Holiday Survival Guide

With holiday parties in full force and new years just around the corner, the last thing we want to do is pack on those extra love pounds. So here are a couple tips to help keep the holiday weight off while still having a blast. 

At the party- be selective. The food and drinks will be endless, but with a little pre-plan there is a way to enjoy your night without blowing your "stay in shape during the holiday's" diet.

• Pre-party with a protein-rich mini meal. If you show up hungry, chances are you WILL over eat, or go straight for the booze and drinking on an empty stomach is a fast track to a hangover.
• pre-food suggestions: grilled chicken salad, quinoa & veggie hash, sashimi, piece of toast with almond butter or clear soup.
• Be picky with your apps. "Go for the worthwhile indulgence, not the cheap waste of calories."-InStyle magazine
• vitamin boosters: red peppers- low calories & packed with essential nutrients
• appetite suppressant: shrimp- the lean protein helps turn off your body's hunger mechanism.
• portion controller: broccoli- is filled with fiber & fills you up so you eat less.
• booze buster: caprese salad- fat in mozzarella slows the absorption of the alcohol into the bloodstream
• hydrator: red grapes- helps with dehydration & loaded with antioxidants. 
• Fill your plate wisely. Instead of polishing off a full plate, take small samples of everything at the buffet...and once again be selective. If you get the pasta salad, pair it the veggies and hummus. 
• Space out your drinks. If you're going to be drinking all night, mix in a water or sparkling water every 2 drinks. 
• Drink calo-meter.
• vodka soda- 95
• champagne- 120
• white/red wine- 120
• beer- 150
• hot cocoa- 176
• eggnog- 340
• Dress SEXY. If you wear tight clothing opposed to a baggy dress you will be more body-conscious and think twice before reaching for seconds. 
• Manage your late night munchies. Prepare by stocking your kitchen with the right late night snacks. You will feel better mentally and physically.
• suggested snacks: tomato juice or whole grain crackers with raw honey.

After the party, BOUNCE BACK

• Get your lazy butt out & get active.  Lounging around the house just prolongs the pain, opt for the quick fix and sweat it out. "Physical activity floods cells with oxygen and releases mood-boosting neurotransmitters," (Heather Hausenblas- exercise psychologist). This will not only help you feel better, but work off some of those extra drinks. 
• EAT Breakfast. There is a reason your body craves greasy fatty foods after a long night of drinking...your body needs to be replenished, but do it wisely.
• EAT lightly buttered toast (I use earth balance butter and Udi's gluten free toast), veggie scramble or whole-grain pancakes. DRINK orange juice to replenish depleted vitamins. 

Most importantly- HAVE FUN & DON'T STRESS IT

Thank you InStyle and Self magazine for your extra survival tips! 

Nathan's Fundraiser TONIGHT at Saint Rocke

Head over to Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach tonight at 6pm for Nathan's Gocke's Fundraiser! 

Nathan is a former Fox Cable guy and friend of Fuel TV who was paralyzed a couple years ago after a surfing accident in Hermosa Beach. Nathan Gocke is a super guy who possess amazing strength, determination, and positivity as he has transitioned into a new and challenging lifestyle.  

What many people don't realize is that long term disability and other insurance policies don't nearly cover all of the additional expenses that one faces in these types of situations.  This is where people like us can fill in the gaps...

Join us tonight and help us raise money for Nathan's living expenses and handicap modifications for his home. 

Over $10,000 in exclusive giveaways - pro athlete signed gear, (skaters, snowboarders, Kings hocky players) and other great goods and services. 

