Let's Get Active

Hi, Girls! It's our favorite time of the week and here is what I suggest we all do this weekend: SOMETHING ACTIVE! Yes, it's true. Even if you have been good all week and kept to your simple diet regime I outlined in "The $100 Diet", you still had better get off that couch and do something fun outdoors.

Some things to do outdoors:

Play catch

Play bocce ball

Take a LONG walk

Play croquet

Take a bike ride

Play hide and seek with your sweetheart (kidding, but now THAT's fun)

Finally pull the weeds in your garden

I am sure you will find something to do. Just as long as you are moving and not sitting down, that's the way to go. And remember, it's great to do so, specially when everybody knows that you can do a lot of these things for FREE! Now, that's what we need to hear during the horrible economic times we have inherited. Just wait until I find a ton of things to do this summer (before it gets to be 115 degrees here in Vegas, that is).

Speaking of Lost Vegas, here is a link I thought was quite interesting. There isn't any sound, but it is actual footage of the strip in the late 50's. Enjoy.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS AT NIGHT IN 1957

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

The Word's On the Street...EASY EATS

Ok, I know several gals that just don't want to cook. Hey, and that's I Ok, even though I love to cook myself. But it's not for everyone.

So keep in the mind that this particular sexy diet doesn't have to be time consuming when it comes to meal preparation. You can buy things prepared. I REALLY like Trader Joes, and there are a few things in their prepared meals that work well on your "Day's On".

Some of my personal favorites are:

• Chicken Shu Mai

• Shrimp Spring Rolls

• Tofu Spring Rolls

• The Greek Salad

• Egg White and Chive Salad

• Salmon, Egg and Caper Salad

• Mixed Fruit

• Mixed Vegetables (just pop in the microwave)

• A variety of pre-seasoned, chicken, beef and fish (just follow the instructions - basically preheat oven, stick in pan, take out after blah amount of time)

• Cooked frozen shrimp with tail off

Ahhh, the list goes on and on. Most of you probably already know about Trader Joes, but if you don't happen to know, check out for a location near you by going to their site.

www.traderjoes.com

We can all do that, right? Oh, now REALLY, girls....

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Diet Fads That Make Us Laugh...Well, Not Really

Well, now that we are nearing Monday, and we just had a time change over the weekend (depending on where you are) I felt it inspiring to point out that we are getting closer and closer to swimsuit season and showing more skin. Ow! So let's get charged up. However, don't fall prey to these disaster diets below. If you have tried them, I would love to hear about it, but here is the skinny.

1. The Fat-Free Diet

The Theory: Eat whatever you want as long as it's fat free.

Reality Check: While it is true that extra fat in your diet does add calories, just sticking to foods touted as "Fat Free" doesn't necessarily help Supermarket shelves are constantly crammed with products advertised as fat free that are loaded with sugar and empty calories and offer little in fiber and vitamins. Read labels when shopping.

2. The Snack Pack Diet

The Theory: Cookies and chips sorted into the 100-calorie packs help limit the damage from the attack of the munchies.

Reality Check: Few are very healthy choices. Actually, some jump start your hunger to have more than one or something more fattening in it's place!

3. The Couch Potato Diet

The Theory: Who needs exercise? Just lower your calorie intake and you will automatically lose weight.

Reality Check: I mean, REALLY. Dieters that change their eating habits AND exercise see results much faster and are on their way to taking it off and keeping it off!

Want to know what REALLY WORKS? Come on, ladies, what do you have to lose except those nasty extra pounds, the jiggles and your low self esteem? It's heading toward Spring and we just "sprang forward" in time....let's get ready for bathing suit season.

Put 'em up. You know what I mean.

Cheers.

Go to www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Oh My, That IS Good Advice.....

I am happy to say that even modern pin up model and the "Queen of Burlesque" Dita Von Teese even feels the same way about exercise as I do. You will see that if you have bought the book and seen that what even Dita is saying is part of the exercise plan I have included for you.

