SUPPORT THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY on 2/27/10!!!
Do you know Mark Bloom? If you don't, you should! He was chosen as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's man of the year. He accepted the nomination because his father, Dr. Robert Bloom, is a two-time cancer (lymphoma) survivor. Mark is very active within the L & L Society and I want to support his efforts.
He and I are joining forces by hosting a charity Mission in Santa Monica. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the L & L Society and we would be honored to have you there! Below is the information for the SPECIAL Mission:
A SPECIAL CHARITY MISSION
Hosted by Celebrity Fitness Trainer, Jenna Phillips.
WHERE
On the grass on Ocean Ave (cross street Georgina) in Santa Monica, CA.
WHEN
February 27, 2010 at 10AM so please arrive no later than 9:50AM so you can find the most perfect parking spot imaginable (meters on Ocean, street parking on Georgina ) and have time to get set up on the grass.
WHAT TO BRING
Please arrive with a yoga mat in hand, a positive attitude, and a bottle of water! Music will be on blast to get you all pumped!
Traveling can often present a bit of a challenge when it comes to staying on top of your workouts. That used to be an issue for me until I realized that I can work out no matter WHERE I am. I have to get a bit creative, but that's the fun part. I honestly don't care WHAT people think about my fitness spontaneity.
Click on the links to the videos below and see how I burn calories instead of waiting in line. For me, skiing downhill is not enough of a calorie blaster. I also have a video of me doing leg lifts with my ski boots on. When I was in Australia, the resort I was staying in didn't have a gym (gasp! I know!). Instead of pouting about it, I went on an excursion and found a deserted bobsled track. I gave it purpose, yet again. It looked so lonely...
A common tendency for New Year's resolutions "makers" is setting the bar too high and getting fried before they can actually complete their ultimate goal. Whether the goal is to lose 10 lbs, clean out the attic of total clutter, donate extra time to an animal shelter, or quit smoking, the initial intention is simply focused on the end result:
"I WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER WHEN I REACH MY GOAL..."
Humans LOVE quick fixes and instant gratification. Is it realistic to get in the car for a 500 mile road trip and expect to be there in 57 minutes? Um, nope.
What do we do on long road trips? We listen to music, we take in the scenery, we think and have inner reflection, we play I-spy-with-my-little-eye games, and we stop along the way for a pit stop or to take pictures of cool stuff. All of the aforementioned makes the road trip MUCH more enjoyable. It takes the same amount of energy to be happy or miserable. YOU are ultimately the one who chooses how to expend your precious energy. So choose wisely.
How will you reach your goals and continue on a path of self-improvement? The great way to start is to write your resolutions or goals down on a piece of paper that you will be able to see everyday. I sometimes tape my goals on my bathroom mirror or my front door so I can see them every time I get ready to take on my day!
Want to shed some pounds? Don't do a crazy crash diet. DIETS DON'T WORK IN THE LONG RUN. Let's keep it SIMPLE and just focus on food today. Exercise ideas will be in another blog. Try some of this food for thought:
Have smaller portions. Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate so you'll be less likely to pile on more food than you should eat.
Eat balanced meals (healthy fats, lean protein, & friendly carbs) more frequently throughout the day. Skipping meals (especially breakfast) is not a fun or smart way to lose weight.
Add more fiber into your daily cuisine. High fiber foods like veggies, oatmeal, and brown rice are GOOD CARBS, low on the glycemic index and will make you feel full so you are less likely to overeat.
Go easy on the sauces. Ask your server to bring you dressing on the side. You may be avoiding up to 600 calories! You can also try using lemon juice and balsamic vinegar for your salad instead of a high calorie dressing.
Water does a body good. Drink a cup of water before you start to dive into your food. You will feel fuller and not have the usual desire to eat UNTIL you are full. Let your stomach and brain meet in the middle. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to tell you how full you actually are. Your stomach will appreciate your patience.
Variety is the spice of life. Instead of going for the same types of food every single day, try mixing it up. Some of my favorite cuisines include those of Japanese, vegan, Mediterranean, macrobiotic, and anything organic :)
As a gift to you, I am offering a December special. I want you all to stay committed to MP over the holidays and I always love having new people to come to Missions. December is usually a tough month to stay on top of a fitness regimen, but DUDE! Don't be like everyone else! If you and a friend sign up for the month of December, you each pay only $99 for the entire month instead of the normal monthly unlimited rate of $199.
I offer 8 workouts a week (4 Missions, 2 spin classes in Hollywood at Made In LA, and 2 spin classes at the Sports Club LA). You have the opportunity to train with me 32 times in a month! At $99, that is basically $3 per workout if you come to all of them, or $4.13 per workout if you come to all of them except my Sports Club spin classes! Even if you train with me 4 times for the entire month you will still save a dollar.
Find a friend who hasn't been to MP and motivate them to try something new so you can all stay lean over the holidays! Get a head start on your New Year's resolution.
Aaaaaahhh, it’s that time of year again. Sweet aromas of comfort food fill the house while marching bands in the parades and cheering fans at the football game chime loudly on the TV. Chaos and company add zesty flavor to your recipe of stress while you comb through your Christmas shopping list in your head. Oh, and don’t forget about carving out a sliver of your day to burn off the calories from the pumpkin pie. But HOW?! And WHEN?!
