Book Signing-Weeknights With Giada

I finally got to meet one of my favorite Celebrity Chefs, Giada DeLaurentiis Wednesday at Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, CT.  My client Katie who lives in Greenwich, CT mentioned to me that Giada was having a book signing there on Wednesday, so I had to go!  My schedule is usually booked from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesdays, but a colleague of mine, Brendan, was more than happy to take over my afternoon schedule.  

I'm a huge fan of Giada's Food Network shows and all of her New York Times bestselling cookbooks. She is definitely one of America's most loved culinary stars.  She is so beautiful in person and really appreciates her fans.

  I love this new cookbook Weeknights With Giada!  This cookbook contains all her favorite tips and go-to dishes- all in her signature style!  In addition to great weeknight recipes are gorgeous color photographs and intimate home snapshots of Giada and her family.  I waited in line for two hours so I had lots of time to go through it =)

I can't wait to try all the recipes.  Everyone looks so appetizing!

Yep here it is signed just for me!  haha!

Visit Giada at www.giadadelaurentiis.com

Training Split

This is one of my training programs, if you are looking for a new training split/program you might want to try it out. You can add cardio sessions too if you like. I rarely post workouts that I haven't already done. This training schedule is advanced for someone that has already been lifting and understands the exercises and proper form. Check it out guaranteed to jack you up!

Day One - Chest & Back

• DB Chest Press 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Barbell Bent Over Rows 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Incline Barbell Bench Press 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Pec Dec or Flys 3 Sets of 10 Reps
• Pull-Ups Wide Grip 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Combo Lying Leg Raise/Bench Press

Day Two - Legs & Abs

Warm-up with 50 walking lunges (no weight)

• Leg Press 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Weighted Floor Crunch 4 Sets of 20 Reps
• Barbell Squats 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Leg Extensions 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Hanging Knee Raises 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Bench Rebounds 4 Sets of 15 Reps

Day Three - Shoulders & Biceps

Warm-up with 7 minutes of Rowing.

• Seated DB Overhead Press 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Lateral Raises 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Standing Barbell Raises 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• DB Front Raises 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• DB Hammer Curl 4 Sets of 10 Reps

Day Four - Hamstrings/Glutes, Triceps and Abs

Warm-up with 25 Walking Lunges (no weight) followed by 25 close-hand Push-ups

• Barbell Deadlifts 4 Sets of 6 or 8 Reps
• Farmers Walk 4 Sets or Laps with Heavy DB's
• Walking Lunges 4 Sets of 10 Reps with Weights
• Close Grip Bench Press 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Tricep Kickbacks 4 Sets of 10 Reps
• Floor Crunch Burn-outs 4 Sets of as many crunches possible

Nike Pro Combat DRI-FIT

This seasons must have Nike Pro Combat DRI-FIT training shirt!  The weather can turn in a split second, as it did here in New York!  November was almost spring like here, I was still wearing tees, but now it's starting to get pretty cold. 

If you want to outshine the elements you should try out this Nike Pro Combat DRI-FIT, black, half zip training shirt.  I love it so much I purchased two. 


 This training shirt is warm without the extra bulk.  It's fitted and really hugs your curves. The half zip is great and it's also is long enough to cover your bottom.  I love them for my workouts and also for when I am training clients.  


I also purchased a few cold weather headbands to keep my head warm and my hair in place.  I love this orange color headband and it works well as an accent color to my black training wardrobe.

Berry Benefits

Perhaps you only use cranberries around the holidays, but you'd be wise to keep them on the menu all year long.  Research shows that they may increase your level of HDL cholesterol, the good kind that prevents plaque from building up in your arteries.  They're also packed with flavonoids-antioxidants thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.  Give your ticker a treat by adding dried cranberries to everything from salad and cereal to trail mix and rice dishes.

Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti

These 95 calorie biscotti are bejeweled with dried apricots, cranberries, and pistachios adding to their beauty, sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture too.

ingredients

2	c	white whole- wheat flour
1⁄2	c	almond flour (available at specialty stores)
1	t	baking powder
1	t	ground cinnamon
1⁄4	t	salt
2		large eggs, 1 separated
1⁄4	c	light olive oil
1⁄2	c	plus 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
2	t	finely grated orange zest
1⁄2	c	coarsely chopped dried apricots
1⁄2	c	coarsely chopped dried cranberries
1⁄2	c	coarsely chopped unsalted pistachios

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat together 1 whole egg, 1 yolk (reserve egg white), olive oil, and 1⁄2 cup sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture while mixing until just combined. Stir in orange zest, apricots,cranberries, and pistachios.

4. On a floured work surface, form dough into 2 logs approximately 10 inches long. Place on the baking sheet and flatten each log until about 1 inch high and 2 inches wide. Brush each log with reserved egg white and sprinkle with reservedtablespoon of sugar.

5. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned and surfaces begin to crack. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes, then place logs onto a cutting board using a large spatula.

6. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. When logs are cool enough to handle, cut into 1⁄2-inch-thick slices on the diagonal using a serrated knife. Return slices to baking sheet and bake for 10 to15 minutes more, depending on the crispness desired. Cool completely on a wire rack.

SERVES: 30

PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 50 MINUTES

(1 biscotti): 95 calories

4g fat (1g saturated)

13g carbs

2g protein

2g fiber

13mg calcium

0mg iron

33mg sodium