2011 A New Year A New You: New Year's Resolutions - Tips from Tosca and the Team!

Setting New Year's Resolutions is a lot like making a lane change while driving, unless you're moving in the direction you want to go it's impossible to get into the desired lane. If you were always stuck in one lane you'd be on the road to nowhere. We want to help you get moving in the direction you want to go and to make the lane change from a stale and stagnant life to the life you have always dreamed of living! 

Here are some tips from Tosca and the Team:

Set New Year's Resolutions to help you get into your fast lane! 

Reflect! Reflect on 2010 and ask yourself some key questions: what did you achieve? Did you fail at something? How do you want to do better? Were your goals attainable? Were they reasonable? What held you back? Did you have a support system? 

Write it down! Get out a pen and a piece of paper and write down what you see yourself achieving in the next week, month, 3 months and so on. Write it all down. It could be something as simple as getting a manicure once a week to losing 20lbs in time for the summer. Stick this somewhere you can see it, like on the fridge or your bathroom mirror. 

Start small! When getting ready to make your resolutions, take a good hard look at your life and the things you want to achieve and assess whether or not your resolutions are attainable. Do you see yourself actually achieving these things in the next year or will you just end up getting frustrated and throw in the towel? Be honest and real with yourself. You don't have to move a mountain this year but you might be able to move a few inches.  

Plan ahead! Think of the tools you will need in order to achieve your goals. Is it a gym membership? A cooler? A journal? A support system? Whatever it is think about it and act! If you have all the tools you'll be less likely to make-up excuses.

Be accountable! There is a lot to be said for tracking your process. Write in a journal, create a blog or make a motivation board - whatever you need to track the progress of your resolution. Becoming accountable for your actions will help you stay on track. Whether it's weight loss goals or lifestyle changes you're hoping to achieve, you want to be able to look at where you started, how far you have come and what you see yourself moving towards. Consider joining our interactive community, the Kitchen Table where you can share stories, photos, meal plans and recipes as well as meet a support system to help you along the way! 

Make 2011 about creating the best you! Achieve your resolutions and share you journey with us! 

What you can expect from us? In 2011 Tosca Reno and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team are hoping to implement some dramatic changes:

- The blog will have a fresh new face in January

- We are launching 2 new books - which we will be announcing in the spring

- Watch as members of the team train for another half marathon

- Continued support in your health and weight loss endeavors

- Shout outs and celebrations to our success stories - are you going to be one of our next cover models? Remember Meghan Murphy? 

- Announce our V.I.P Eat-Clean Diet members and watch as we are sponsoring our pro-team to go to the Boston Marathon

If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see change on our toscareno.com website share your comments on the blog. 

What would like to see Tosca do most?

1. Triathlon

2. 1/2 Marathon

3. Compete in a physique contest 

Cheers, 

Tosca Reno and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team

Learn more about Tosca Reno, the Eat-Clean Diet® and the Eat-Clean Diet® Series on our websites! 

Please join our  Facebook, twitter and the Kitchen Table communities to get frequent updates and endless support from fans and followers of the Eat-Clean Diet® ,  the Eat-Clean Diet® Team and Tosca Reno herself. Tosca and the Team are always here for you and will see you through this journey every step of the way! 

2011 A New Year A New You: Top 5 Reasons Why the Eat-Clean Diet® Is the Lifestyle Diet of 2011

The New Year brings on a wave of resolutions regarding health, wellness and weight loss. It is a time to reflect on the last year's mishaps, trips, and falls and set new standards for the New Year. People become charged with inspiration for creating their best body yet, eating well and really getting it "right" this time. Diets, training regimes, you name it are all revamped and set in place. But, where do you start? There are so many "diet" plans to choose from, there are so many books, magazines, people but does anything really work? Questions start zooming into your head: what if I fall off the wagon? what if I put all that weight back on? What if I can't achieve my goals? It's a a tizzy of resolution action floating around in your brain! 

Well the Eat-Clean Diet® Team and Tosca Reno, are here to help! We want to shed some light on what makes the Eat-Clean Diet® unique from other weight loss plans and how it is sustainable, maintainable and attainable to follow. Unlike many diet plans the Eat-Clean Diet®  is more like a lifestyle change, it encourages you to change your eating habits but not restrict them. Instead of eating less food, you eat more! What you eat more of is healthy, nutritious food not processed, refined junk. The Eat-Clean Diet®is a guarantee, not many fad diets can say the same. Once you begin to Eat-Clean you'll see the weight come off and stay off. 