And listen up, girls...being sexy and glamourous is all in how you feel. Check out this English interview with Dita about glamour and exercise. Just click on her picture above or the link below and it will take you right to it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DITA'S INTERVIEW

Cheers, Thanks a lot....

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Feeling Like This Today?

I sure am. But in any event, that just reminded me to tell you girlies to always make sure you pack what you are supposed to eat to go with you, unless you are going to a planned destination on your "On" days. I know myself and I get extra grumpy if I am un-prepared and then have to eat something I don't want to. Just ask around my friends, family and creative partners. They will all say a resounding YES, THAT'S TRUE!

So when in doubt and you have to eat out, have some sashimi and vegetables. You are not breaking the diet and still going out to eat. And yes, having Sake is OK.

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Down Dog

Well, I finally tried my first yoga class in Las Vegas. It was actually quite challenging, and the teacher, Cheryl Slader, was more than nice. She taught some moves and positions that I had not done or practiced before (and I do a lot of Yoga every week). I don't know about the other teachers that teach for Blue Sky Yoga Las Vegas, but I am taken with Cheryl.

I went with a friend who goes on Sundays. I love yoga, and I swear by it because it really tones your feminine shape without getting the huge muscles like some girls get with weight lifting. If you already have the sort of larger shape to begin with, I would suggest yoga hands down.

Don't like classes? Don't want to bend and flex in front of other folks? Then I would get Denise Austin's Fat Blasting Yoga from the year 2002. Yeah, she is cheesy and overly cheerful, but at least it will distract you from the fact that, yes, you are exercising. I appreciate her for that.

For more about The $100 Diet | How Naughty Pin Up Girls Stay THIN, go to:

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Also, if you live in or are visiting Lost Vegas, drop by and see Cheryl at www.blueskyyogalv.com

"Burlesquercise" with Bombshell Betty...Well...

I am always interested in new ways to exercise and found this DVD online called "Burlesquercise". Well, it's different. A little bored with Jane Fonda-type workout DVDs, well this amongst other things can be an alternative. I, for one, love to dance anyhow, so I would consider giving this a shot just for the cheap thrills.

Let's remember, Ladies, that Burlesque is basically a strip tease that is classier than just straight stripping. There is costume and glamour and music involved that is not necessarily techno music. A Burlesque dancer is usually more groomed and polished looking and does not reveal all. But hey, I am not against revealing it all. By all means, let it all hang out. But if you don't want to, you don't have to.

Check it out at www.bombshellbetty.net

Oh, and of course, check out my other links at

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Glam "For Sure" with Pin Up Couture

Let's face it...one of the big perks to keeping yourself looking foxy is the fun of playing dress up....and I LOVE to dress. I like to change the make-up to match the mood of the event and go from sweet looking here to a dangerous vamp. That is also what I admired of the old-style of pin up model. There are a few modern ones today that I like, such as Dita Von Teese, Bernie Dexter (she really looks like Bettie Page, it's kind of a scary resemblance) and Jami Deadly (known as the "Modern Marilyn"). But most of the ones I like are from yesteryear.

Anyhow, you should check out www.pinupgirlwholesale.com for a whole slew of clothing and brands that produce hot and darling looking little numbers.

That reminds me - I have to go work out.

Visit me at www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Slim for Spring Sweet Cheats...I mean, eh, Treats

I know, I know - It's not Springtime yet। But as the weather has gotten surprisingly warmer here in Las Vegas, I thought I would share just couple of sweet treats with you, ladies. They are sweet cheats, which is not really cheating on your "Days On".

Mango Strawberry Frozen Dessert

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup nonfat milk

• 2 generous spoon fulls of nonfat plain yogurt

• 1 handful of frozen Mango (found in the frozen food section)

• 1 handful of frozen Strawberries (found in the frozen food section)

• One packet of Splenda

What to do:

Put it all in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into bowls and serve. Should make two servings.

