By Alyssa Tucci
It may still be a little chilly here on the East Coast, but summer will be here before we know it!
What’s New With Vicky
I know it’s been a while since I’ve written one of these newsletters, but I am so excited to be starting up again! The latest happening in my life is that I am preparing for our upcoming challenge. I can honestly say, for the first time in my life, I feel lousy! A few months back I noticed that I had started gaining a little weight, and made a decision to use myself as a guinea pig. I thought it might inspire more people. I have gained 25 pounds total to date so that I could do this new challenge with everyone. Not being as healthy as my usual self is making me somewhat miserable, if I’m being totally honest. But anyone who knows me knows I stay positive and maintain an optimistic attitude. And I know it’s coming to an end soon – the challenge is starting on April 15 and I can not wait to get started! I would love for you to join me as I get my body – and more importantly, my health – back in time for summer!
This Week’s Featured Recipe
Chicken Salad with Broccoli and Tomatoes
This recipe is full of fiber and protein and will fill you up for just a few calories – helping you slim down and flatten your belly in time for bathing suit season! Plus you’ll be amazed at how quick and easy it is to throw together!
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts [ cut into ribbons ]
- 4 bunches broccoli florets [ stems removed and cut into small bites ]
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tomatoes [ wedged ]
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- Himalayan sea salt [ to taste ]
- freshly ground black pepper [ to taste ]
- paprika [ to taste ]
Directions
- Season chicken with paprika, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Heat half of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and cook chicken, in batches, for 2-3 minutes each side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add broccoli to cold water and cook for 5 minutes to maintain nutrients and crunchiness. Drain.
- Heat the remaining olive oil to the pan and sauté tomato wedges for 2 minutes; add broccoli and continue sautéing for 2 more minutes. Transfer to a salad bowl. (For healthier version, substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth for oil.)
- Season vegetables with salt and pepper and drizzle with vinegar. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve salad into plates, top with chicken ribbons and enjoy!
This Week’s Featured Workout
Want to tone up for the summer but think you don’t have time for the gym or working out? Think again! Try this quick 5 minute exercise to lose weight fast.
Health & Beauty Tips of the Week
We definitely expose a lot more skin in the summer. If you want to have and maintain smooth, glowing skin I have one word for you: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
Tip #1: Exfoliate your face and body daily
I don’t like to use store-bought exfoliating products. I personally like to make my own. They are less expensive and they are also 100% natural (which makes them far better for your skin). I always have some in my house. I actually keep a jar of sugar with extra virgin olive oil in my shower and it works like a charm. You just combine white sugar with extra virgin olive oil – how easy is that? Exfoliating is so great for the skin, but you’ll be amazed at how the olive oil makes skin so silky and smooth too.
Tip #2: Don’t forget about your feet!
I don’t know about you, but I get pretty grossed out by ugly looking feet. Since our feet tend to be exposed in sandals and flip flops almost all the time throughout the warmer months, it is really critical that we take good care of our feet – and it’s never too soon to start, even if there still is a tiny bit of a chill in the air! Now, I’m not saying you have to get a weekly pedicure. A great, inexpensive way to get smooth, pretty feet is to use the same exfoliator that you use on your body. Scrub your feet with it before you go to sleep. After you rinse and dry your feet, rub on some coconut oil and then immediately put socks on. And speaking of pedicures – they certainly won’t hurt either, so feel free to treat yourself!
Weekly Read
The sun is great for us (soak up that vitamin D, baby) but you know what they say about too much of a good thing… Don’t forget to protect yourself as the sun heats up. Check out this article from the folks over at the Huffington Post for a crash course on all things sunscreen.
Ask Vicky
I recently did a seminar at a corporation where I mentioned the upcoming challenge we will be hosting. There were tons of great questions, and I’d like to share a couple with all of you.
Q: How did you gain 25 pounds in the lead up to this challenge?
A: Although I am never on a diet, I do have certain rules that I always stick by. Obviously I increased my calories, so I ate a lot more than usual. But one of the things that I found so interesting is that I stopped paying attention to my usual food combining rules, which is why the majority of the meal plans on the challenge will definitely be based on proper food combining. The other thing that I did to gain the weight was to give up exercise. I don’t kill myself at the gym, but I definitely believe in working out. I love my daily power walks and 4 times a week I usually do strength training.
Q: How do you feel about dairy?
A: Quite frankly, I am not a fan of dairy. And since summer is around the corner I should tell you that dairy is not great for the skin or great for the belly. People end up having all sorts of skin issues related to the consumption of dairy, and it can definitely put a little extra fat around the belly area.
Weekly Inspiration
“Where the world’s greatest need and your greatest skill meet, therein lies your calling.” – Aristotle
