Beach Body in 7 Days

Some clever cheats to make you look sleeker in just ONE week!

Oh no!  You've just gotten an invitation to a beach or pool party.  Take hold of yourself and don't panic.  All you need is ONE week to transform yourself into the swimsuit diva within.  So what's the crash plan?

BRUSH UP YOUR FIGURE
We've already covered the benefits of dry brushing with a how - to video under Get Glowing: Dry Brushing but it bears repeating.  Use a simple boar bristle brush or loofah and brush arms, legs and torso with long strokes towards your heart.  Follow with a shower with a Clarisonic Body Brush. You should see a difference after three days, especially if you apply Skinny Tone afterwards.

SUNLESS SPRAY TANNING
If you're really in a hurry, you can cheat a lovely tan in a few hours with an airbrush.  We like Dinair's Sunless Tanning Airbrush Set.  This works especially well if you've already done the Dry Brushing routine as the tanning solution will go on much more evenly.

SUNLESS TANNING CREAMS

While you'll have to figure out which creams work best for your particular skin tone, a few drugstore brands I like include Jergens Natural Glow Series.  The Jergens Natural Glow FIRMING is what you want as it contains seaweed and will firm you up in about 7 Days.  The Jergens Natural Glow PROTECT has sunblock and will give you color plus UVA protection.

SKIN SHIMMER
You can top off your sleek looking faux tan with a little shimmer which always gives you that healthy, beachy glow.  Victoria's Secret is known for using their own glittery products on their Angels lingerie models but you can take a page from them.  I like Hawaiian Tropic's Shimmer Effect which is a SPF 20 lotion sunscreen with mica minerals.  


BEACH BODY NUTRITION

A Nutritional Program for a sleeker you in 7 Days!

While I surely do NOT advocate crash or fad diets, this protocol is a healthy alternative to boost your metabolism, facilitate an inner cleanse and lower body fat all without losing important muscle mass.  Here's the food program to follow for one week:

Morning:  Upon awakening, take one Terry's Naturally Tri-Iodine Capsule.  This will jump start your metabolism for the day and give your thyroid the nutrition it needs to perform at its peak.

Breakfast is one 8 oz serving of Rainbow Light's WHEY Protein Energizer.  If you are really hungry in the morning, add 1/2 banana or 1/2 tbsp Natural Peanut, SunButter or coconut oil to the mix and blend.  

Lunch: Eat a normal, sensible lunch but take 1 tbsp of Saf Slim High Linoleic Safflower Oil just before you eat. 

Dinner: Same thing for your last big meal of the day.  1 tbsp of Saf Slim before dinner.  Focus on lean protein and complex carbohydrates like non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Snacks: Snacking is good, just pick low fat cheese, hard boiled eggs, raw vegetables and plenty of ICE COLD WATER.  I keep my Insulated Klean Kanteen filled with ice water for just that purpose.  Ice cold water boosts your fat burning ability more than drinking warm or room temperature liquids.

Exercise:  Aim for 30 minutes a day.  It can be cardio one day and lifting weights the next.  Just mix it up and get moving. 

Throw Them a Curve:

Here's another little secret from those Victoria's Secret Angels. Style Secrets Shaping Inserts.
Sometimes you just need to balance out things a bit. These shaping inserts hide under your favorite swimsuit top for added lift and shaping.  They look and feel like silicone implants but without the cost and risks.  Simply insert them in your favorite bikini top, (most higher end bathing suit tops have removable pads) and BOOM, instant curves. 

That's it!  Your new tanned look and weight loss will have you renewed without feeling deprived or losing important muscle tone.  Savor the Summer that's for you to enjoy with our video below.  Now are you beach ready?

