Happy Holidays

Happy holidays Eat-Clean Diet bloggers.

Keep your spirits high. Enjoy this time with the ones you love. Remember the little things are as, if not more, important than the big.

I will be taking a few days away from the blog to spend with my family while they are home for the holidays. I will return soon.

Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year!

Holiday Dinner Parties

Hello Everyone,

So glad you could stop by today. I have been hustling and bustling all week in preparation for Christmas. I know we're all on the same page here. Of course, I've had to squeeze in my workouts, too. I love that half an hour of solitude each day where I can focus on me and my personal health. Makes me feel like a million bucks!! You too??

I had a close friend of mine over for dinner last night with her children. I made a delicious sea bass entree with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes (left out the butter). Everyone enjoyed it and I felt great about putting a clean meal on the table. You can do it, too. Check out the cookbook for a plethora of clean recipes for your holiday dinner parties. There are even "cleaner" desserts in there.

We got into a heated discussion after dinner about the North American mindset on food. It's interesting to hear the opinions of others. We in the Eat-Clean world are the lucky few who are really getting an education on eating well. Have you had experiences like this? People always seem interested in learning about eating clean. Let's keep spreading the word.

I am so glad you can join me on this journey to optimal health. Enjoy it and do all you can to keep you and your family healthy over the holiday season.

Only a Few More Days...

The countdown is on and with it comes last minute shopping and last minute errands. I drove off to Prince Edward County last night to pick up my daughters from their various schools. I ended up throwing on the rubber gloves and rolling up my sleeves to do some much-needed cleaning in my daughter's apartment. Student living... those were the days. Although, I don't remember my mother coming over to clean my toilet.

Now the car is packed to the hilt with gifts and suitcases and kids. We're on our way home to start the Christmas holidays.

While it can be a stressful time of year, it is certainly a great time, too. I love having all of my kids in the house. I admit to experiencing a bit of empty nest syndrome now that some of my daughters have left for higher education. There will be noise and mess and fun and drama and laughs and tears and all the joys of having a serious imbalance of estrogen vs. testosterone in the house for 2 weeks. My husband and stepson have to be pretty strong to deal with all of us girls.

What are your holidays like? Is the house bustling with people? Or is there a peaceful atmosphere?

I am very much looking forward to the next few weeks and hope that you are, too. The one message I ask everyone to remember this season is that even though the holidays only last for a few weeks, the spirit should last year round.

Enjoy your last few days of shopping madness. I'll be there with you in spirit as I am doing the same. Of course, I'll have some Eat-Clean protein bars on hand for sustenance...

Monday Humor... Don't Try This At Home...

Living up north in Ontario, Canada can be challenging in the winter. Not the least of these challenges arrived on the weekend when we got nailed with another snow storm.

There was so much snow that is started pouring into the house into my dining room. I have to say I was more than a little upset... and deep breaths did not help.

In my anger and frustration I decided to take matters into my own hands. So there I was up on top of the roof after 3 feet of snow had fallen. I had decided to shovel the snow.

I knew it was risky, but my anger outweighed my sanity.

I was heaving and hefting and literally throwing the snow off the roof. My frustration in EVERYTHING caused me to be careless and, you guessed it, I fell off the roof.

Luckily, I landed in a snow-covered bush and only suffered from a bit of shock from the cold.

Moral of the story: Don't Try This At Home!!!

To You...

Good morning bloggers.

I apologize for the delay in an update, but it has been a busy week.

I hope some of you were able to catch my appearances from this week. As I posted earlier, Monday was a whirlwind in Tampa. Tuesday was a riot making Tofu Chocolate Mousse with the team of Studio 10 in St. Petersburg. And I had a great time in Washington yesterday making Trifle with the team of 9 News, Roasted Root Vegetable soup with the team of Retirement Living TV, and chatting it up with my favorite XM satellite radio ladies at Broadminded. Remember, all of these recipes are available in the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook.

Now I am back at home sitting in my office typing away to you, my avid readers and loyal Clean Eating followers. I am very thankful for your support. You have no idea how happy it makes me to be able to share my knowledge with you and have a positive impact on your life. I am so thrilled to hear each and every one of your success stories and to answer any questions you have about the Eat-Clean lifestyle.

