If Only Weight Loss Was THIS Easy!

Wouldn't it be GREAT if weight loss was as simple as holding up a blow-dryer and melting away unwanted pounds?  With the concentrated and careful application of heat, you could take as much as you want off your hips, thighs, belly and butt!

Sigh. If only............

You know and I know that weight loss is not and never will be that easy! And all those products and programs out there PROMISING miracles might deliver quick results, but they never last! As soon as you go back to your regular way of eating, you gain everything back. And then some.

Why? 

*  You simply cannot exist FOREVER taking products or following strict rules or plans. You might try, but I can guarantee that 99.9 of the time, you won't succeed.  I know it feels terrific to finally be thin and the familiar saying - Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels -  is definitely true, but can you honestly live the rest of your life without ever enjoying a slice of homemade bread? Or a piece of pie? Seriously? That's not living! That's bondage. And you're basically trading one obsession for another: Your obsession with food with the obsession to stay thin!  If you know anything about obsessions - they very rarely ever end well.....

*  You're not learning anything! You're just depending on a particular product or program to help you achieve your desired results, but you never really get into the who, what, where, why and how of  your weight problem or your reasons for overeating, indulging, your particular food cravings and your unhealthy relationship with food.  You're not just overweight because you eat too much. I wish it was as easy as telling you to JUST EAT LESS, but it isn't always that simple. There are reasons why you are eating too much! If you don't dive deeper and discover those reasons, you will never win your battle with weight!

I am not saying you shouldn't try certain products or programs. I am constantly recommending David Sandoval's Ten Day Celebrity Transformation. It's an amazing program and you will  become healthier and lose weight! As long as a product or a program is not dangerous for your health, give it a shot. If you really want to lose the weight PERMANENTLY however, find a nutritionist or professional weight loss consultant willing to work with you as you try those products and programs so you will not only lose weight, but also address your issues, goals and concerns, and develop a PLAN you can live with for the rest of your life!

This December 1st - December 30th, I am offering a Holiday Special called New Year! New You! This is a one month version of my intense Ultimate Weight Loss Program that combines an incredible product along with the support you need from a trained, professional health, wellness and weight loss consultant. That's me. I am offering this program at a very special price, so don't hesitate! This might be the best present you will ever give to yourself.  If someone asks you what you want as a gift for the holidays, tell them THIS!  Or perhaps you have someone in mind who would love this as a gift!

Go here for more details and check out the Holiday Special --> New Year! New You!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Gorgeous Garlic Grilled Tomatoes!

Photo from Food Network.com

I adore home grown tomatoes and I just gathered the last ones still clinging to the vine in my garden. The trouble is, I can't eat them fast enough and I don't want them to go to waste. Here's a great recipe for ripe tomatoes. Season them with garlic and toss them on the grill. DELICIOUS!

Here's how...

What you need:

4 red, ripe tomatoes
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 Tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
5 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves
Parmigiano-Reggiano or your favorite Vegan alternative.

What to do:

Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise, season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook until just starting to turn golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the garlic and oil into a heatproof bowl.

Lightly oil your grill and set for high heat. Place the tomatoes cut side down and grill for 3 to 5 minutes. Turn them over, top with the garlic-oil mixture and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from grill and top with the thyme leaves and sprinkle with a bit of the grated cheese. Serve immediately with crusty whole grain french bread.

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Fantastic Flavonols!

Chocolate lovers have a new reason to indulge in their favorite treat! 

A recent study finds that cocoa could help memory loss. In a new study, researchers from Columbia University analyzed the brains of 37 participants ages 50 - 69 and tested their memory. The researchers teamed up with Mars. Inc. to create a drink with 900 mg. of flavonols, the compound found in cocoa.

The researchers asked half the participants to consume the drink every day for three months. The other half consumed only 10 mg of the drink each day, the equivalent of a quarter of a chocolate candy bar. The group that consumed the drink rich in flavonols had increased visual memory and increased activity in the part of the brain that is known to be affected in memory loss linked with old age.  Read more about the study here: Cocoa Could Help Memory Loss

This is good news when it comes to helping prevent memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease, but before you start overdosing on chocolate, keep in mind that 900 mg. of flavonols is a tremendous amount and to rely on chocolate alone to provide those flavonols will do more damage to your health, wellness and weight loss efforts than good. It doesn't matter which type of chocolate you eat (I always encourage my clients to indulge in one small square of good dark chocolate every day), it is loaded with sugar and fat. To get the equivalent of 900 mg. of flavonol, you would have to eat 25 chocolate bars a day!

