Bride To Be? Look Fabulous In Your Wedding Dress Without The Diet

So, you’ve gotten engaged? While bliss & happiness should be the overwhelming emotion, too often stress, anxiety & crazzzzzziness follow as venue seeking, invitations, & finding the perfect dress become top priority. Not to mention all the calorie couting, dieting, and deprivation to ensure we actually LOOK perfect in that perfect dress. Well, imagine there was was a way to look and feel fabulous in that dress without all of the diet nonsense? Well the ladies over at Bon Appetit Bride have figured out a way to eat the foods you love, and cook yourself thin for your wedding day!

4 Secrets To How You Can Have Your Cake, And Eat It Too!

#1 Focusing on looking “thin and perfect for one day” will set you up to fail.
Our culture and our peers put a lot of pressure on us to be the “perfect” bride.  Naturally we focus all of our energy on losing weight so we look good for just one day, but what happens is that we adopt weight loss tactics that we can’t stick to for more than a week!  If we are successful in losing 20 pounds for the wedding by depriving and torturing ourselves, we’re guaranteed to gain it back on the honeymoon.  Instead of asking yourself “What do I want to looking like on my wedding day?” ask yourself, “What kind of woman do I want to be when I am married?”  Focus on changing your lifestyle habits slowly, so they will become a natural part of your everyday life.  That way when you show up on your wedding day, you have made healthy changes to your life and body that will last you a lifetime.

#2 The key to cooking healthy foods in a time crunch is learning to cook basic meals with clever swap-outs.
Pizza has a bad rap, but with the right ingredients it’s a quick and easy meal that doesn’t have to overload you.  Instead of gobs of mozzarella cheese, try just a little grate on a micro plane (fine grate) with hard robust cheeses like: Gruyere, Parmesan or Manchego cheese. Swap out processed meat like pepperoni, for unprocessed meat like organic chicken. If you love pasta, then roast up some spaghetti squash and go to town on that bad boy! Spaghetti squash is to die for with nutmeg, cinnamon and olive oil.  To make any old meal taste decadent, learn to use spices like smoked paprika, herbed lemon pepper, granulated garlic, ginger and dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary.  It really bumps up the flavor of any dish, without any extra fat!

#3 Trying to have the perfect diet 100% of the time is the best way to gain weight.
Naturally, as brides we think that in order to lose the maximum amount of weight for the wedding, we need to be “perfect” 100% of the time.  But the reality is that when we strive for perfection in every bite we are setting ourselves up for a major overeating fest.  When you take one bite of something “bad”, you start on the familiar rant of “I broke-down, I’m a failure, I’m never going to lose weight!”  You think you might as well keep eating since you messed up anyways, plus you are feeling so low that you eat to sooth yourself.  If you just strive to eat a healthy diet 80% of the time, then you are much less likely to get completely de-railed and your overall diet will be more nutritious.  The reality is that an amazing cookie here or there or decadent ice cream once in a while is absolutely no big deal in the grand scheme of a healthy diet.  Enjoy those foods with guiltless pleasure knowing that your 80% plan is the best way to support your weight loss goal

#4 Taking things one day at a time is the best recipe for success.
Just like learning to ride your bike when you were a kid, you will fall, or as we say in diet-land, fall off the wagon. But that is one hundred percent normal and expected! Take one right action everyday, and if find your flailing, dust your self off and get right back up again.  They key is to take baby steps, and start with the easy stuff like: making a grocery list and sticking to it, cook a few times a week with your fiancé, add in one more day a week of working out, drink plenty of water, go to bed one hour earlier, and most importantly have a positive attitude.  All the small right actions will add up to big change and will set up to be a radiant, confident breathtaking bride.

About Bon Appetit Bride

Sarah Jenks, nutrition coach, emotional eating expert and founder of the Breathtaking bride, and Candice Kumai Healthy Lifestyle Chef, Food TV host and founder of StilettoChef.com are the women behind Bon Appétit Bride, 6-week course combining cooking instruction and nutrition coaching to help brides become a master in the kitchen and a knock out in your wedding dress.  For more information  and to reserve your spot for the November 8^th course please visit BonAppetitBride.com.

Beyond Aphrodisiacs: 5 Food Strategies for a Better Love Life

Is there a magic food to rev up your libido?