Tickets

$20

$100 for VIP= Admission for 2 + dinner & a bottle of champagne 

Great talent line-up;

Comedy Central and Raising Hope star, Skyler Stone + Lou Giovenetti and his "Sinatra/Dean Martin" style performance and comedy + Magic Castle superstar magician David Minkin + screening of Nathan's award winning documentary + special surprises

EVENING LINE-UP

6:00PM  Doors Open

6:00 - 7:30 Cocktails, DJ Dave Paine, possibly two Raffle bits

7:30 - 8:00 Screen Floating: The Nathan Gocke Story

8:00 - 8:15  Raffles

8:15 - 8:45 Lou G performance

8:45 - 9:00 Raffles

9:00 - 9:30 David Minkin magic performance

9:30 - 9:45  Raffles

9:45 - 10:00 Skyler Stone comedy and impersonations

10:00 - 10:15 Raffles

10:15 - 11:00 DJ, and possibly more raffles if available

11:00 Sign-Off

"FLOATING: The Nathan Gocke Story" Movie

Saint Rocke 142 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach CA 90254

Hawaii - Part 1

In the spirit of our spontaneous mindset, Jeff and I booked a Hawaiian adventure a week before our departure! Our calendars opened up and stars must have alined because everything went as smooth as a baby seal. 

Before this trip, I had only ventured to Hawaii resort style; once to the big island for my grandparents anniversary and the other to Maui with the fam. This trip we camped out on Sunset Beach with the most loving and crazy family on the north shore- the Orian's. They welcomed us with open arms, immediately making us a part of their family. There is a huge difference between going resort style VS. staying with the locals, and after this trip, I'm sticking to the locals. 

Arriving 2 days before the most anticipated surf contest of the year, PIPE MASTERS, our 8 day adventure began.

sunset beach at sunset

home sweet home for the week

the beginning of our bus adventures

there are no pigeons, seagulls or crows, just wild chicken & roosters...cock-a-doodle-dooing every morning at 4:15am 

BOB's bbq- our first authentic Hawaiian meal with Ricky Lesser 

day 1 at Pipe Masters- the largest waves they've had in the last 20 years of competition

we stayed with Sarah Crane's family on the North Shore. THANK YOU SARAH

Jeff teaching Kiwi some uke

our daily rainbow

meeting the new Cote fam...Rachel and the twins

one of the twins, Emma

Live Your Dream

"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago." -Frances H. Burnett

Create your Path

From fashion to wilderness, there's always a guided path. What determines your future is how you choose carve it. With direction, creativity, freedom or adventure, the true gift is that it's your choice. It's your life. Create your path. 

Last Thursday I was a guest at Louis Verdad's spring/summer collection fashion show. The runway shined with vibrant colors, plunging neck lines & playful slits.

wearing a 2010 classic Verdad

Friday night = bowling party...and yes, I granny the ball...baller style.

Saturday = adventure day in Solstice canyon.

Shelly & I stopped for breakfast in Santa Monica at our favorite place, Urth Cafe

a romantical date in the forest

blessed with beautiful souls

How will you carve your path?

Feel Rich

I'm published!!! My first blog for FeelRich.com, a site promoting fitness and healthy living as the way to take your life to the next level.

You, Only Better: How to own the body you have (and keep it running for a long time)

Alex Curry -- 12/01/2011 09:19 PM —

Anybody who watches a music video or opens a fitness magazine notices the obvious: fit and lean is what’s supposed to turn heads. Six-packs, tight guns, and flawless skin is hot, hot, hot. But chances are good you’re not about to audition as a back-up dancer for Nicki Minaj. It might even be possible you’re not quite at the top of your game. And it can be way too easy to see how far there is to go and just give up.

Easy for someone else. Not for you. You’re gonna learn to love the body you have.

People tend to find their flaws then focus their energy on those “flaws” instead of finding their strengths. As a result they get in the habit of taking their bodies for granted and not taking care of themselves the way they should.

So how can we flip this around? First, start a list of all your personal strengths. Go crazy. Don’t be modest! If you’re fly on the dance floor, if you’re a whiz on the computer, if you’re a baller on the court, put that on your list. Feel good about how far you’ve come in your life. You earned it!

Creating your own personal list keeps you on track and helps you connect with your body. It takes a conscious effort to make it happen, but acknowledgment is the first step to success.