Sorry, chocoholics! This is not a license to eat huge quantities of chocolate! 

So what good is all that research? Well... hopefully, it will inspire you pay more attention to flavonols and make sure you getting plenty in your daily diet. 

What the heck are flavonols anyway?   

They are phytochemicals found in plants. One of the biggest groups of phytochemicals, called flavonoids, is so huge, that it’s further categorized into several other groups. Flavonols are the most abundant in the flavonoid family and according to research, they are active antioxidants that may protect your health through their ability to fight inflammation and neutralize free radicals.

Think of flavonols as your weapon to fight against arthritis, heart disease, cancer and now, according to the recent studies, memory loss! 

Where else can you find flavonols?

Yellow onions are the best sources, followed by leeks, cherry tomatoes, broccoli and blueberries. Other good choices include apricots, apples, black grapes, green beans and tomatoes. Black tea, green tea, and red wine also contain flavonols, and, of course, chocolate!

Include these foods in your daily diet and you'll be sure to get a good, healthy dose of flavenols!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Snack on This: Roasted Cauliflower!

If you're looking to snack on something, why not try roasted cauliflower? It's so easy to make, delicious and it actually does your body good!

First, let me rave about all the health benefits of cauliflower!

Cauliflower is cruciferous vegetable like cabbage and broccoli.  Adding plenty of cruciferous vegetables to your diet can help prevent the risk of some cancers because they're loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients that may help neutralize damaging toxins.

That right there should be enough to convince you to start snacking on cauliflower, but wait! There's more!

Cauliflower contains the second highest amount of glucosinolates, after broccoli. Cauliflower's pungent smell and flavor? Glucosinolates. They're sulfur-containing compounds that actually help get your body's detoxification system going. When you chew, the glucosinolates break down into their active form, which triggers the detoxification process.

Looking to detox? Eat cauliflower! 

Cauliflower is also fat free and very low in calories, but rich in fiber and potassium! One cup of chopped raw cauliflower contains 320 mg of potassium and only 27 calories. A medium banana contains 422 mg of potassium, but 105 calories!

Add cauliflower to your salads. Mash it and serve just like mashed potatoes. And definitely roast it and eat is as a snack.

And... Turmeric? How I love thee!

Turmeric is one of the most valuable spices around!  It's known for its potential ability to heal. I use it all the time in soups, stews, rice dishes, scrambled tofu, roasted veggies, etc. Turmeric has anti-cancer properties and helps promote brain health - think Alzheimer's prevention. You need to add this spice to your collection and use on a regular basis.

Combine cauliflower and turmeric together and you've got one delicious, disease-fighting,  fiber-rich, low fat, low calorie snack!

Here's the recipe:

Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower


What You Need:

1 head of organic cauliflower
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. turmeric
Pinch of cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Chop cauliflower head into florets.
3. Place cauliflower into a baking dish. Add olive oil, turmeric, cumin and salt then mix together.
4. Cover baking dish with foil and roast for about 35-40 min. Remove foil and cook for another 15 minutes.

This roasted cauliflower is so flavorful, you won't need dip. Just serve it on a big platter, fresh from the oven. Even if folks swear they hate cauliflower, they'll love this!

Enjoy!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Check out the Rear View! (A little info about your butt and how to get a better one)

Ladies, do you want a better butt? 

Some folks might be a bit too BUTT OBSESSED, but of course you want a better one! And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!

You want look great in your jeans. That clingy dress. Maybe you're tired of having to buy the bigger bikini bottom because your butt cheeks keep falling out of the smaller size. You don't want to keep squeezing into SPANX  to fake a better butt.  Ever wear those? I have. Made my butt appear all trim and toned, but the minute I took them off?  Inflatable raft is the only way to describe it.