Think I am going to mosey on down to the Beauty Bar Downtown here on Friday night to see a local downtown Vegas electronica musician. I am staying in line all week so far so that I can feel my slimmest for that party and also have my big "Day Off" on Saturday for that Mid Century Mod party. I love some of these parties too, where they serve even the old-fashioned dishes I love. Deviled eggs, pickles and olives, pate', water crackers, vegetables and onion dip made from scratch, and one of the favorites on the streets here is Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Sigh. Everybody always goes wild for that one.

I would like to have a big party at my place (when it really is Springtime, you know) and have everyone dress in the style of the 50's - early 70's ONLY. With my hostess 50's dress, heels, pearls and frilly apron on, I will be making deviled eggs, cold cuts, pickles, cheese and baguette, martinis and serve chocolate covered cherries and double chocolate cake for dessert.

I had better start shopping for that dress and apron now.......

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Tighten up those purse strings, girls....

Yes, have you noticed? It's getting ugly out there. Less people out shopping in stores or going to venues. More folks out of work. This is my first year living in Vegas and I have seen the pinch here. And you can surely say that again. So why have those expensive personal trainers and fancy gym memberships that you never use? I am the old-fashioned do-it-your-damn-self kind of girl so I never really needed any of those things to begin with. So, in essence, The $100 Diet actually is GOOD in today's rocky economy. Go figure! Kind of ironic, eh?

I have been a good girl all week and tonight a couple of friends are getting together and we are having cabbage burgers! I can't wait! It's made with lean ground beef, Velveeta cheese (this is the ONLY instance I will eat Velveeta cheese, as I normally find this non-food discusting), sauteed onions and chopped up cabbage, all mixed together in a large skillet. Then you toast some hamburger buns, but the cabbage mixture on top and viola! Oh, they are really good. And I am not cooking, for once! My best friend is going to make it, as it was some old recipe of her grandmothers and she only makes it once a year. Someone will be bringing dessert too, but I if don't like it I have my back-up package of peanut butter cookie mix so I won't be disappointed about not having a dessert I like on my "Day Off".

I got a new workout DVD that I had ordered in the mail yesterday. Now, I know my housemate is going to kill me, as she can't stand to hear it, but I actually have a fondness or Denise Austin workout DVDs. Call me crazy. I am a dark synthpop recording artist personality with a brooding on-camera look and you probably would never guess. But I have been buying a ton of her DVDs for years now. Sigh. There is some way about me that I can successfully tune out what I don't want to hear and tune in what I do want to hear. And I do it quite well, if I don't say so myself. Anyway, Denise Austin can be irritatingly cheerful and sometimes cheesy, but it works for me. I also like Mary Windsor DVDs from the Windsor Pilates series. She's less cheerful and more like that strange ballet teacher I had while I took classes in my elementary school years. But I like her, and again, I have done some of these DVDs so much that I just have them on for timing of the exercise while I zone out and think about other things.

I came up with a great "On Day" recipe and it's so easy. Here is comes:

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH HOMEMADE MARINARA

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4 large tomatoes, chopped

• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning (you can get this at Trader Joes)

• 1/2 cup non-fat vegetable broth

• 1 cup low-fat shredded mozerella cheese

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• Pepper

• Non-fat olive oil cooking spray

What to do:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

1. First, you slice the eggplant into large discs and toss in the olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper. Then you lay them out in a large baking dish or baking tin and put in the oven for a total of 30-40 minutes, when they become just slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

2. Meanwhile, sautee the garlic and onions with non-fat olive oil spray until the onions start to look clear. Add the chopped tomatoes and Italian seasoning and sautee with the onions and garlic.

3. Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil and then simmer for about 20 minutes.

4. When your sauce has simmered and your eggplant are just about done, spoon the sauce over the eggplant pieces and sprinkle mozerella cheese on top. Put back in the oven for another five minutes or under the cheese has melted.

Serve.

For more recipes, good and naughty, download my book though my website:

www.thepinupgirldiet.com

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and I will be back in a bit. I'll tell you about a delightfully strange mid-century mod party I will be attending in Downtown Vegas later this week. Cheers.