We’ve all heard of aphrodisiacs – which are wonderful and very powerful – but if certain other aspects of your diet and endocrine system are not balanced, chances are you won’t feel a thing just from eating oysters.

So what foods can boost your libido and improve your love life?

Foods that support your adrenals and rev up your libido are those that keep your blood sugar balanced, your mood stabilized, and your cortisol levels low, while naturally upping DHEA production.

If these factors aren’t in place, you are probably feeling tired, depressed, foggy-headed, having difficulty sleeping, getting frequent colds, or some combination of them. Not only from a nutritional perspective will this weaken your sex drive, but also from an emotional perspective – you just won’t have the capacity to thrive.

So get started on the road to better health and a better love life.

Here are the 5 food strategies you MUST know about!

1. Switch to decaf – Caffeine first thing in the morning will zap the life out of your adrenals, leaving you even more tired at that 3 or 4pm lull. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, start by switching to decaf or green tea, then eventually switch over to herbal teas.
2. Skip the salad at lunch– That’s right! Contrary to popular belief that salads at lunch are the healthy way to go, depriving your body of a whole grain carbohydrate source at lunchtime will bring on sweet cravings later in the day and disturb your blood sugar balance. So throw some brown rice into your salad bowl, or eat a sandwich or sushi rolls.
3. Take shortcuts with your snacks – Instead of mindlessly munching Cheerios or fruit snacks with your kids, keep balanced snacks around for yourself. Always have on hand protein sources like: organic sliced turkey breast (which provides the building blocks for mood stabilization), whole hard boiled eggs, canned salmon and sardines (skip the tuna! Too much mercury and not enough EFAs). Whole grain quick fixes include: Mary’s Gone Crackers and precooked brown rice bowls from Trader Joes. And don’t forget about sliced veggies with peanut butter or hummus!
4. Nourish your adrenal glands with supportive foods – Load up on sea vegetables (nori, hijiki, dulse, kelp – which come in flakes that you can easily sprinkle onto your food), black sesame seeds, black and kidney beans. These foods work to nourish your tired adrenals.
5. Get in your Essential Fatty Acids – Especially if you’re breast feeding, your body can be starved of the EFAs, essential for mood stabilization. If you can’t get in things like avocado, salmon, nuts and seeds, then take a fish oil or flax oil supplement.

Top Photo: Flickr

5 Ways To Think Happy

We all know that life spent navigating the hectic pace of New York City can be overwhelming, even frustrating. I ran into a friend the other day, and when I asked how she was doing, I got a shrug and an “eh…” like she was some crotchety old grandpa about to tell me about her sciatica. Apparently the city had been wearing on her. But why let it be a buzzkill? Life is way too short to be kvetchy.

If you ask me, Groucho Marx had it right: “Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead; tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

Of course, we’re only human; I, too, get into ruts, succumb to fits of rage and have my fair share of meltdowns. I am Jewish, after all, and I fight my neurotic, negative tendencies every day. I think Moses must have included these lovely traits with the Ten Commandments when he passed them down to my people.

Here are some techniques that keep me focused on happy, calming thoughts. And yes, unicorns, rainbows and cute little black dresses are included.

Focus on What You’ve Got
You can’t afford your favorite sushi restaurant, the pressure of the holidays is getting to you and the last time you cuddled with someone you liked, Obama was still popular. Well, we all have our share of inconveniences. But what in your life is going right? When you put your energy toward dwelling on what’s wrong, you get stuck there. Instead, focus on the good things you have going on. Soon you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll also draw more good things your way. Having trouble finding a few things to be grateful for? Hot showers and sugared cereal count!

Lose (the Illusion of) Control
Dharma Punx leader Josh Korda once explained to me why we get so down and out in the big city. He said we base our identity on things that are constantly changing: work, friends, our bodies… Everything in life is constantly in motion and out of our control. Korda’s advice? Let it all roll around you, but base your true identity on your deeper self. Really, the only thing you can control is the way you react to the changes around you. So sit back, flow with the chaos around you and don’t let it make you nuts.

Forget Your Goals
We put so much pressure on ourselves to be the best, the smartest and the fastest. When we fall short, boy do we get cranky. Not even Superman himself could be the perfect hero. Yoga principles teach us to be goalless, which might make any city-dweller go mad. But what if your goal every day were to feel joy or simply to be content? You might be surprised to find your greatest achievements grow from that peace.