To show my gratitude I will continue to provide you with quality material to guide you on the path to total health. I will answer your questions and concerns, and take your suggestions and critiques to heart.

Thank you to all of you who have helped me get this far. You are the ones who help me help others. Now this small town, Canadian girl can spread the word of Clean Eating to many others in the hopes of making big changes!!

Thank you!

Basking in Florida Sunshine....Not!

Hello bloggers. I am writing to you during a small break I am taking in my very busy day here in Tampa, Florida. The sun is shining... well, it was the last time I saw it from my car window on my way to another interview. Phew! It's been a long day already and it's only 2 o'clock.

When I'm out promoting the Eat-Clean Diet books my schedule is all over the place. Having a cooler by my side is the one stable element in my day. I know I always have a healthy meal waiting for me. As soon as I arrived in Florida last night I went straight to the grocery store and stocked up on a bunch of things to keep me going: almonds, hummus, whole-wheat wraps, carrot sticks, apples, yogurt, water, etc. Of course, eating out is inevitably part of the deal when I'm travelling, so I am always at the ready with questions and requests for the waiter/waitress: no sauce here, no butter there, and steamed veggies please!! My husband and I try to pick restaurants where we know we can order a salad and broth-based soup without any trouble.

Another challenge is training time. As you all know, I workout 5-6 times a week. When I am travelling I do my best not to miss a day. It helps if I stay at a hotel with a gym, but there's no guarantee it's stocked with the equipment I need. This is when I get creative and do what I can: take a run outside if the weather is nice; do body weight exercises such as push ups, pull ups, and dips. I have also been known to seek out a gym nearby especially if I'm training for a competition, when every workout counts.

The most important thing about whirlwind trips is doing my best to get some sleep, some good food and plenty of water. When you're waking up in one city and going to sleep in another the comforts of the Clean-Eating lifestyle can keep you going.

I know there are a lot of women out there in my same position. You're jetting all over the world for business here and there; you're running the kids to soccer and hockey tournaments on the weekends; you're driving or flying to and from the in law's for the holidays.

Keep yourself sane and healthy by keeping Clean wherever your travels take you.

The Weekend is Upon Us

Well, it's been a great week full of activity including finally getting my Christmas trees and putting the lights on the outside of the house. Now it's just a matter of decorating the trees and the inside of the house. I like to get two trees. One "kids" tree and one "adult" tree. The adult tree is the fancy one, if you know what I mean. What do you like to do for decorations? For those of you who are a part of my forum I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing your holiday decorations thus far. Keep them coming!

I have a busy weekend ahead of me, too. On Saturday I will be doing a book signing in Milton, Ontario at A Country Mile. If you're from this area I'd love to see you there. They will have coffee and treats (clean treats, I hope) to celebrate the occassion.

On Sunday I will be flying to Florida for a few appearances in this area. Check my media schedule to find out which shows I'll be on and when. I'll be preparing a couple of holiday treats from my cookbook on TV and sharing a bunch of holiday Eat-Clean Tips with you! Keep an eye out.

I'm off to get packing. I'll have to make sure I have my cooler ready to go with all of my favourite Eat-Clean foods for the airport on Sunday. Better go check the fridge and pantry!

Have a lovely weekend one and all... and I hope to see you tomorrow if you are in the Milton area.

More Photoshoot Pics...

Here are a few more pics from the photo shoot to share with you... Enjoy!


My daughter, Kiersten, nephew, Reid, and the little one, Emma...

My nephew, Ethan

Me, Emma, and my nephew, Ryan

The kiddies and their fruit popsicles

Me, my stepdaughter, Chelsea and our dogs, Davidson and Bailey

My daughter, Kelsey, and Chelsea... yummy carrots

Brothers Ryan and Reid

Brothers Ethan and William

My makeup artist's daughter, Brianna

The PJ party... all of the kids

Kiersten, my sister, Martina, and sister-in-law, Tammy

Subscription Winners

Thank you to those of you who took the time to fill out the Eat-Clean Diet Family and Kids survey. It was a great success with 620 submissions! Wow!

To say thank you for your efforts 5 individuals have been randomly selected to receive a free year-long subscription to Clean Eating magazine.

Here are the winners:

1. Carolyn Kay

2. Nancy Eckelberg

3. Megan Heligas

4. Tamara Desouza

5. Kat Cureton

Congratulations winners!!!