A few years ago, I wore a very clingy dress to an event with my boyfriend and wanted to look perfect. I did, but later on, I had to run to the bathroom and quickly remove the SPANX  because I didn't want my boyfriend to know I needed them and I certainly didn't want him to take them off! That inflatable raft effect? Not attractive at all!  Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking SPANX. Use 'em if you need 'em. They're great as a temporary fix while you're losing weight and getting back into shape.

You will definitely feel so much better (and sexier) if your butt is firm and tight instead of soft, squishy or saggy. No crazy contraptions or special undergarments needed! 

Your rear view says a lot about you and your level of activity. You can immediately tell just how active a person is, simply by looking at their butt. Be honest. You look. You check out the butts on guys. It's an attraction thing.  Nice guy with a nice butt? That's the one you're gonna go for!  You also check out the girls. To see if theirs is better or worse than yours. And you can't help but experience a bit of butt envy, now and then.

It's okay. You can admit it. We're all adults here, but being an adult is a big part of the reason why your rear view might be less than appealing...... 

When you were younger, you never gave your butt a second thought. You were more active, so it stayed nice and firm. You ran.You jumped. You played.  And you didn't give a hoot about what your butt looked like. Here's the funny thing about your butt, though. When you really started paying more attention to it and realized other people where definitely checking yours out, is around the same time you stopped being so active. And not long after that, you started doing more adult things like working and sitting behind a desk all day. Driving everywhere. Even up to the corner store that happens to be within walking distance from your house.  You park in the space closest to the entrance of every place you go because you don't feel like walking halfway across the parking lot! You'll even sit in your car and wait until the right spot is available! You rarely get out there and play sports anymore. You watch them on TV or sit on the sidelines and watch your kids play. You spend more time in front of the computer. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. As an adult, you do an awful lot of sitting, don't you? 

Unless you consistently work out at the gym or have a regular exercise routine that includes targeting your butt,  it's going to bear the brunt of all that! And don't forget about aging. Everything, unfortunately, begins to droop as you age. Blame it on GRAVITY, but the truth is, you have to WORK your butt! And KEEP working it!

Your butt is a big muscle. Actually, it's made up of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the main buttock muscle and is the largest muscle of the body. When you stop working those muscles regularly, what happens? They get soft and eventually begin to sag.

Eww......

I remember the day I stepped out of the shower and caught a glimpse of my rear view in the mirror. One butt cheek was a little lower than the other! Yep! It was sagging and I panicked. I immediately began searching for ways to step up my regular exercise routine and whip that sagging butt cheek back into shape. And that's how I found Andrea Albright and got on her mailing list for the best butt exercises ever!

I love this particular butt exercise routine. No gym or expensive equipment needed.  It only takes 3 minutes. You can certainly spare 3 minutes to get a better butt, can't you? 

In this work out, you have to keep squeezing those butt muscles. It isn't easy, but SO worth it!  Do this quick routine every day or at least, every other day, and watch what happens!

I encourage you to check out all of Andrea's videos for your best butt EVER! I don't receive recognition or commission for mentioning or recommending her. I'm just spreading the good news because I think she totally ROCKS, her exercises are simple enough for anyone and they work! 

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia

xo

The Best and Easiest Oatmeal Ever! (it cooks while you sleep!)

Autumn is upon us and the mornings are definitely cooler. You're most likely craving warmer, stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts now. Oatmeal is perfect. It's healthy, low in fat and delicious, but who has time in their busy mornings to make that? And those packets of Instant Oatmeal? Ewww.......

Take out your slow cooker and wake up to delicious, hot oatmeal tomorrow!!

Here's how to do it:

Use long-cooking, or better yet, try steel-cut oats; they're firmer, and they get a little creamy in the slow-cooker. Put them in the slow cooker overnight with your choice of milk (regular or non-dairy) or water. (Follow oatmeal package directions for measurements). And don't forget to add salt! Oatmeal without a touch of added salt is just plain awful, so don't even try. A bit of salt isn't bad - it's all that salt in the processed, packaged and fast foods we eat that is the most harmful to us!

Now it's time to get creative! Add some spice to your oatmeal. Cinnamon and nutmeg are perfect with oatmeal. A splash of vanilla is delicious, too. Drizzle in some organic maple syrup for natural sweetness. Toss in a handful of chopped almonds or walnuts for extra protein and good fat. You can add dried fruit, like raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots, if you wish. Or fresh, cubed apples. The apples will cook along with the oatmeal.