Endorphin It Up
Sure, you can drink all night, but exercise and yoga give you the same or better effects naturally. Serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, is released in your brain when working out. Yoga shifts life’s energy around in your body so that you’re in balance, which leaves you feeling happy and slightly stoned. Nothing wrong with that! Throw in a little meditation and green juice and you’ve got yourself a lovely, happy-go-lucky cocktail.

Be in the Now
You’ve heard it a million times on “Oprah” and from Eckhart Tolle, who writes, “Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now.” We are only stressed when we are thinking about our future and past. If you concentrate on the present, you’re golden! This moment creates the next, then that next moment creates the following one, and like a domino effect, you’re on the right path.

Life’s too short (or too long, for that matter) to feel miserable. Only you have the power to redirect yourself into the feel-good Now.

V’s Corner: Yoga Teacher Training Week One (hola from Mexico!)

One week through my Yoga Teacher Training here at the beautiful Present Moment Retreat in Troncones Mexico. Our first week was filled with fun, introspection, surf, sand,  practice, poses, meditation, and lots of OMs!

This first week there were plenty of asanas (poses) but the real focus was on the spiritual aspect of yoga. Yoga after all means connection– connection to breath, connection to others, and connection to what lies within us. For many the physical practice is what allows us then to really relax–to quiet the business in their head and just “be”.  I know for me this is why I fell in love with yoga. It was one of the few things were I could quiet my chatty mind and let go of all that was going on there, and really connect in to what I know is true and important. Sometimes in the craziness of life (especially in a frantic city like NY) we get caught up in our thoughts, our issues, and in all the incidentals in our life, and lose focus on what’s truly important.

Cleansing also came into play this week— physically, mentally and emotionally. We discussed things like letting go and giving up the things that don’t serve us, for these cover our truth and only through shedding layers can it truly and fully experienced. School Yoga Institute uses the Sadhana Yoga tradition which focuses on spiritual practice and was what attracted me to this training program. We’ve delved into a variety of meditation practices, chanted and talked all about methods that can help us further turn inward.

A physical cleanse also went along with it all, and I experienced my first “raw” cleanse (only taking in foods that are uncooked and pure–no preservatives, etc). Luckily for this crunchy, salad eating, hummus loving yogi, it wasn’t at all jilting. Sure I gave up my coffee with cream and brown rice and cooked veggies, but there were SO many delicious, creative dishes here at Present Moment that I never felt like I was missing out. Big tropical fruit plates, coconut salads, sprouted quinoa and a plethora of made-to-order smoothies and healthy juices. I certainly never felt deprived, and I was amazed at how light and bright and energetic I was. GO raw! Aside from the clay drink we also took down twice daily, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

So, all in all it was a great week. I’ll chat more about what’s happening on the mat next post. I’ve got my first “test” tomorrow, and a 6am daily wake up so this yogi must go to bed. It’s all good though, and I am actually amazed at how much I already know about the different poses, alignments and adjustments. It’s definitely already deepened my practiced and I can’t believe that I’ve learned a whole hatha sequence (class) in less than a week! It’s definitely been a riguourous program, but one that has been so worth the investment.

Until next week…

Namaste!

WANT TO JOIN A SYI TRAINING? SAVE $100 USING PROMO CODE HSNY!

NYC Moms: Ready To Get Out & Play?

Ah, Spring. The weather is warming up, the trees blooming, and everyone is ready to get outside and play. If you’re a mom in the big city, we’ve found some great options for you and the kids! From workouts to playgrounds, NYC offers many great outdoor activities that everyone will enjoy.

If you’re looking to get a good workout in while still spending time with your little one,  Stroller Strides may be the program you’re looking for! Stroller Strides is a franchise company with locations all over the map. Essentially, it consists of a group of moms and their babies (in their strollers, of course), who participate in a 60 minute workout of power walking and body toning exercises, led by a specialized instructor. All you need is yourself, your baby and your stroller – and let’s face it, you have to haul your stroller everywhere you go anyway! Visit http://www.strollerstrides.com/ to find one of the many classes that take place in all areas of the city!