Top  5 Reasons Why the Eat-Clean Diet®  is the Lifestyle Diet of 2011

1. A calorie is not a calorie: as Weight Watchers announced in fall 2010 a "calorie is not a calorie", the Eat-Clean Diet® has been advocating this for years. Calories cannot be accurately measured. The way in which we consume food and metabolize food is different for everyone. What we can measure is the source of the calorie and the nutritional value of that calorie. Think: the calorie from a donut is not the same as a calorie from an apple. 

2. Clean food is plentiful: Despite what many people may think, there is great variety when it comes to clean foods. It's not just apples or chicken. Foods range from fish, nuts, eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, quinoa, beans, legumes, plants, bison, lean beef, and chicken - the list goes on. The food is also delicious! Once you train your taste buds to eat only clean foods, you'll wonder how you ever indulged in sweet, refined or processed food. Clean foods have fresh taste and texture. Having such great diversity in food saves you from craving and indulging in junk food that packs on unwanted pounds. 

3. Eating Clean is not restrictive: Many diet plans encourage you to restrict the amount of calories you consume, leaving you starving, tired and weak. When you restrict calories you train your metabolism to turn off - doing your body and your health a disservice. When you eat clean you are encouraged to eat 6 times a day to keep your metabolism running in tip-top shape. You won't go hungry, but you will be feeding your body healthy nutrition. A lifestyle that encourages you to eat when you are hungry is key to maintaining any weight loss or gain that you are hoping to achieve. You won't feel deprived and you certainly won't feel weak. 

4. Eating Clean helps you achieve the body you've always wanted: Because you are feeding your body nutritious food regularly and speeding up your metabolism, you will create the body and shape you were intended to have. This body functions with vigor and energy - it is lean and toned. In the quest for weight loss or maintenance, it is 80% nutrition, 10% exercise and 10% genetics. A huge element as you can see is diet, and eating clean ensures that your diet is extremely healthy.

5. Eating clean builds the best health: Sugar, processed foods, chemicals and junk food all hinder you from achieving your best health. Foods like these set you up for a long history of health problems ranging from diabetes to cancer. When you eat nutritious, healthy and clean food you are building up a body with the best health. This is a body that can fight off disease and illness, - one with glowing skin, long nails and healthy hair. You will lean out and gain definition! Nutrition in means nutrition out, and you want to put the best nutritious foods in to your body. Get rid of all that junk! Ground flaxseed, blueberries, fish and leafy greens should be the first items in your grocery bags and the first thing on your dinner plate.  

Cheers, 

Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet® Team

Learn more about Tosca Reno, the Eat-Clean Diet® and the Eat-Clean Diet® Series on our websites! 

Please join our  Facebook, twitter and the Kitchen Table communities to get frequent updates and endless support from fans and followers of the Eat-Clean Diet® ,  the Eat-Clean Diet® Team and Tosca Reno herself. Tosca and the Team are always here for you and will see you through this journey every step of the way! 

2011 A New Year A New You

The New Year is fast approaching and there is no better time than a new year to create a new you! This year, you might be aiming to loose or gain a few pounds, tone your body, increase your health or perhaps you simply want a change of pace. Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet® Team want to help you set and achieve whatever goals you have set for 2011. 

After a few too many indulgences over Christmas and the Holiday we want to help you get back on track, and set you moving forward for your best year yet! The Eat-Clean Diet® Team and Tosca Reno want to reflect with you on the unique and special elements that make the Eat-Clean Diet® a lifestyle change for everyone. We want to prepare you for setting attainable health and wellness New Year's Resolutions and we want to see you through those resolutions! 

Follow us on the Blog, Facebook, twitter and the Kitchen Table as we enter into a brand new year together! 

Cheers, 

Tosca Reno and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team

Learn more about Tosca Reno, the Eat-Clean Diet® and the Eat-Clean Diet® Series on our websites! 

Please join our  Facebook, twitter and the Kitchen Table communities to get frequent updates and endless support from fans and followers of the Eat-Clean Diet® ,  the Eat-Clean Diet® Team and Tosca Reno herself. Tosca and the Team are always here for you and will see you through this journey every step of the way! 

Eat-Clean in First Magazine

Pick up a copy of the January 10th issue of First Magazine to get Tosca's advice on shedding excess pounds!

You'll also meet Eat-Clean Success Story Allison Earnst! She lost over 50 pounds by Eating Clean! 

First Magazine's January 10th edition will be on newsstands from the end of December to early January. 