Think NATURAL SWEETNESS over PROCESSED SUGAR.

Set it on low, let it cook overnight and in the morning you will wake up to a hot, nourishing bowl of oatmeal.

Perfection.

Just remember, tons of table sugar in your oatmeal pretty much defeats all the health benefits so, here's a little trick. The more spices and goodies you toss into it as it cooks, the less sugar you will need to add when you eat it. You might discover you don't need any extra sugar at all! If it doesn't taste sweet enough, try mixing in some banana slices or a handful of fresh blueberries before reaching for the sugar bowl.

I adapted this recipe from Nine Ways to Use Your Slow Cooker

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Yummy, Healthy, Late Night Dessert!

Now that Autumn is here and the nights are getting cooler, I've been spending more evenings indoors. I am not much a TV person, but I've become slightly addicted to British drama. As I sat last night wrapped up in my big comforter, watching the last episode in Season One of Happy Valley, (available on Netflix), I had the most intense sweet craving. It would not go away! I paused the show and began rifling through my cabinets looking for something sweet -  A cookie. A piece of chocolate. Anything. Of course, I already knew there was nothing of the sort here in my house, but I was hoping I would find something left over from when my son lived here with me. He moved to LA about a month ago.

No such luck. 

I stood there in my kitchen debating whether to make a quick run to the store or mix up a batch of homemade cookies. I didn't really want to go out ( I was so cozy in my PJ's and would have to get dressed again) and I didn't want to get involved in the mess of baking cookies at 10 PM. Not to mention, I certainly didn't need several dozen cookies in the house. I just wanted one or two. To enjoy with a cup of tea.

Maybe I need to curtail my viewing of all these British dramas. 

They're always having tea and sweets in those shows. 

Well.... you know the saying! Necessity is the Mother of Invention! 

Or in my case - Concoction! 

I decided to use what I had in the house and managed to whip up a healthy and 

incredibly delicious dessert in about 30 minutes.

Here's what I came up with: 

Baked Apples in Maple Almond Butter Sauce with Vanilla Coconut Yogurt!

Ingredients:

3 Organic Apples. 

I used Gala Apples. Any variety will do, but I wouldn't recommend Delicious or McIntosh apples.

Ground Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Natural Almond Butter. 

I used crunchy almond butter, but creamy is fine, too. Peanut Butter, Cashew Butter - any type of NATURAL nut butter works.

Organic Maple Syrup

Plain Coconut Water
You can use regular water in a pinch - you're just using it as a thinner for the sauce. I've been on a Coconut Water Kick lately and it's a little thicker than plain old water. Plain Almond or Soy milk will work, as well. 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Very lightly coat the bottom of a glass a 8 x 8 baking dish with oil or cooking spray. 

I used coconut oil cooking spray. 

Wash the apples and slice them - not too thin.

 I left the peels on my apples. That's where most of the fiber is, but it's your choice.

Pile the apples into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
No need to measure. Just sprinkle away. Cinnamon is good for you! 

Bake at 350, for about 20 minutes or until apples are soft.

In the meantime, make the sauce.

Put the almond butter into a small mixing bowl. Add about 2 -3 drops of maple syrup for sweetness and mix together with a spoon until blended.  

Lick the spoon! Yummy! Now, take out a new spoon or wash the one you just licked - more than once, I'm sure! 

Add a bit of coconut water to thin the Maple Nut Butter. You don't want it too watery, just thin enough to pour over the apples. Stir and keep adding the coconut water until you reach the desired consistency. I didn't measure, but I probably used less than  1/2  tablespoon of the coconut water. 

Drizzle the Maple Nut Butter Sauce over the baked apples and pop back into the oven for about 5 minutes. 

Serve warm, with a dollop of chilled Vanilla Coconut Yogurt. This is just vanilla-flavored yogurt made from coconut milk. Any type of vanilla yogurt will do.

Makes two delicious and satisfying servings. 

Enjoy! 

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia

xo

You Can Eat Cookies Every Day if You Make This Recipe!

You're welcome.  ;)

Cynthia
xo

Tip: Use good quality, organic dark chocolate chips. Here's one of my favorite brands - sweetened with cane juice instead of white, processed sugar.



