Gluten Free Meatballs and Sunday Sauce

September is my favorite time to cook, I welcome the end barbecue season, in favor of cooler temperatures and traditional food. This year I am especially into cooking traditionally, because for the first September in 5 years, I am not on a competition diet. Rejoice! #moderate #feedomwithresponsibility Meatballs and Spaghetti Sauce, are a food that I was raised on. As a child, on Sundays I woke … Read More

Drive to Thrive: Master Fitness & Nutrition…for good!

Have you ever noticed how dogs and children, take action when they want something? Treats. Attention. A walk. Caymus, our younger pup, brought me his leash 3 separate times this morning. He obviously wanted to go for a walk, and he was taking action to get what he wanted. And it hit me, he is an expert at taking action … Read More

Why willpower doesn’t work for weight loss

I started my first diet at age 14, and for 44 years I searched for a diet that would not lead to rebound weight gain, from exhausting my willpower. Watch this video to learn why willpower is not a solution to managing and maintaining fat loss. Willpower is a brain drain, and all quick weight loss diets are based on … Read More

#WIAW or What I Ate Wednesday 8.23.17

Creative meals at home have become a renewed source of comfort lately. I’ve had enough dinners out, barbecue, and weddings for one summer. My own kitchen has given me that old familiar feeling of  “There is no place like home” and, meals here have been creative, seasonal and simple. Below is this month’s version of #WIAW or What I Ate … Read More

Fajita Bowls!

Summer weekends are almost over. Up here in the Northeast, We want to enjoy the patio and grill as much as possible before it’s time to shovel snow. Forget hotdogs and hamburgers – celebrate National Fajita Day (August 18th) instead! Fajitas are an effortless and delicious way to entertain friends. Plus you can get your friends and family in on … Read More

Wine & Dine; Effort & Attitude

A few years ago, my husband and I were fortunate to share an old bottle of wine, a friend received as a thank you gift. The wine was wrapped in a plain brown paper bag and the giver merely said “here and thanks.”   After a little research, our friend learned that is was a bottle of great value. It … Read More

Sisterhood…a big part of Successful Weight Management

“The women that we embrace as our ‘sisters’ are sometimes closer than our own family members. They defend us, wipe away our tears, take care of us when we are ill, encourage us in the bad times, lend us money if needed, and support our dreams.~ Sophia Nelson, Huffpost 2013 My BFF’s are family to me. Some came into my … Read More

Vacation: train or rest?

This is a very special time for our family. We are days away from our oldest daughter’s wedding. While it is kind of like a vacation week, it is also is uniquely different. I can’t really explain this amazing feeling of anticipation. We have that holiday feeing going on with a lot of little tasks. While I have the urge … Read More

#WIAW What I Ate Wednesday

I hate diets. After years of being a chronic dieter for various reasons, including professional physique competitions, I. Hate. Diets.  I affectionately call the way I eat ‘Manage Your Mangia’. This is based on my upbringing in an Italian American family, where I like to believe mangia means eat and enjoy. What I eat in a day can vary, and I … Read More