Springtime Tips for Healthy Picnics

You know, the basics of The $100 Diet also work for health reasons for picnics. I know, it's not so warm EVERYWHERE yet, but as it about 80 degrees here in Las Vegas (with a nice breeze, I might add)it's getting me in the mood for springtime and outdoor eating. Picnics, BBQs and pretty much all outdoor parties I like in the spring. So that is why I chose this topic to chat about today.

One of my favorite picnic recipes was something that my mom used to make when she would take us all out to wineries out near San Ynez, California. It was a hollowed out round bread, and inside was layered with thinly sliced deli turkey, roasted red peppers,sliced swiss cheese and instead of mayo (which I personally can't stand) was a pesto and olive oil mixture. Oh, it was so good with a glass of nice dry white wine. Sigh. Well, anyway, my whole point is that many salad recipes and such in the cookbook section of The $100 Diet stick to the same idea, whether you are going on a picnic or not.

When making salads that you would normally put mayo or some other salad dressing, put olive oil and vinegar instead and season it yourself. It tastes really clean and you will be surprised at how much weight you drop from that alone.

Drank too much green beer last night, girls? If that is so, then this ingredient switcheroo is especially for you.

Bathing suit season will be here before we all know what hit us....

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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

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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....

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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....

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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.

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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

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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.......

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