  And my favorite peanut butter, with a hint of coconut! YUMMY!

 

Yummy, Homemade Kale Chips!!

I constantly rave about the health benefits of Kale and especially for those who exist on a plant-based diet or anyone interested in cutting back on animal products and eating healthier. As you can see from this info-graphic, kale contains more iron than beef and more calcium than milk. It's also loaded with Vitamin C. Kale is a staple in my kitchen. I eat it at least three times a week, especially during the Fall and Winter months.

Today, I made home made Kale Chips. I make these often and keep them around for those times I crave something crunchy and slightly salty.  Kale Chips keep me from reaching for snacks like potato chips or popcorn, which I love, but they're not so great for my health and wellness. If you are on a gluten-free diet or trying to cut back on carbs, these chips are perfect!

These are so easy and slightly addictive, but you can eat them. Without guilt! Here's how to make 'em!




Enjoy!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Change

As long as you are living; every day, every hour, every second is an opportunity for change. 

Change really isn't all that difficult

You just have to make a decision 

I am not going to be that person any more

I refuse to carry my fears, faults, failures, attitudes or habits 

with me into this next precious moment of life 

And if you stick with it 

no matter what

something wonderful happens......

You change.  Just like that!

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia

xo

The Effect of Negative Emotions on Your Health and Wellness!

Ever get so upset, you need to take a Tylenol because you have a headache? 

How about that aching, nagging pain in your in neck, back or shoulders 

after an argument with your  co-worker or spouse?  

What about worrying so much about a particular situation that your stomach actually becomes upset to the point that you're in and out of the bathroom? 

I know, gross, but.........

That is the direct impact of negative emotions on your physical body! 

What happens to us when we constantly entertain or express negative thoughts and emotions? Could we become a bundle of constant aches and pains and even sickness?
Something to think about..........

If you're suffering with aches and pains and ailments, 

they might not necessarily have a physical cause. It could all be mental!

 No, I don't mean it's all in your head. 

The pain is REAL and  you might want to pay attention to your negative thoughts and emotions! 

If you want to learn more, read this article:  The Effects of Negative Emotions

Throw Back Thursday!

I LOVE this!! 

It's never too late to begin your transformation! Not sure how or where to start? Let's chat..........

Contact me or schedule your FREE initial consultation today!

Are You Constantly Punishing Yourself for Mistakes or Slip-Ups?

It takes an awful lot of courage to completely dedicate yourself 

to a healthy lifestyle or a specific weight loss goal.

Don't punish yourself for mistakes or slip-ups. Perhaps you indulged a bit too much last night at Happy Hour or at dinner. Maybe you decided to trade your usual morning exercise routine for an extra hour or two of sleep.  So what? 

                 You haven't completely blown it and you definitely are NOT a failure! 

Do not give it a second thought. Focusing on what you think you did wrong or getting angry at yourself, does nothing to inspire and motivate you and can actually set you up for failure! So...STOP! 

The moment those types of thoughts enter your brain - DISMISS THEM! 

Tell yourself you will try again later or tomorrow! 

Treat yourself the way you would treat that one person you care for 

more than anyone else in the world!  

With love. Patience. Grace. Understanding.

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia

xo

I'm in Avocado Heaven!

A big bag of gorgeous avocados for under five bucks!  I am a very happy girl!

What am I gonna do with them? 

Check back tomorrow. I am going to share some of my favorite avocado recipes with you! 

In the meantime, read about GOOD FAT/BAD FAT and how avocados are DEFINITELY 
good fat!  Fat 101

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia

xo

Plant Seeds!

First tomato of the season from my dad's garden!

"Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature."  ~ Steve Maraboli

Wanna know all about the health benefits of tomatoes? Read this: Tomatoes for Dinner Tonight!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Go With Small and Simple For Life Changing Results!

Major, drastic changes rarely work. Not for long anyway.  Make one small change at a time. Over time, they will add up to your big Transformation!

Here are a few small and simple changes you can make today. Just pick one.

Choose a healthy lunch. 