Day 25 of 25 Days of Giving

Happy Christmas to you and yours on this lovely holiday Saturday. 


Today's give is easy for all of us to do... time. Today I am giving my time to my family. 


It’s the best gift you can give over the holidays.


Thank you to all of you who have participated in our 25 Days of Giving experience. I hope it has inspired many of you to think about all of the things you can do without spending money. Giving meals, giving hugs, giving time, giving love. It's easy, simple and appreciated by all more than you can know.


Let's continue the spirit of giving well after this holiday season. 


Thank you for giving your time to me. Now, let's go share it with the ones we love. 


Happy Christmas. 
Tosca
 

And Our Winner Is!

The Winner of this week's Eat-Clean Diet® starter Kit (Eat-Clean Diet® Recharged, Eat-Clean Diet® Cookbook, and Eat-Clean Diet® Companion) is Angela from Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet Blog. Angela is often contributing on the Blog. She has also been an active participant in this month's 25 Days of Giving Campaign. Congratulations Angela!

Thank you all so much for contributing in this month's Give campaign. It has been an outstanding success. Keep on giving everyone. 

Happy Holidays, 

Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet® Team  

Day 24 of the 25 Days of Giving

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland

We are one day away from our last day of Giving and of course Christmas! Even though our season of giving is coming to an end, the spirit of giving will extend throughout the new year. Our 25 Days of Giving Campaign has been such a joyous experience for all of us to share together. Each story, comment and give has inspired me to give more. You are all such inspirations! Thank you for joining in with me and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team. Keep on giving!

Today's give is simple, I am going to give my family as many hugs as I can. Give someone close to you some hugs and love!

Happy Holidays Everyone! And remember we will be announcing the winner of this week's Give giveaway today. Find more information on the Gives Giveaway.

Cheers,

Tosca Reno and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team

Each of your comments enters you to win an Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit! There is only one more to go! Make sure you're posting your gives on facebook, twitter and here on the blog. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random from each of the sites listed above. This is the last final week of giveaways. 

Day 23 of the 25 Days of Giving

Only 2 sleeps away from Christmas day! And one more sleep until the last "Give" Giveaway! Remember we will be giving away an Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit. No entry is required we will be selecting our winners at random!

Today I am giving my best friend Kathy a call. She lives in Alberta and we don't often see each other, it is nice to have a chance to reconnect over the holidays. Is there a long distance friend you can call this holiday season? 

Keep up the great giving spirit! 

Cheers, 

Tosca and the Eat-Clean Diet® Team

Announcing the Winner tomorrow!

I will be announcing the winner of the final Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit tomorrow! Remember that the winners are selected at random by our Eat-Clean Diet® team, there is no entry necessary.


I am so happy to be celebrating our daily "gives" and want to spread the holiday spirit! Thus, I will be announcing this week's winner of Eat-Clean Diet Starter Kit (Eat-Clean Diet Recharged, Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook and Eat-Clean Diet Companion) tomorrow! 


Make sure you all stop by Facebook, the Kitchen Table, twitter or here on the blog for your chance to win. No entry is necessary; we are selecting our winners at random from each of my sites listed above. 


Cheers, 


Tosca .

Day 22 of 25 Days of Giving

Today's give in simple and thoughtful. My husband has quite the shoe collection and today I will be polishing them before he heads off to work. So shiny!!

-Tosca


Each of your comments enters you to win an Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit! There is only one more to go! Make sure you're posting your gives on facebook, twitter and here on the blog. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random from each of the sites listed above. 

Day 21 of the 25 Days of Giving

It is going to be a white Christmas at our house! 

Can you believe it? There are only 4 days away until Christmas! I am so excited for my girls to come home from school so we can spend some quality time together.

My daughter Rachel is writing her last exam today so my give is for her! I am going to buy her the fixings for a clean nutritious post exam meal. Is there someone close to you that you can prepare a clean meal for? 

Remember there is still one more Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit to giveaway this week! Keep on giving! 

Cheers, 

Tosca Reno

Each of your comments enters you to win a Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit! There is only one more to go! Make sure you're posting your gives on facebook, twitter and on the blog. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random from each of the sites listed above. 

Day 20 of the 25 Days of Giving

Today I'm giving the gift of time to my daughters! 

The last few months have been extremely hectic with work:  business trips, book launches, photo shoots, article writing you name it! I feel like I have had very little time for my family and myself. 

For today's gift I am taking my two daughters, Chelsea and Kiersten, to a yoga class led by my good friend Angelika for some much needed relaxation and girl-time! My girls love yoga so this will be a great activity for all of us. Can you invite someone close to you to the gym or the studio?