Each of your addresses have been submitted, and you will be receiving your subscription within the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Enjoy and thank you again!

Winter Wonderland

Hello all. I hope you enjoyed your weekend.

As promised, I'll fill you in on the details of the Eat-Clean Diet Family and Kids photo shoot that took place this past weekend at my home. It was a great success. We shot all day and the kids were fabulous. From 14 months to 16 years, not one person cried... phew! I am so excited for you to see the images when the book debuts in the fall. My favourite part of the shoot was when all of the kids put on their flannel pj's and hopped on the couch for a couple of photographs. They were all so cute.

We had a lovely lunch catered for our crew of 24 by Gourmandissimo, our local catering company. It was so nice to find a chef who had no trouble catering (pardon the pun) to my Clean-Eating needs. The kids munched on whole-wheat penne, turkey wraps, crudites and yummy fruit. A variety of simple and healthy foods is always the best for little ones.

That night we absolutely collapsed in exhaustion. As we all snuggled into bed we had no idea what the next day would bring...

A wild snow storm!

We were literally snowed in. With freezing rain adding a nice slick coating to fresh snow the hills were ideal for great tobogganing. We bundled up the kiddies and spent a couple of hours outside enjoying the weather. Trudging up and down the hills with kids in tow is great exercise. It was a nice switch up from my typical workout. Give it a try if you have snow in your area. Some of you may not know this, but we're not always snow covered up here in Canada. In fact, in many Canadian cities during the winter holidays there is no snow. I think this year will be a different story, as we've been inundated with quite a few storms already.

To wrap things up, the weekend was excellent. Lots of yummy Clean-Eating meals shared with the people I love the most! That's the way it should be. Why not plan a delicious meal for your family, friends and/or loved-ones this evening. You'll feel satisfied through and through.

Happy Thursday

I am glad you took so well to my post yesterday. I loved reading all of your stories from Thanksgiving and I'm glad you could put the recipes to good use. It's so great to know that you're enjoying the meals. Spread the word, healthy food doesn't have to be bland.

As I sit here this afternoon and review my calendar for the next few days, I realize I have quite a busy weekend ahead!

My whole family will be joining me at my home for the first of many photo shoots for the upcoming Eat-Clean Diet Family and Kids book. I can't wait to see all of my little nieces and nephews, my brothers and sisters, and their spouses. It's been too long.

We've arranged to have a mini slumber party, a birthday party and a colouring event for the kids who are all under the age of 12. Should be a lot of fun... and a little messy, too.

The best part of my family is how much we like to get outside and get moving. Even though the snow has begun to fall up here we still like to battle the elements and go for a long walk through the woods behind my house. Our puppies love the exercise and so do the kids. Do you have any plans for getting outside this weekend?

As you can tell I'm very much looking forward to their visit. Of course, I have to make a run to the grocery store to stock up on wraps, chicken, hummus, veggies and fruit. And I will put a big pot of soup on tonight to prepare for their arrival.

I will fill you in next week with all the details of the shoot... kids do say the darndest things!

Grab Your Coffee

Hello Clean Eaters one and all,

I hope my American readers enjoyed Thanksgiving weekend. How did Eating Clean go? I'd love to know if any of you tried recipes from the cookbook and how they fared at your feast. Let me know.

Now, grab your coffee and settle in... I'd like to have a chat with you about Eating Clean...

This lifestyle follows the principles outlined in my 1st book: The Eat-Clean Diet. If you've read the book and have made or are beginning to make changes in your habits you know that calorie counting is NOT a part of this plan.

For many of you this will be a departure from all of the information you've heard/read/used in your life to date. Calories, calories, calories... everyone is worried about them, and let's face it we all know too many is not a good thing, BUT the main issue is CALORIE COUNTING. This impossible feat should be left to educated dieticians, nutritionists and doctors. I say this because it's almost impossible to get it right. Using online databases or computer software will inevitably leave you with the wrong count in most cases.

Your best solution is to forget it!

You don't need to calorie count, nor do you have the time.

Here's why (aside from the fact that it is extremely difficult to calculate accurately): If you follow the proper portion sizes outlined in the Eat-Clean Diet book you will be consuming exactly the right amount of fuel for your body.