Ask for whole wheat instead white bread at the deli when you order your sandwich. Choose mustard instead of mayo. Add some grilled veggies or lettuce and tomato to your sandwich. Pay a little extra and go for the health salad (made with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers) instead of the complimentary potato or macaroni salad that comes with your sandwich. Some places even have a healthier coleslaw made without all that mayo. Grilled chicken over a tossed salad is also a great choice for lunch. Better yet, skip the chicken and toss in some delicious vitamin packed, fiber rich beans like chick peas or kidney beans.

Take a walk.

A nice, brisk walk after lunch or during break time will get you out of your stuffy office. It will clear your head and get your heart pumping. You'll feel an instant burst of amazing energy. If you can't find the time during your work day, take a walk when you get home. Before or after dinner is perfect. If you can't handle the heat, go after sunset. Bring someone you love along with you and take some time to gaze at the stars.

Try a healthy snack when you feel that mid-afternoon slump.

When you start feeling that mid-afternoon brain-drain, don't reach for a candy bar, cookies or a cup of coffee to perk you up! Choose protein rich snacks like cheese, nuts or a POWER shake. Purium has a fantastic one and it's super easy to make. Just mix 2 scoops with water (coconut water is perfect), shake and enjoy! Purium's Power Shake

Treat yourself to something nice!

When was the last time you treated yourself to something special? A manicure, a pedicure, a professional blow-out at a salon? What about a facial, a massage or a Reflexology treatment? Treating yourself now and then is important your health and wellness. I know some of these things cost money. A regular manicure is about $10 and your nails will look great for a week, which will make you feel better. If you bring lunch to work for a day or two instead of buying, you can afford the manicure.

Really low on funds? There are things you can do that cost nothing at all.  How about an evening dip in the pool or even a soak in a cool bath? Instead of turning on TV immediately after dinner, sit back for about 20 minutes, listen to soothing music and sip seltzer with fresh fruit like sliced oranges or lemon and lime. Or you can have a glass of wine. White wine is cooling and refreshing. Red wine makes you warmer, so keep that in mind if you're looking to cool off. Slip into bed early with a good book. Just do anything that makes you feel special and relaxed.

These are Simple Changes that are healing to your mind, body and spirit. Tomorrow, do what you selected today and add one more simple change. The next day, add one more and so on. Then come up with your own simple changes!!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

There Are NO Miracle Cures, Pills or Potions for Weight Loss!

Photo from www.memecenter.com

As a health and wellness professional who believes 100% in the healing power of food; I think this is hysterical! And obviously absolutely ridiculous, but I have a good sense of humor when it comes to this sort of stuff. It's meant as a joke for those who believe just about anything.  And it's a subtle poke at some of us out here promoting healthy eating and living.

We all know an onion will not protect our computers from viruses. Eating an onion also will not protect us from catching viruses, but including onions in an already healthy diet can definitely help. If you don't know about onions, you should read this: Onions. What Are They Good For? 

Onions are amazing, but an onion is not a miracle cure for anything......

There are so many companies and individuals out there claiming to have the miracle cure or solution for something and especially when it comes to weight loss. There's an awful lot of money to be made from people searching for miracles. Folks want instant, incredible results in exchange for very little effort and they're willing to pay big bucks! What amazes me is - the more outrageous or unbelievable it sounds, the more money people are willing to pay!

"I can drop tons of weight without having 

to really make any changes to my diet or lifestyle? 

Hold on and let me get my credit card!!"

I've spent a lot of money in the past; hoping to lose weight without really having to work at it, so I understand. I totally get it. Some things do sound so incredible and too good to be true, that we just have to try them!

Here's a recent example of something that sounded to good to be true! For the record, this might not be the exact claim, but I know this is what most people heard:

Take Garcinia Cambogia a few times a day just like all those celebrities 

and the pounds will drop off without changing your diet or exercising.

Did you fall for that one? They had all those testimonials to prove it. And pictures of overweight celebrities who were suddenly thin. Dr. Oz even talked about Garcinia Cambogia on his show, so it must be true!

How could you not fall for it? So many people did and companies made millions and still are! Who wouldn't be tempted by that introductory price of $6.99 + shipping  for your first trial bottle of Miracle Weight Loss Pills?

How much weight did you lose? A few pounds? And if you did manage to lose weight, have you been able to keep it off or are you still taking the Garcina Cambogia to make sure you don't gain the weight back?  If so, it's probably costing you around $60 or more a month now! I know this because quite a few of my brand-new clients tried it and now they are afraid to stop taking it!