If you’re eager to give your child as well as yourself a fun, hands-on and educational experience, you may consider heading to the zoo! There are few kids out there who do not find themselves absolutely thrilled and intrigued in seeing and meeting adorable and interesting animals! The Prospect Park Zoo features mammals, reptiles and amphibians from all over the world. There are daily feedings and shows to catch, as well as some specialized seasonal exhibits, along with all the regular zoo favorites. This is definitely an activity that both moms and kids will learn something and enjoy!

Another idea could be venturing down to the Brooklyn Bridge Park! With many different expansions on the horizon for the next year or so, one still can’t argue that the view the park offers is absolutely beautiful! The Cove in Brooklyn Bridge Park is breathtaking and is a great beach walking spot for the warmer months. In the upcoming summer months, free movies will be played every Thursday night at the newly renovated Pier 1! The “Main Street Lot” houses a nautical themed park and playground area for kids and families too. Everyone can enjoy and tire themselves out while using the climbers, running around and playing in the sandbox for the day! To fully discover what the Brooklyn Bridge Park has to offer, see their website: http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/

One hidden spot that you may not have even thought of to take the little ones is the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. As the farmhouse itself dates back to the late 18th century, the museum works to tell the story of the transformation from farming community to the urban neighborhoods we now live in. With a full calendar of events such as tours and “History Play Dates” geared specifically towards kids, along with a garden full of beauty and history, the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum may be the perfect spring activity for yourself and the kids! For more information and museum hours, visit http://www.dyckmanfarmhouse.org/

Forgiveness: 10 Quick Ways to Let Go & Move Forward

Spring is here, a time for renewal and new life. There is no better time to talk about forgiveness and fresh starts. Whether mending relationships, letting go of hurt, or just going a bit easier on ourselves, now is the perfect time to let go of the old and focus on the new. Rebecca Friese Rodskog gives 10 easy tips on forgiving and moving forward.

Ugh……I can’t believe I said that to him.…I screwed up that presentation.…I didn’t work out all week.…I should have called.

Are the voices in your head constantly running down a list of things that you didn’t do quite as well as you were hoping (or what you think others were expecting)?  Then you fall into the great, great category of women who are way too hard on themselves.

You might think this is no big deal – it makes you perform better the next time, right?  Well, no, it does not, and it IS a big deal.  Constantly focusing on the negative buries you in guilt and negativity, and brings more of it your way.  In addition, it actually creates barriers for you to accomplish all that you might have if you had a more positive, supportive attitude.  Also, let us not forget that the state of constant stress you put yourself in by never being “good enough” is a surefire way to do actual harm to you mentally and physically, in ways we are just beginning to understand.

Sadly, it’s become almost fashionable to be self-deprecating.  In a world where performance appraisals focus on the negative/needs to improve more than the “praise” part, we get used to pointing out our faults.  But holding on to the things you did wrong (whether real, semi-real or imagined) can stop you dead in your tracks on any road to success.  It’s like throwing a big anchor on your ankle and trying to run.

Forgiveness is one of the five tenets I discuss with my clients – the others include Love, Gratitude, Communication, and Integrity.

I grew up a (good) Catholic girl, learning that Forgiveness is the key to living a spiritually enlightened life.  However, they never taught us that the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.  Here are 10 quick ways to begin to become aware of what you are saying to yourself, and to letting yourself off the hook once in a while.

10 Quick Ways to LET IT GO

1. Start tuning in to your thoughts.  Keep a notebook with you and try to write down each negative one you have for a day.  Once you’ve become more aware of your thoughts, try to say it out loud, as if you were talking to yourself at 5 years old.  Hopefully your tone will start to change.
2. Tell others. Sharing what you are trying to do with friends and significant others will keep you motivated.  Tell them you will give them a dollar for each negative, self-deprecating thing you say about yourself.
3. Evaluate fairly.  If you are reviewing your performance after something (a presentation, a phone call), go ahead and write out the pros and cons instead of just running through the negative stuff in your head.  For the stuff that you were not happy with, make a mini-improvement plan for the next time and then let it go.  Try to end with the things you did well, like “kept my mouth shut when my co-worker made a stupid comment!”
4. Work it out. Go on a walk or a run and really listen to your thoughts.  Ask yourself “is this feedback real, or imaginary, or somewhere in between”.  Sometimes we don’t even realize that things we are saying to ourselves.
5. Talk it out. Talk to your significant other or best friend about something in particular that you’re upset with.  Usually, once said aloud, the thing we are beating ourselves up about becomes much smaller, and your friend may even have a similar story to share which makes you both feel better!
6. Write a positive list. One way to bring your best to light is to write them down. Start to list of the things that make you awesome (my one client calls it “My Awesomeness”).  When you are having a particularly brutal feedback session with yourself, pull it out and remind yourself of how awesome you are.
7. Seek support. Reach out to the people who love you. Whether it’s your mom, dad, or someone else who loves you for all your faults.  Try to see yourself through their eyes.
8. Eat ice cream. I don’t know, it just always makes me feel better.  But then don’t beat yourself up about it, okay?
9. Laugh.  Fake it at first, and then watch it catch! It is hard to be mean to yourself when you’re laughing!
10. Forgive.  Forgive yourself for all your blunders, and love yourself because of them.