Remember the measure are all based on your own body size:
Protein - size of your palm
Whole Grains - 1 handful
Whole Grains from Fruits and Vegetables - 2 handfuls

Incorporate these 3 elements into each meal and you DO NOT need to CALORIE COUNT!!! You'll be getting exactly the right amount of nutrition for your body.

So throw away your calculators and scales and computer programs and frustration. The Eating Clean way is here to stay and will make your life a lot easier.

Bottom Line: CALORIE COUNTING IS NOT PART OF CLEAN EATING

Turkey Day Temptations!

Good Morning Clean-Eaters,

Did I get your attention with the lovely piece of pie?? Tomorrow's the big day for those of you scattered across the United States. I heard on the radio this morning that today is the busiest travel day of the year in the US. You're all buzzing around the country to get to your homes or prepping the house for visitors of your own. Canadian Thanksgiving was 2 months ago, and let me tell you, it was a great Clean-Eating success.

Thanksgiving tends to be an extravagant holiday, so I am going to tell it to you straight:

THERE IS NO NEED TO FORGO ALL CLEAN-EATING HABITS!!!

Keep your portions in control, omit butters and sauces, and watch the dessert tray. Have berries as a healthy option instead of pies and ice cream and whipped cream, oh my! If the weather behaves, I would highly recommend a walk with your family either pre or post dinner.

Of course, if you do go crazy get right back on track. Lucky for you it's Black Friday at the malls on November 23rd... power shopping = calorie burning! And get right back to the gym.

Meeting Bobbi...

Well, it is a beautiful Thursday and as I write this to you I am sitting at the Toronto airport waiting to catch a plane to Newark, New Jersey. I used to live in lovely Chester, New Jersey years ago, but I am not going to visit. I am going for work. What work you ask? I am going to meet world-renowned cosmetic entrepreneur Bobbi Brown!

Ms. Brown Eats Clean and has asked me to address her wonderful team about this lifestyle. I am very excited... and a little nervous, of course. She believes that every woman can be beautiful with a few simple tools and tips. I feel the same. Clean Eating is for everyone. All you need is a few simple principles and you are on your way to the body and health you have always wanted and deserve to have.

Thank you to all of you for the support you have given me. It never goes unnoticed.

Wish me luck!!

Wired

Hello fellow Clean Eaters...

I apologize for the delay in blogging. I have been researching, researching, researching for my family and kids book. Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to fill out the Eat-Clean Diet Family Survey. If you haven't yet, or if you're new to the blog (WELCOME!), please take some time (literally, less than 10 minutes) to answer the questions. Remember, you could win a year-long subscription to the latest nutrition magazine Clean Eating.

My big blog today is about our kids. I attended my nephew's 11th birthday party on the weekend and received quite the shock. 90% of the children in attendance at the party were overweight! You hear the statistics and you read the articles in the paper, but when you see it so close to home it shakes you to the core. To make matters worse, the children were not playing soccer or running around the house. They were playing videogames. Each of them on their own handheld console. No interaction. Nothing! What is happening?

We are wired! And our wired world, which is supposed to be keeping us connected to a global community, is making us more and more cutoff.

Does anyone else notice this trend? I'd love to hear your comments...

Let's encourage our kids to not only eat healthy meals, but to "turn off" for a few hours and get outside, get active, get going! This isn't just about us anymore folks, it's about our families, too.

Let's set a good example... Eat Clean (and get active) for Health and for Life!

MOMS!!! DADS!!! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Get ready for my next book:

THE EAT-CLEAN DIET FOR FAMILY

In order to make this book the best it can be I want to hear what's going on in your family...

Please take a few minutes to fill out The Eat-Clean Family Survey.

It should take less than 10 minutes and you will automatically be entered into a draw to win a year-long subscription to Clean Eating magazine!!!

Thank you.

Guess What's For Supper??

I've got a really busy day today so I got up early and fired up the slow cooker. What Clean-Eating meal did I dream up?

I chopped up carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, baking potatoes, and garlic. I filled the crock pot with these fresh ingredients. I also added red lentils, 5 cups of chicken stock and precooked turkey breast meat, from a turkey I roasted this weekend. I jazzed it up with spices, put the lid on it, and pressed "go"! It will be ready by the time I get home.

If you ever think you don't have time to prep a meal, rely on the slow cooker and whatever fresh or frozen ingredients you have on hand to take the sting out of getting a meal on the table.