Happy Giving!

Tosca

Each of your comments enters you to win an Eat-Clean Diet® Starter Kit! There is only one more to go! Make sure you're posting your gives on facebook, twitter and here on the blog. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random from each of the sites listed above. 

Day 19 of 25 Days of Giving

We have so few days left in our 25 Days of Giving. I want to continue the giving spirit well after the holidays. Will you?

Today I am giving my husband help with his Christmas wrapping. We are going shopping for a few small gifts and then we are having a nice meal, lighting some candles, pouring a glass of red wine, and learning how to tie ribbons and bows.

It's a small but simple gift of my time to share with him.

What are you giving today?

Day 18 of 25 Days of Giving

25 Days of Giving continues today... but only week remains!


What have you been giving?


Today's give is simple, but heartfelt. Many students are plugging away to finish up their last few exams of the term. My daughter, Kelsey-Lynn, finished her finals on Thursday, and my daughter, Rachel, will finish her exams on Tuesday. So to help her out,  today I am giving her a care package to help her get through her remaining exams. Is there an exhausted student you can help?


Happy Saturday!
Tosca

And Our Winner Is!

The Winner of this week's Eat-Clean Diet® starter Kit (Eat-Clean Diet® Recharged, Eat-Clean Diet® Cookbook, and Eat-Clean Diet® Companion) is Patricia from Tosca Reno's Tosca Reno Facebook fan page. Patricia is always contributing on The Kitchen Table and the Tosca Reno Facebook Fanpage. She has also been an active participant in this month's 25 Days of Giving Campaign. Congratulations Patricia!

Don't fret! There are still 2 more chances to win during our Give campaign. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random. The next two winners will be selected from one of Tosca's various communities: twitter, Facebook, the blog and the Kitchen Table. So start posting and give-give-giving! 

Cheers, 

Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet® Team  

Day 17 of 25 Days of Giving

We are 17 days into our 25 Days of Giving, and we're 1 week away from Christmas Eve. Unbelievable! Have you been enjoying the giving spirit?

Today we'll be selecting our winner for this week's latest giveaway. If you don't win this time, don't fret, there is still next week.

Today's GIVE:

Today I am giving a list of my favorite movies to my brother, Ron. I like:

a) Chasing Ned Divine

b) Calendar Girls

c) The Last of the Mohicans

d) My House in Umbria

e) Under the Tuscan Sun 

What movie suggestions can you give?

Day 16 of 25 Days of Giving

The giving keeps on going...

We are getting close to picking our latest winner, so don't forget to comment!

We've had a lot of snow here in Ontario of the past few days, so today I am giving the snow in my neighbor’s driveway a shovel, since I know he has a hard time doing it himself.

Can you give someone the gift of shoveling?

-Tosca

The Latest YBBN Review

A Your Best Body Now review from Diets In Review:                                                                                                                                            

"Your Best Body Now is the latest installment by Tosca Reno to help you perfect the Eat-Clean lifestyle. This book will be helpful and will offer you more information on changing your eating habits, workout habits and help you lose weight. This book is designed to help you get your best body no matter what your age. 

With the eating and workout plan in this book, you will get the body you’ve wanted. It includes the tools you need to create a slim and well toned body. Those who have enjoyed Reno’s previous books will undoubtedly enjoy this one as well."

Thank you for your kind words!

-Tosca

Day 15 of 25 Days of Giving

Today is the Robert Kennedy Publishing Christmas potluck. I am sharing the holiday spirit by making my coworkers Grandma's Favorite Oatmeal Cookies from the original Eat-Clean Diet® and a big urn of coffee. This is a tried-and-true recipe, but unfortunately it isn't terribly clean so this is a little bit of a give to myself today, too.


Enjoy the recipe below:


YIELD: 24 servings

PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes

COOK TIME: 15-20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 1/3 cups unsalted Olivina margarine

2 cups packed brown sugar

3 large omega-3 eggs

3 tbsp honey

1 tbsp best-quality vanilla

1 ½ tsp sea salt

3 lbs (8 cups) old-fashioned rolled oats

4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

8 oz dark raisins (optional) 

8 oz coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat sheets. 
3. Cream the margarine and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. 
4. Beat in eggs, honey, vanilla and sea salt until smooth and creamy. 
5. Use a large wooden spatula or your clean hands (best plan) to work in flour and oats until well combined. Add raisins and walnuts if desired and mix until evenly distributed. 
6. Shape the dough into large 3-inch balls and press into five- or six-inch flat cookies on baking sheets. 
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown as you desire. 
8. Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

Don't forget! Each of your comments enters you to win! Make sure you're posting your gives on facebook, twitter or here on the blog. No entry is necessary, we are selecting our winners at random from each of the sites listed above! 

