Mary Alexander Method

Stop eating foods that are contributing to you feeling sluggish all the time.  You'd be surprised how quickly you can cut through the fat by avoiding foods that are full of sugar and fat.  Take a look at this huge, supersized muffin I was served at a popular hotel chain, for example.   It was delivered to me with my berry and oatmeal breakfast.  It was the size of my face!  By eliminating these foods you'll get a head start with weight loss with very little effort.  


Check out some of my favorite recipes and snacks ideas that incorporate nutritious and delicious ingredients.  These will definitely satisfy your cravings and give you energy throughout the day.  Remember, the key is REAL food - skip the white sugar, chemicals and artificial sweeteners too!

So Simple - Get into Fitness Breakfast

1/2 cup dry oatmeal
2 T. wheat germ
1 t. flax oil
1 t. powdered cinnamon
1 t. raw honey 
mixed Berries (optional)

Cook oatmeal as directed on package (try not to use the instant but if you have to use 1 packet).  After oatmeal is cooked, remove from heat or microwave and blend in the wheat germ, flax oil and honey. Top with berries.

This breakfast is not only a great pre-workout meal, but also a definite way start your day with good energy from good & real food.

Try it and Get into You!


Perfect Raw Mango & Almond Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup raw almond milk
1 juicy ripe mango
1-2 soaked dates (optional for added sweetness)
Ice (optional)

Instructions:
Pour almond milk into a blender.  Peel and slice the mango, remove pit.  Add mango to blender.  Add the soaked dates now as a healthy sweetner (optional).   Add ice if milk and mango are not cold.  Blend and enjoy.

If you don't have nut milk, you can use a large teaspoon of almond butter, and a cup of water or orange juice (there's your own easy version of nut milk).   Raw almond butter preferred.

Substitutions:   You can substitute the mango for any other fruit, just watch the consistency when working with various fruits.  Try banana & berries or even raw cacao nibs/powder & banana. 

SNACKS
Homemade Potato Chips

When the munchies for something crunchy strikes you're pretty doomed.  It's really tempting to buy a bag of 'fat free' chips but keep in mind that even some of the baked or fat free chips you'll find in the grocery store are loaded with sugar or other bad oils and chemicals.  Olestra? No, thanks.  Does it gives you a belly ache too?  Make your own.

Our Ingredients:
Potatoes (sweet, purple, white, any kind that you like)
Sea Salt *
Olive Oil (optional)

Supplies:
Potato peeler, food processor or mandoline slicer (if you have one)
Non-stick baking sheet (I like to use stoneware because of the natural nonstick surface and the heat distribution - no flipping required)

Our Instructions: 
It's really simple actually and we choose not to add oils.  We suggest you get your daily dose of healthy fat intake elsewhere during your day.  Wash and peel your potatoes (if you prefer you can leave the skins on).  Cut the potato in half lenghwise and use the flat side as your starting point to make chips.  Using the tool of your choice slice the potato as thinly as possible -- into perfect little chips-to-be.   Lay the chips flat on your baking sheet without overlapping.  Sprinkle with a bit of sea salt.  Pop them into the oven on broil for 15 minutes or until the chips are crispy.   

* Once you get the hang of making your own chips, you can make all sorts of flavors.  Some ideas are: salt & black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, how about cinnamon on your sweet potato for dessert?  Yum.

This might be a bit time consuming but you'll love them.