Maybe you’re thinking, “How do I love my body if I’m not happy with it?” The answer is simple: you gotta give yourself a little credit for what your body can do well. Then get started on this 7-step process to help you connect with your body and keep it running for a long time.

1. Focus on the good: What do you love about yourself? Maybe you have great shoulders, or shapely calves, or a chest that puts 50 Cent to shame. Whatever you’ve got that you love, start with that. Look for exercises that show off what you can do well. Once you get the confidence of seeing what you do well, you’ll be motivated to start working on he rest of your body.

2. Step off the scale: Don’t focus on your weight. Focus on how you feel. The numbers on a scale should be an indicator that you’re headed in the right direction, but they shouldn’t be the goal. If you feel healthy, you’re probably on the right path.

3. Don’t compare your body: Once you start comparing yourself to other people, you’re on a path to total destruction. It’s too easy to find someone with a tighter chest, bigger guns, or a flatter stomach. But you’re not those people, so get over it. You’re you. This is your body, the only one you will every have. Accept it and take care of it. Own it.

4. Find what works for you: Everybody is different and needs different things from diet, exercise to clothing. If doing yoga makes you feel like a clown, skip it. Try something that makes you feel good instead, like kickboxing, running, or crossfit. Do things that work for your body and wear things that flatter your body. (Ladies, that means all y’all trying to fit into t-shirts two sizes too small? It’s time to go shopping.) All these things will help strengthen your body, mind, and soul.

5. Diet: Diet is not a four-letter word! A diet doesn’t mean you only get to eat cardboard or you’ll never get to drink pop again. Think of a diet as fuel for your body; you are what you eat, and what you eat will determine your mood, health, and energy level. Out of your three daily meals, breakfast is the most important. It gives your body energy, gets your metabolism flowing and feeds your brain. Feed yourself smart.

Pay attention to what you’re eating and how it makes your body feel. When you finish a meal do you feel awake and energized or tired and sick? Food determines your energy level, and not every food works with everyone. Every person’s body is different, meaning every person’s diet will be different as well.

6. Exercise: This is the big daddy right here. Exercise is the number one health supporter. Doing some sort of physical activity daily, it doesn’t matter what it is, will improve your heart, mind, energy levels, mood, and your physical appearance (which is always a plus!)

7. Do things that make you smile: Whether it’s listening to music, dancing, reading your favorite book or magazine, walking outside, going on an adventure…anything that puts a smile on your face, do it daily! Happy people are healthy people.

Check Yourself Out

When it's time for your annual check-ups, who do you see...the family doc, dentist, optometrist, gynecologist...Well, you might want to add 2 more docs to your list...

Maybe you were sunburned as a kid or ware tanning oil instead of sunscreen, and these days you expect your doctor to catch any "unusual" skin marks...not the case. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, more then 90% of dermatologist have seen at least 5 patients in the last year with skin cancer who were overlooked or mis-diagnosed by their non-dermatologist doctor.

 (getting my yearly skin check)

Growing up a sun-kissed kid, I've had yearly skin checks since I was 10...and thank goodness. If you're not going to see a dermatologist, you should regularly check your body for moles, new freckles or unusual lumps. FEEL YOURSELF, CHECK YOURSELF OUT. Especially since melanoma is the most common cancer among women 25-29, and skin cancer is the cancer most frequently diagnosed in women.

Today I added a new doc to my list...chiropractor Dr. Bates. I've had chiropractic work done in the past, but nothing consistent. If I had a bad fall in soccer or sever back pain, I'd go in for a crack. Yesterday I had my back x-rayed and today the photos screamed the truth...

The spine on the right is a "normal" spine, and the spine on the left is mine- phase 1 degeneration: a loss or change in the normal curve of the spine. This could have been caused by numerous things: soccer, heading the ball, pour posture, leaning over a desk, typing for long hours, texting...The important part is, I'm taking care of it now, so my back can feel as young as I am.

Take it for what it is, but at least take these docs into consideration.