5 Ways To Get Happy, Like Now.

Happiness is nothing but a state of mind. If you are not happy? Perhaps you just need to re-think that framework in your brain.

 

Spring Clean Up: Make Your Home A Haven

Your home should be your haven, your place of peace from the stress in the world around you.  Here are 10 simple & fun ways to add some “soul sparkle” to your domain…

1. Choose décor colors carefully. Pick colors that are conducive to what you want your space to be. If you want a serene room, stray away from red! Red is an energizer and may even stimulate your appetite! Greens are calming colors, perfect for a spa-inspired setting. Or, if you want a cross between calm and amped up, choose a shade of blue.

2. Rid energy drainers:  fill holes, fix a squeak, or replace bulbs and batteries for a clean, updated look, and you’ll feel so much better.

3. Circles mean harmony and unity, so make sure you have a circle (wreath) on your door or even inside your home.

4. Choose a meaningful mug or plate. Using something special to eat off or drink out of is a great way to savor the food or drink.

5. Connect with nature. Being outdoors, having lunch outside, or even if it’s just to sit on your porch and watch the birds for a few minutes while you sip your morning coffee, is a huge lift to an overburdened spirit.

6. Take the day “off” and lounge in sweats all day.

7. Get dressed to the nines for no reason.

8. Have a carpet picnic with your significant other. Pick out a nice blanket, fill up a picnic basket with goodies, pour some wine, and stay in for a fun night at home.

9. Clear out your closets, basements, and drawers to make your home as clutter-free as possible. Use boxes to separate yard sale finds, items to donate, things you can re-purpose, and the junk that hits the recyclable bins.

10. Make a picture and hang it in a beautiful frame. Homemade artwork rocks!

Bonus Soul Sparkler!! Once you’ve read a book, write a note in the cover about your thoughts on it, your favorite part, something personal. Create a book-giveaway basket, and every time someone enters your home have them pick a random book without looking inside- whatever they choose is the message he/she is supposed to receive.

Photo: Flickr

Solace In The City: Meditation Hot Spots

Seems like everywhere I go, people are talking up the topic of meditation. People want to be able to sit still but have no idea how to start. They hear it’s good for you, like vitamins or massage, but are anxious about how it all works.

MommyStyle: Mirror, Mirror Two Feet Tall….

This morning I turned around to see my 16 month old blowing her nose into a tissue (or trying to) about 10 seconds after I had just done the same. Where she found the tissue I have no idea, but, nonetheless, there she was holding it up to her nose, sniffing in and out and gazing up at me with big eyes.

This little act hit me hard. Not the fact that she can blow her own nose (although, mind you, she is brilliant), but how much of little mirror she can be. It suddenly made me realize she is watching my every move, taking them all in and using them as a guide on how she should be acting.

Now, of course, we all know parenthood is a big responsibility, but suddenly the magnitude of my influence hit me. Watching that little being blow her nose, instantly put me in check. It made me realize how careless I can be sometimes– whether getting my “feathers ruffled” over silly things, complaining when really it does no one any good, or just not showing enough gratitude. Fact is, she’s watching me (and learning from me) ALL the time.

Aria my mirror. All two feet tall of her. She makes me want to be more patient and kind, less stressed and more generous. She makes me want to be more mindful and better in every way. And, never has there been a better reason to.

Mirror, mirror, two feet tall….

What are you teaching your little ones?

 

 

 

More mindful mornings with Aria