Gotta run! See you next time.

Tosca

Latest Update

I had a lot of time to reflect on the weekend this morning as I ran on my treadmill. I'm increasing my cardio efforts this week to switch up my workout routine and keep things fresh. I really notice when I make changes to my routine because I have new-found energy and a fresh outlook on my exercise schedule. It really helps me to avoid boredom... the number one killer of any workout regime!

It's rare that I get to spend a weekend at home, so I took full advantage of this opportunity. I spent Saturday doing research for my latest book. It will be focused on the family and kids. How can we make clean eating fun for everyone? It is my mission to help you achieve this within your own families. The matter of healthy children is close to my heart. I am so unhappy with the state of health affairs in today's society. We have to find a way to reverse this trend. As I have stated numerous times in my column and books "there is a very real possibility children will not outlive their parents." I know how important my children are to me and I want to see them grow and live the healthiest lives possible. Do you want the same for your children and family members?

On Sunday I spent most of the day preparing food to keep me Eating Clean for the rest of the week. I roasted a delicious turkey and made a bunch of veggies to accompany it. I use those really big aluminum catering pans and throw all my veggies in there with a splash on olive oil, garlic and other seasonings, such as rosemary. With so many people in and out of the house on varying schedules during the week it's easiest to have a lot of leftovers so they can take whatever they need for lunch. There are no lunchables in my house!

Welcome to the start of a new week! Join me as we Eat Clean for health and for life!

Welcome to November

The 11th month of the year is gracing us with its presence. I can't believe Christmas is upon us in only a few short weeks. I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween experience yesterday. We don't get very many Trick or Treaters in my area, but I did help my step daughter with her crazy costume.

I currently have a cold that has developed out of the blue, as they always do. I have been trying to heal it with lots of sleep and tea. I have discovered this lovely, all-natural immunity tea:

1 cup of hot water
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Sliced ginger
1 clove of crushed garlic
1 tablespoon of honey (for taste and throat soothing)
Pinch of paprika (to energize the system)

You grow accustomed to the taste, which is mildly unpleasant, to say the least.

It's important to arm yourself with an arsenal of supplies to ward off the sickness that winter can present. Get lots of sleep, lots of exercise, and...of course... Eat Clean!

I'm going to go make some more tea...

Until next time, Eat Clean for Health and for Life!!

An Eat-Clean Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner. I've noticed the bulk boxes of chips and candy piling up in the grocery store for a few weeks now. As Clean Eaters we're not so inclined to eat all of these fatty and sugary treats, but how can we convince our kids? Here are my suggestions for making Halloween as CLEAN as possible for the whole family:

1. Limit Halloween candy. Some kids will go out with three different pillowcases!
Remember: you are teaching your whole family about Clean Eating. I'm not suggesting for a second that you tell your child/children "No Halloween," just be reasonable. They don't need enough candy from one night to last them a year. Let your kids have some extra treats on Halloween itself, but then limit it.

2. Have your children pick out two treats for each day. Put these treats in a plastic bag and label them with the date. They can be kept in their room, or in the freezer. Each day you can give your child/children the bag of treats with the day's date. This way it's very difficult for you to take their candy (they will know it's gone) and you'll also be helping to control their candy consumption.

3. Limit your candy consumption. Decide that each Friday, for example, you will have a treat. Get a baggy and label it with the date you're going to have it. Be sure you'll be able to stick to those dates. If you can't, get yourself some bubble bath and candles and when you are craving candy, have a nice hot bath instead. You could also buy flavored coffee such as mocha hazelnut. Have a cup of that with some warm milk for a treat.

4. Treat alternatives. You don't have to give out Halloween candy at your house. Go to a wholesalers or dollar store and buy costume jewelry, bouncy balls and other small, inexpensive toys. Let each child choose their own toy. Kids love this stuff and leftovers can be used for birthday party goody bags.

I'd love to hear any other ideas from my fellow Clean Eaters. Leave a comment with your suggestions!

Until next time, Eat Clean for health and for life.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Calling all Clean Eaters...

Do you have ripped abs or serious abdominal definition as a result of Clean Eating?

Do you have photo support?

If so, send an email to tosca@eatcleandiet.com.

Thank you!