I am not discounting Garcina Cambogia. Studies have shown that it can be effective if you're looking to burn excess fat, but is it a miracle? NO, but they did sort of package and sell it to us as if was a miracle, didn't they?

There is NO SUCH THING as a Weight Loss Miracle! 

I am a consultant for health, wellness and weight loss. I have no miracle cures, potions or pills for weight loss. I do have supplements and meal replacement products for clients who wish to try them, but I refuse to push them as miracle cures or solutions. These products will produce results, but not without dedication, determination and life style change. Even the Ten Day Transformation Program  I constantly rave about will not work, at least not long term, without changing your diet and your lifestyle.

There is no miracle food, spice, herb, supplement, powder or drink! Don't fall for it. If it sounds too good to be true, well...... you know the rest!

I do believe in miracles. I've witnessed them! I believe in the miracle of love and life. 

I believe in the miracle of transformation through dedication and determination. 

I believe in the miracle of healing and PERMANENT Weight Loss  

by adopting a healthy style of eating and living. 

You can continue to spend time, energy and hundreds of dollars on products and plans that promise miracles, but never quite deliver. If you don't mind the disappointment, frustration and aggravation, I won't stop you.

I am looking for men and women who do mind and are sick and tired of all that. I am interesting in working with those who are definitely ready for a Lifestyle Change!

So if that's you, let's chat.......

Go ahead and schedule your complimentary initial consultation with me right here.



Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Yummy Artichoke Dip!

Artichoke Dip! YUMMY! 

Most restaurants offer it as an appetizer and it's almost 

impossible to resist because it's so delicious. 

Of course it's delicious with all that cream cheese, mayo, Romano and Parmesan cheese, mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese and butter! It's served hot with fried tortilla or pita chips for dipping. Artichoke Dip is the perfect comfort food and totally hits the spot when we're hungry!

 Here's the thing about appetizers.....

They can be sort of tricky and we often fool ourselves into believing all the fat and calories in them don't really count.  After all, they're just appetizers - a little something to take the edge off as we wait for our big steak dinner. So, we have our Artichoke Dip teaser and then our steak and baked potato with sour cream. Maybe a side order of creamed spinach. I go to restaurants and steak houses. I know how it's done! Then, we order a slice of some kind of chocolate covered decadence for dessert. We can't possibly say no to dessert.

Ever notice how hard it is to resist no matter how full we feel? 

 It's because we've seduced our taste buds 

with so much fat and they crave more and more!  

That's the thing about seduction......

 So what am I saying? We can never have an Artichoke Dip appetizer ever again? We should be munching on raw carrots and celery sticks while everyone else at the table is dipping their chips into that delightful, hot, melted cheesy goodness? That would be cruel and unrealistic of me to even suggest such a thing!

Artichokes are good for us, but all those other unhealthy ingredients added to Artichoke Dip pretty much destroy most of the artichoke's health benefits. Artichoke Dip certainly isn't the best appetizer to order if we're concerned about better health and weight loss and especially if we ordering entrees that are also loaded with fat. Even if we're sharing the dip with others, it still isn't a great choice. We can try to make a few concessions here and there. Have the dip and then order a lighter entree such as grilled fish with rice and a side of steamed veggies. That's a little better. And skip dessert. Or share it with several other people. We can even ask to have our dessert wrapped and take it home for another day.

What about those times when we really just 

want to pull out all the stops and just go for it? 

Should we? 

If dining out like that is a very rare occasion, I'd say GO FOR IT and then get right back on the healthy eating plan the next day. However, if we're eating in restaurants and ordering food like that all the time, I'd say we definitely need to make some serious adjustments to our meal choices and also consider skipping the Artichoke Dip! 

Don't hate me now! 

I never want to take something away without 

offering something else in its place, so I have an idea!

Maybe, just maybe, if we could make our own Artichoke Dip at home

- A healthier Artichoke Dip -

we might not be tempted to order it out in restaurants as often. 

I have the most delicious recipe for homemade Artichoke Dip. This dip is totally VEGAN (no animal fat), but so rich and delicious and loaded with good things that actually help improve our health and wellness. This dip is so beneficial to our bodies that we can have it as often as we wish. Every weekend, if we want! Serve it with raw veggies or baked tortilla or pita chips! 