Cool Protein Shakes to Go

Rainbow Light Acai Protein Energizer & Stay Fit EZ Freeze Protein Shaker

Sometimes mornings can be hectic.  You may not always have the luxury of being able to leisurely sip your favorite smoothie.  When pressed for time or just want something light to drink on the road, I mix up a Rainbow Light Protein Energizer.  It has whey and 14 grams brown rice protein plus a lot of antioxidants and a bit of fiber.  Rainbow Light Protein Energizers contain NO soy, gluten, dairy or added sugar.  Combined with the Stay Fit EZ Freeze Protein Shaker, I have an instant breakfast that stays totally chilly until I have time to drink it.  Just pop the bottom of the Protein Shaker in the freezer, fill and go.

Stay Fit Protein Shaker keeps your shake cold for hours

If you have natural food based ingredients in your shake, spoilage is always going to be a problem.  Not so with the Protein Shaker.  Take it with you on your walk or to the gym...it will be chilling for you.  There is a little knob to secure the drink spout lid so you can chug way.  The top and bottom half twist off for easy cleaning.  It's like having a little cooler for your protein shake. Here are some Protein Shaker Features:

• BPA Free
• Non-toxic freezer gel keeps it cold & fresh
• Perfect for meal replacement drinks
• Simply freeze, fill & go
• Holds 10 oz liquid
• Graduated measurement up to 8 ozs

Super Chocolate Protein Shake 

Studies have shown that athletes who had chocolate milk recover faster than those who drank other beverages.  You can ditch the extra fat and sugar but amp up the antioxidants and flavor with MY delicious chocolate protein shake recipe:

1 Cup low fat milk (you can substitute almond or rice milk)

1 Scoop Rainbow Light Chocolate Protein Energizer

1/2 Teaspoon Cocoa or instant coffee

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 ice cubes

Throw everything into the pre-chilled Protein Shaker and SHAKE!  That's it.  No blender, no mixing, no lumps.  On days that I have a bit of time, I will add home made Almond Milk and or Sunbutter Sunflower Seed Spread to this recipe by way of my VitaMix power blender.  The raw almonds and Sunbutter add extra protein, Omega 3 fatty acids and nutrition while keeping you feeling fuller a bit longer.  Even better... it's absolutely DELICIOUS!  Check out The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide for even more healthy eating tips & recipes.

The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide available now at Amazon.com

A Peanut Free Lunch

PHOTO: Sunbutter Sunflower Seed Spread in Natural Crunch on a slice of Arnold Oatnut, whole grain bread. A delicious alternative to peanut butter.

Ah, the summer is all but over and it's time to come up with some ideas for that brown bag. Whether you are commuting to work, working out or packing lunch for someone special, here's a NEW twist on an old favorite. Sunflower Seed Butter!

Many children, (and adults), these days have peanut allergies. Children often swap sandwiches at lunchtime for something they would prefer. I would be horrified to think that my child traded her PB & J to a child who shouldn't have it! However, this peanut butter alternative is SO delicious, I guarantee your little one will keep it all for himself.

I'm talking about Sunbutter. One taste of this scrumptious Sunflower Seed Spread and you'll wonder what you ever saw in "Skimpy" Peanut Butter! Sunbutter is all natural with no hydrogenated fats, (aka Crisco). They offer 5 styles Natural & Natural Omega with Creamy, Natural Crunch & Organic featured here in the photo. Specially selected sunflower seeds are roasted and ground to a consistency which will replace peanut butter in any recipe. Hello peanut butter cookies!

Better still is the fact that Sunbutter is made in the USA in a peanut free - nut tree free manufacturing facility. This is important because even residual amounts of nut oils can cause severe reactions for people who are allergic to them. Do yourself a favor and check out this nutritiously dense, high protein seed spread. You may never want to go back to peanut butter after you do! Find it locally at Wegman's and I believe most Whole Food Stores carry Sunbutter as well but you can visit them online for more recipes and ideas.

REMEMBER! The X - Training BLOG is doing a Polar Bottle - Eat Clean Diet Cookbook Give-Away so click this link and enter before Midnight, October 14th 2010!