounded by people who were drinking booze and eating lots of sugar. This time around I feel so much more connected to what I need and less drawn into what people around me do. So, bring on the chocolate cake. Put the wine in front of me. Dip my head into ice cream and I won't even lick my lips!

Food Diary:
Breakfast: Egg Frittatta, coffee with almond milk, mini protein shake with almond milk
2nd Breakfast: 2 Kale Cakes, shot of ginger, protein shake made with almond milk
Lunch: Egg Sandwich with cheese (didn't realize it until I bit into it. Wasn't what this gal ordered)
Snack: Kale Cakes (hey, once I start on those puppies, there's no return)
Dinner: Grilled chicken, grilled salmon, grilled asparagus, bell peppers, steamed carrots and broccoli

Supplements: None
Exercise: None
Water: 2.5 liters