Day 14 of 25 Days of Giving

Can you believe we've been giving for 2 weeks already! How do you feel? I am loving this and want to continue it through the New Year. Remember, one small "give" goes a long, long way.

Today's GIVE:
Today I am giving my brother, Rene, my favorite workout songs to load onto his iPod. 
My top 5 right now are:
1) The Time - The Black Eyed Peas
2) I'm Not Afraid - Eminem
3) Firework - Katy Perry
4) What's My Name - Rihanna
5) Indestructible - Robyn


Do you have any music you can share? Even burning a CD and sharing with a friend is a great pick me up!

Tosca

Day 13 of 25 Days of Giving

It's Monday and we all need a little inspiration in our lives! That is the theme of today's GIVE:

Today I am giving my favorite inspirational quote from Goethe to my friend Leslie. "Whatever you can dream you can do or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." This inspirational quote has seen me through thick and thin. What words can you give to someone in need?

Don't forget! Each of your comments enters you to win!

Tosca

Live Chat With Me Tomorrow!

Just a reminder that tomorrow I will be chatting live on Dec 13th on Facebook. Join me!

Day 12 of 25 Days of Giving

There is nothing better to do on a glorious Sunday than brewing up a delicious chicken noodle soup.

Today's GIVE:
Today I am cooking a small chicken and then using the bones to make stock for homemade "Chicken Soup - Humble but Divine" from the Eat-Clean Diet for Family & Kids to give to my family tonight for dinner. View the recipe below to try it out for yourself. 


ECD FK 244 Chicken Soup

Day 11 of 25 Days of Giving

Today I am giving one of my favorite gifts. The gift that keeps on giving... 


Today's GIVE: 
Today I am making Amish friendship bread and giving some of the batter to 2 friends so they can start their own loaves just in time for the holidays. You can give this give my viewing the recipe below. 


AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD


I want to give a shout-out to my daughters' grandmother, my ex-mother-in-law, who shared this recipe with me years and years ago. I still enjoy the spirit of the gift and the delicious end result. I will admit, this isn't the cleanest of recipes!

DO NOT USE METAL BEATERS, BOWL OR EQUIPMENT TO MAKE THIS RECIPE.

Prep Time: 30 min
Ready In: 9 days & 30 minutes


Starter Ingredients for 10 Day Process
1x0.25 ounce pkg of active dry yeast
1/4 c warm water (110 degrees Fahrenheit/45 degrees Celcius is best)
3 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
3 c white sugar, divided
3 c milk


Method
1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. 
2. In a 2-quart (2 Liter) non-metallic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly.
3. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. 
4. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. 


Day #1: Make/receive the batter. Do nothing aside from leaving it loosely covered at room temperature.

Day #2: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #3: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #4: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #5: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #6: Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.

Day #7: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #8: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #9: Stir mixture or squeeze bag.

Day #10: Combine in large non-metallic bowl the contents of the plastic bag with one cup each flour, sugar and milk.  Mix with a wooden spoon.  Divide the starter into 3 equal one cup portions and place into zip lock bags.  Give one bag each to a friend.

Ingredients for Amish Bread

1 c vegetable oil

1 c sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

½ tsp sea salt

2 c flour

½ c skim milk

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix

2 tsp cinnamon

Method

1. 

Prepare 2 loaf pans by oiling them and dusting lightly with flour.  Shake excess flour out. 

Prepare oven to 325 degrees F.

2. 

Mix all ingredients together very well.

3. Pour batter into 2 large prepared loaf pans.

4. Sprinkle with sugar before baking.

Another Your Best Body Now Review

Thanks to Gail Gedan Spencer for your lovely review of Your Best Body Now review at Examiner:   

"Author and fitness model Tosca Reno is the undisputed queen of clean eating and fitness after 40. Her latest book, Your Best Body Now, goes beyond eating and cooking for a whole-body renewal project for women of "a certain age." The book begins with how Reno sculpted her body into shape. And she wasn't some 20-something swimsuit model. Nope -- she became the healthy-living model of health after 40.  There are chapters on diet, fitness, general health and beauty -- work on the whole package. The next section is your Tool Kit, with sections on inspiration, recipes and a journal with a food and fitness tracker."