Spiralizing. Or how to pretend you are eating pasta when you are not.

If you are anything like me, you are always trying to eat something that will make you:
a) satisfied
b) happy
c) not gain weight

Unfortunately, white pasta (in large quantities), only satisfies two out of three requirements. That is the biggest reason why I am a big fan of spiralized vegetables, or 'wannabe' pasta. This amazing modern-day creation, makes it possible to make green vegetables look and act like they are carb-loaded spaghetti. Unfortunately, no matter how much you want to, you will not be fooled that you are eating elbows while eating zucchini. BUT, you can either mix your real pasta with the spiralized 'wannabe' pasta, or just get all health-conscious and proud about making better choices. Totally up to you.

Say hello to the Spiralizer. This nifty thing will make any fruit or vegetable (firm enough) into gorgeous spirals that can be cooked, mixed, baked, dressed or eaten as is. A spiralizer can be bought at any major home/hardware store (Walmart, Canadian Tire, Bed Bath & Beyond etc) or ordered online (Ebay, Amazon etc) for as little at $19.99.

In an attempt to make a vegetable traffic light I spiralized zucchini, carrots and radishes. It only took me an hour to realize that I mixed up the colours. But you get the point.

Ideas about what you can make with spiralized vegetables are endless. 'Pasta' dishes, salads, casseroles, snacks and stir-fries. One of my favourite ways of eating spiralized zucchini is:

"Fake Shrimp Scampi"

-Spiralize firm green or yellow zucchini
-Clean and de-vein a portion of large shrimp
-Sautee some garlic in a non-stick pan without oil or butter
-Add shrimp and cook until done
-Add parsley
-Add zucchini
-Warm through and serve

With Love,
M

How to lose 50 pounds in one week!

Caught your attention, didn't I?

Let me guess, you have tried every diet out there: the cabbage soup diet; the apple vinegar and cayenne pepper (holy crap) diet; the liquid diet; the cucumber and apple diet: the Japanese diet... And even if you had the determination to actually follow through with the crazy requirements and lost some weight, did you gain it back quicker than I can type 'told you so'?

Here comes a reality check - you cannot lose a lot of weight fast and keep it off. Unless you are willing to gain it all (and then some) back.
Yes, Im sure.
Absolutely certain.
Unless, of course, you are willing to cut off a leg.

The issue with any diet is the fact that it is a DIET. Plain and simple. You can follow it to the T, but you cannot live your life on a diet. You cannot drink the suicidal concoction of vinegar and pepper until the day you die. Unless you want that day to happen in the nearest future. If your plan is to be healthy, live a long and happy life and be the best you can be - you need to realize that there is no quick fix. Moreover, imagine for a second how incredibly boring a life without cupcakes and wine would be? I don't know about you, but that is not a life I find worth living.

As such, let us forget about fast and simple and choose healthy and worthwhile. Let's start with understanding that food is as much fuel as it is enjoyment. It plays an integral part in our lives: from social gatherings and family meals to romantic evenings and kids parties. Instead of dreading every meal, let us start with understanding what our bodies need and how we can provide it.

By treating ourselves with respect, by understanding nutritional and physical needs and by taking care of our psychological wellbeing, we can establish a healthy lifestyle where food is not something dreadful and pounds are not only something to be lost.

I will write more about calorie and macronutrient counting, about energy in / out and about tips and tricks on how to lose weight and not your mind. But I wanted to start with the simple truth that in order to lose - you need to first gain:
Gain self respect not to starve or binge.
Gain knowledge to know what to do and when to seek help.
Gain Courage to challenge yourself and take the road to a better You.

With Love,

M