Sweet Pain

Wow! What a killer weekend. Not only did I speak at Jenny Hendershott's Toronto Phat Camp on Friday evening, I also participated. I can't remember the last time my legs were this sore. I had to soak in a bath of Epsom salts to encourage healing in my legs. I usually enjoy the sweet pain I feel in my muscles after a hard workout, but I believe this was a moment where I overdid it.

There were 100 very determined participants at the camp, including 5 pregnant ladies! I was very impressed. Jen is the real deal! She pushes hard, strives hard and is extremely inspirational. Her bootcamp expertise along with my Q & A session really gave the crew a very well -rounded experience.

Training plateaus are easily reached and bootcamps are an excellent way to keep things fresh. You can overcome self-esteem issues or try something you've never done before. They are an excellent way to put the heat back into your training routines. Boredom at the gym is a one-way ticket to failure... who wants to do something that bores them? Not me, that's for sure! So take advantage of opportunities to spice things up and keep it fresh. Reading an issue of Oxygen never hurts!

On that note, we're working hard to put the finishing touches on the Eat-Clean Diet Workout book. It will be out in January and will be full of info on starting, maintaining and switching-up your workouts.

Keep up the good work and continue to Eat Clean for health and for life.

It's Never Too Late...

I would like to wish congratulations to my older sister, Martina, who will be celebrating her graduation today. The ladies in my family certainly seem to be late bloomers! This will be my sister's 2nd university graduation, and she will finally be receiving the degree she has always wanted! I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. She got a second chance and ran with it! I can't wait to celebrate with her.

I did the same thing in my life. I realized I wasn't happy where I was and needed to get out and move on. I was so lucky to be granted another opportunity to live my life to its fullest potential. I grabbed the bull by the horns, so to speak, and took advantage. Not only did I make a difference in my life, but I can now do the same for you. But you have to help me...

Take advantage of this opportunity. It is NEVER too late to start. You have been given this wonderful body full of life and it's your privilege to take care of it and maintain its optimum health. Eating Clean, training hard, sleeping well, working hard and loving life are all gifts that you can give to your body. It will reward you! Living out your best life is your way of saying "thank you" for being granted the opportunity to live. I want to celebrate with you, too!

So a BIG congratulations to my big sister for doing it... and a BIG shout of encouragment to you... you CAN do it!

Chilly October Day

Well the cold has set in up here in Toronto. It was a blustery, rainy weekend that had me wrapped up in sweats. My workouts were a great way to warm me up, and I put together a lovely chicken noodle soup for my family. Delicious! I live in the country and the fall colours are in full force. It makes for a beautiful drive from the market where I buy my favourite Clean Eating foods to my home. Take the time to notice the changing season around you. That is if you're not living in the south where I'm sure it's still warm!

The last few weeks have been quite busy promoting the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook and preparing for the Eat-Clean Diet Workout book. I forced myself to take Saturday off from work and spend some time with my children and a good book I haven't picked up in quite some time. Make sure that you're taking some time to enjoy life, too. You're eating well, your exercising, and you emit tons of energy and vitality... share it with those around you who you love.

If you don't take a few moments to relax life will pass you by. Eating Clean is about more than 6 meals a day and exercising on a regular basis. It's about being in your best state of health so you can do the things you love most.

Today, as I get back to the grind, I appreciate the time I took this weekend to put my feet up...

So ask yourself today... did you take time to relax this weekend and say thank you to yourself for all that you do in day?

All Thanks to You...

I apologize for the delay in updating all of you on the happenings in the Eat-Clean World. I shot the video for the Eat-Clean Diet Workout book last week. We had a couple of very long days. This book will be out in January so we have a lot to do! Then, as my Canadian fans know, it was Thanksgiving Weekend.

A Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope some of you tried out the recipes from the "A Festive Occassion" section of the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook. My family and I enjoyed the Roasted Bison Tenderloin, Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Brown Rice and Apple Stuffing, Low-Fat Gravy and Cranberry Sauce. Of course, we're still enjoying it because there are plenty of leftovers!

I had a lot to be thankful for this weekend because both the Eat-Clean Diet and the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook have been great successes.

I am happy to announce the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook was #1 in its first week!

This is all because of you!! Thank you so much for supporting me and believing in me. All I want to do is share my passion for a healthy lifestyle with you and motivate you to do the same!

Keep up the good work and remember to Eat Clean for health and for life!

JNL Weekend

What a great weekend in Miami. The Hotel Victor was fantastic and the JNL crew put together a wonderful event. I had an excellent time interacting with 30 wonderful women who gave it their all at the High Octane Bikini Boot Camp. I was happy to spread the word of Clean Eating and give all of you some inspirational words... it's never too late!

It's seems more and more of you are picking up the vibe of Clean Eating. You all know how important it is to lead lives that are as healthy as possible. I am thrilled to share as much information as I can with you! Keep an eye out for me today on your local Tampa and St. Petersburg Fox TV station where I can give you even more information on Eating Clean!

I'll be heading back to Canada this afternoon and I'm eager to kick up my personal Clean Eating a notch as I begin to shoot the workout DVD for the Eat-Clean Workout Book. I want to hear your excitement for this one. I know you've all been asking for it!

Enjoy your day and remember... I'm always listening!

Mexican Moments

Hello my fellow Clean Eaters!

I am writing to you from sunny Acapulco, Mexico. I am here to judge a fitness competition. It has been nice to take a few days off from the impending fall greeting us up in Toronto and soak up the sun.

It has been busy busy at home with the debut of the EAT-CLEAN DIET COOKBOOK. I am so excited to bring this to you. It was hot off the press last week and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. It will be in stores by the 25th of September so keep an eye out. If you just can't wait please order it by calling 1-866-837-6032.

Anyways folks I'll be back in the country soon! Look out for me in Miami next weekend when Jennifer Nicole Lee and I will be kicking your butt at her annual Bikini Boot Camp. I'll also be making a few TV appearances in the Florida area. Check my Website for more information.

I'm going to go enjoy a delicious Mexican-style omelet before I head back in for a weekend full of judging! Be sure to take some time to enjoy your weekend, too!

Be the Best You Can Be

Whether American, or Canadian, or from another continent today holds a special place in our hearts. The events that occurred on Sept. 11th, 2001 touched each of us in our own way. I'm sure we all remember where we were when we heard the news. Events such as this also remind us of the fragility and wonder of life.

I'd like to ask you today to remember the importance of your health and life. Be the best person you can be by taking care of yourself and giving yourself the proper exercise and nutrients to maintain your health. We set an example for others by doing so and show our respect for life. Not only will we be able to take better care of ourselves, we will be able to take better care of those around us who we love and cherish and who offer us the same sentiments.

Thank you so much to the dedicated men and women who gave up their lives for others on 9/11. To their families and friends. May their lives be honoured as you carry on their memories everyday.

Fall Is Upon Us

Hello Fellow Clean Eaters,

September is upon us! How quickly the month of August passed. I took some much needed vacation time away from my computer and supplemented by spending time with my daughters and doing things around the house. Now, it's back into a routine.

I appreciate the change that fall brings. A change in the weather (for us here in Canada) and a change in the daily grind with school back in session. I have spent the past week moving two of my daughters out of the house and into their respective schools. It has been busy, what with packing (and unpacking at the other end), painting, cleaning and decorating less than lovely student housing. Seeing the bright, shining faces of new students venturing into another year of school reminded me of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and determination to eat clean and stay healthy!

Now is the time to revamp your workout if you've plateaud or add a new veggie/fruit to your clean-eating repertoire. Now that summer is departing us, let's use fall as a fresh start on our way to healthy lifestyles!!

Out West!

Howdy!! What a naturally stunning Canadian gem of a town! Banff, Alberta is gorgeous and a place where folks can participate in many healthy activities. We have hiked Sulfur Mountain, trekked the Bow Falls and navigated the foaming waters of the Bow River in Golden, B.C. in a raft. At this moment I am sipping a much anticipated glass of red wine with my daughters and enjoying the view of majestic Mount Norquay. I am completely exhausted but it feels marvellous.

My 16 year old daughter Kelsey-Lynn has been dancing at the Banff Center here in Banff. Talk about fitness! Sixty two young people from all over Canada and the US auditioned and have been accepted into this gruelling dance training program. They dance every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and still have energy to party at night. I am impressed!

Rachel and Kiersten, my older two daughters, are staying in the West and taking a two week tour of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. All this before starting back to school in September. Chelsea will head off to camp pretty soon too.

I am working on more books but not tonight. We are settling in for a girls' night before we go our separate ways tomorrow. Party on!

Summer Travels

My family and I will be trekking to Banff, AB this weekend to see my daughter perform for the Banff Center for the Arts. Clean Eating can be a breeze when you have all the comforts of home, but travelling offers some challenges. Before we leave for the airport I will pack a cooler full of clean foods to have at the ready. It can be difficult to find healthy food in the airport where muffin stands and greasy food courts abound. When travelling internationally you cannot bring fresh fruits or lean meats across customs. Keep this in mind when you are packing your own cooler for the airport. Try nuts and even protein shakes. Veggie wraps should be fine, too.

Once arriving in your destination keep an eye out for healthy dining options. Most menus offer something related to Clean Eating. Don't be afraid to ask the waiter or waitress to modify your order to your Clean-Eating standards. I am most looking forward to trying some new lean protein options, such as elk, caribou, buffalo and, of course, bison. Seek out new and exciting menu choices during your next vacation, too. Clean Eating doesn't have to be boring and repetitive, so give your meals a twist.

Remember that vacation doesn't mean a vacation from your lifestyle choices... keep up with Clean Eating... I'll be doing it right along with you.

Things to Look Out for...

One of my favourite things to do at seminars is ask everyone to stand up, grab their booty and give it a good squeeze! Is it rock hard? Or could it rival Jell-O? Maybe it's as flat as a board? Either way our rear ends can always use a little extra TLC. In light of this, I have begun writing the Butt Diet Book as a follow up to the Butt Book. Some of you may have already picked up the Butt Book (see picture). If not be sure to grab a copy at ToscaReno.com.

Plans are currently underway to begin shooting the Eat-Clean Diet Workout Video. You can imagine that clean eating is in full force more than ever at my house in preparation for hours of shooting ahead. Keep an eye out for the debuts of both of these exciting additions!

Eat-Clean July Update

Hello fellow Clean Eaters! It's been awhile since I last updated you on the happenings. So far summer has been exciting with plenty to keep me busy. Did any West Coasters see me on TV 2 weeks ago? I was on a west coast tour of 5 cities in 5 days.. phewf!!

I can't believe there are only 6 weeks of summer left. We just wrapped the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook, which will be coming out in September. Check out my personal website www.toscareno.com to pre-order your copy today. I am so excited about this book. It's the latest in the Eat-Clean series and is jam packed with delicious recipes and gorgeous photos. You can also win a copy of the book by signing up on the Eat-Clean Diet website. Good luck!

I'm looking forward to my family vacation coming up soon. We will be travelling to Las Vegas to take in the sites and see Celine Dion perform before her show ends. Ms. Dion is one of my favorites and I was thrilled to receive the tickets and trip as a birthday present from my family. I'll also be visiting with my good friends Terry and Elaine Goodlad while I am in town. I hope you're taking some summer vacation time, too. Don't let the good weather get away from you. Soon enough we'll be back in coats and boots.

Now if only I could recover from putting my back out this past weekend I would be able to get started on a few more exciting things I have in store for you. Stay tuned...

Eat Clean for a new You this summer!

Hi There!

It’s a very exciting time for all of us, especially with summer just around the corner, so I thought I would write you a quick note to let you know I am thinking about you and to share some exciting news with you.

Perhaps it’s because we are all getting a touch of spring fever, but I'm getting tons of e-mails every day. Most of them are people asking how to lose those stubborn pounds that won’t budge even when they are training. I have been asked this question so frequently and my answer to you is by Eating Clean.

Eating Clean is the healthy way to lose weight and keep it off forever. I am totally confident that no other diet or nutrition program works so perfectly.

At 48 years of age I feel and look the best I ever have and I want you to experience this same success, which is why I wrote The Eat-Clean Diet book. The Eat-Clean Diet book is a true story based on how I lost nearly 80 pounds several years ago and kept it off.

I am excited to share with you that The Eat-Clean Diet book has been a tremendous success! Sales have been absolutely phenomenal, surprising even us! We are now in our third printing and are on many bestseller lists!

The Eat-Clean Diet book has transformed so many lives and I really want you to be part of such an exciting time by discovering for yourself how to Eat Clean.

Check out my website www.eatcleandiet.com.

Make it your possibility and then your reality. I know you can do it.