Here's the recipe from my friends over at One Green Planet:  Healthy Artichoke Dip

Enjoy!

Wanna learn more about the health benefits of artichokes? 

Read this: Artichokes.Great for Your Health! Perfect for Weight Loss!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

The O.M.G. Brownie!

Think you can't have Brownies? Think again! Just LOOK at this! 

Pretty tempting, huh?

This recipe is incredible. And actually good for you! A chocolate brownie. Covered in rich, chocolate frosting. No butter. No eggs. No processed white sugar. And the best part? NO BAKING!

In this heat, who wants to turn on the oven? 

This recipe is SO easy. Throw it together in about 5 minutes, pop it all in the freezer for about an hour and they're done!

Want the recipe? I am happy to share it with you and so much more! Just click the GIMME That Brownie Recipe button below! 

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo

Photo from wayfaringchocolate.com

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Eat A Peach!

I love all fruit, but peaches are my favorite. Just one bite of a luscious peach and I am instantly transported back in time to those lazy, hazy days of summer when I was a kid. Summer meant fun in the sun all day, night time dips in the pool to cool off before bed and eating outdoors. My brother and I even ate our morning cereal outside on the patio in the summer. Life was so easy back then. No cares. No worries. No bills. No jobs. Ahhh........

I only eat peaches in the summer. That's when they're at their peak. These days, you can get just about any fruit anytime of the year, but they just don't taste the same. And it's very expensive to buy peaches any time other than during the summer months.  It's definitely more economical to eat seasonally.

Not only are peaches delicious, they are so good for your health. You should be eating a peach or two every day while they are so plentiful and affordable. Buy local peaches if they are available. If you're only option is buying them from the grocery store, be sure to get tree-ripened. If your budget will allow it, go for organically grown peaches. They cost a bit extra, but they definitely taste better. More like the peaches you remember when you were a kid.

Here are a few health benefits of peaches:

Peaches are PERFECT for weight loss. A peach is rich in fiber and helps fill you up. If you're full, you won't over eat. One peach only contains about 35-50 calories and no fat!

Peaches are rich in phytochemicals called phenols that act as antioxidants. Those antioxidants can help prevent obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Peaches help keep your skin healthy. They are rich in Vitamins A and C. These vitamins can help regenerate skin tissue.  In addition to eating peaches, try this simple skin pick-me-up:

Cut a slice of a juicy peach and massage the flesh on your face. Leave the juice on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Or rub the inside of the skins of a peach on your face for a few minutes at bedtime and let the juice absorb overnight.

Peaches could help prevent cancer because they contain selenium. Selenium is a mineral with antioxidant properties that may help protect cells from damage.

Peaches are a natural diuretic. They help cleanse your kidneys and bladder. Peaches also great for those  suffering from gout and rheumatism because they tend to have a diuretic and a light laxative effect.

Peaches can help reduce stress and anxiety. They are often referred to as the ‘Fruit of Calmness’ in Hungary. If you're feeling anxious or stressed-out, eat a peach!

There are so many great ways to enjoy peaches! Slice them and add them to your morning oatmeal, cereal or yogurt. Toss them into your morning smoothie. Bake them in a pie or make a delicious fresh peach cobbler. Make a peach chutney to serve with grilled chicken or fish. Peach salsa is yummy served with baked tortilla chips.

Of course, the best way is to just grab a peach and just bite into it whole!

Here's my favorite recipe for peaches. So simple, so delicious and the perfect summer dessert! Impressive enough to serve to guests.

Grilled Peaches

fresh organic peaches (figure 1/2 peach for each person)
Coconut Milk ice cream OR your favorite ice cream. Vanilla definitely goes best with the peaches, but you use any flavor you like. I love Vanilla coconut milk ice cream and use Coconut Bliss brand. You can find it at most health food markets and some grocery stores.

Cut a peach in half from top to bottom, and remove the pit. Place the peaches on the grill, cut side down. Cook for one minute, turn over, and cook for another minute on the other side. Remove peaches and set in individual bowls or plates. Add a small scoop of coconut milk ice cream in each bowl. Serve immediately.

photo from healthblogs.org

Enjoy!

Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo