Tips for getting leaner......

1. Include protein at every meal, it will keep you satisfied for so much longer than carbs alone.  If you eat a piece of fruit, be sure to include protein as well....cottage cheese, greek yogurt, chicken, nuts, something that will keep your blood sugar stable, and keep you going for a long time:)

2.  Drink more water than you think you need!  Much of the time, we think that we are hungry, when in fact we are dehydrated.  Drink at minimum 8 ounces of water before every meal, and your appetite will diminish greatly.  I keep a little container of lime juice around which I add to my water, and it makes it so much easier to drink.  A touch of cranberry juice does the same thing.

Healthy snacks

If your life is anything like mine, a true, relaxed 30 minute meal may only happen once a day.  At any given time, I'm either running around with my two dogs, working out or making my beautiful clients even more beautiful at the salon......life is never dull.  One of the most important habits I have, is to always be prepared with food.  I eat mini meals 5-6 times a day so that I'm never starving, and have tons of energy.  Instead of filling myself up with one big meal, I am always half full.....and it makes me feel light, energetic and focused.   The tricky thing with eating, is that most of the foods that are sold as snacks, have nothing to do with real food, and won't do much for your physique, or energy.

Here are a few ideas for snacks that I give people when they ask me for ideas:

(hint....try to have as few ingredients in your food as possible!  One ingredient foods are THE best!)

• Pre packaged Raw Almonds from Trader Joe's - measured out so you can't overeat!  Perfect snack..
• Greek yogurt with berries
• Cottage Cheese
• Small handful of raisins with mixed nuts
• String cheese 
• Cut up red, orange, yellow or green pepper with hummus
• Hard boiled egg
• celery with peanut butter, or laughing cow cheese
• grapefruit (did you know it naturally helps you burn fat?   Ummmm, I'll take two please! ), apples, mixed berries.....oranges...

Just a few ideas, but notice that I've left out protein bars, granola bars, and almost any kind of food that stays "fresh" in your cabinet "forever".  These all take a little preparation, but will keep you full for longer, and help you to resist things that you just might wish you hadn't eaten:)

BTW, I always keep a small package of almonds in my purse for when I get very busy, so that I have something healthy....that way I won't get a super unhealthy snack when I'm in a bind.

xo