Sound familiar? You might need a mini guide to get you through the gluttony and culinary shenanigans that will take place over the holidays. We make time for whatever is most important to us. Whether it is catching up with the family, football with chips and dips, Black Friday shopping, or a post-Turkey Day workout we all have the ability to create a window to do what we want.
The average American will consume more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day alone, according to the Caloric Control Council. YIKES! The majority of these calories actually come from the all-day snacking in front of the TV while the turkey is being morphed into an edible masterpiece. We consume over 675 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving Day! True story.Most people think that their post-meal sleepiness is from the natural sedative found in turkey called Tryptophan, but that chemical isn’t really what it’s hyped up to be. That "food coma" you experience is the result of your body working overtime to digest all that food!
The good news? Yes, I know you want some. Here it is, anxious readers: (drum roll…) you have options! I have some tips for you that’ll help you to burn calories without swimming upstream during this joyous time of year. I will also give you some weapons of defense to prevent an excessive consumption of the food you’ve been waiting for all year. Enjoy!
Let it burn!
You can simply add a little more activity to your holiday routine to help "make up" for some of the extra calories you eat. Since it’s a family event ask your relatives to join you in a brisk walk in your ‘hood after dinner and/or before dessert. It’ll get your blood moving, help your body to digest some of that gluten rich stuffing, and maybe even make some room for a few bites of sweet treats.
You can also build lean muscle that’ll boost your metabolism without even going to the gym by adding 20-30 reps of these fabulous exercises:
Plie Squats—while you prep food on the stovetop
Lunges—do walking lunges in your driveway or backyard before dinner
Knee Push-Ups—do these in your living room before the parade starts
Bicep Curls—get creative with your shopping bags while you power walk to your car
Crunches and Bicycle Kicks—do these during commercials or right before your company arrives
Plank—hold for 30 seconds to one minute before dessert
Armor yourself!
Our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. If you stack your meal on a salad plate instead of a dinner plate it’ll look like you have plenty of food to enjoy.
Ghandi said: “Chew your drinks and drink your food.” What a smarty pants. Fully chew each bite of food before you swallow it. Put your fork down in between each bite to help you eat more slowly.
Water does a body good. Drink a cup of water before you start to dive into your comfort food. You will feel fuller and not have the desire to overstuff yourself.
Variety is the spice of life. More than likely, you will be confronted by a plethora of dishes. A smorgasbord of yumminess! Serve yourself a small portion of each item so you can “taste” everything.
Let your stomach and brain meet in the middle. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to tell you how full you actually are. After you finish your first plate of food wait a little bit to see if you really need seconds. Your stomach will appreciate your patience.
What do you jam to when you hit trails outside? What songs keep your furnace burning while you pump iron or go on a long run? Music is my life and I rarely burn calories without it. I pride myself on having wicked fabulous playlists for all of my SPIN classes and Missions. Below are a few samples of how I keep everyone en fuego while we all get stronger and leeeeeeeean! Each class or Mission has a different crowd and attitude so I cater each playlist accordingly. I know how to amp my crew! :) I reward them all with cool down and stretching music. Every element is considered.
11/12/09 Made In LA SPIN class (attitude - ROCK&ROLL!)
1. Give It Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Crank That (Soulja Boy) [Travis Barker Remix] by Soulja Boy
3. Savior by Rise Against
4. Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings
5. Numb/Encore by Jay-Z & Linkin Park
6. Lion's Roar by Asher Roth, New Kingdom & Busta Rhymes
7. Bulls on Parade by Rage Against The Machine
8. Uprising by Muse
9. Girl's Not Grey by AFI
10. Misery Business by Paramore
11. Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet
12. Smack My Bitch Up by The Prodigy
13. Headstrong by Trapt
14. Mudshovel by Staind
15. Why Did We Fire The Gun? by Waldeck
16. Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
I'll post more playlists if you want. Just let me know! I have over 50 different playlists and they're all different (hip hop, techno, rock...). Post your comments below and I'll give you some sweet beats ideas!
If you know me, then you know I'm a complete foodie! A food detective, if you will. Everyday I search out new restaurants and food products to share with all of you. I have been frequenting a fabulous place called The Veggie Grill in West Hollywood, located at 8000 Sunset. Check out their website to get some visuals of their amazing menu. It's an entirely vegan restaurant but they don't even claim that! They don't even mention the word "healthy"! They don't want people to expect cardboard-tasting food. They refer to their amazingness as: "The Perfect Indulgence!" BRILLIANT!
Their substitution "meats" are FILLED with low-soy protein and taste INSANELY delicious! They also have one of my most favorite things on the menu: sweet potato fries. I pride myself in being a sweet potato fries connoisseur and I can say, without slight hesitation, that theirs are the BEST I've ever had! I almost ALWAYS get the Chipotle BBQ shredded veggie steak (protein style served on a bed of kale) and Sweetheart Fries on the side. All of their meals are diabetic-friendly so I'm a fan of their whole menu.
It's a place that any junk food junkie or canivorous being will love. There is NOTHING cardboard about this place (except maybe the to-go box when I bring extra goodies home with me). Run, don't walk, to The Veggie Grill! I give it my full approval!
I had an AMAZING dinner at Veggie Grill with some of my friends tonight. Instead of driving straight home and going to bed, I drove into Brentwood and parked my car at Whole Foods. It was after 10 so I walked to the furthest gas station to get a bottle of water and then in the opposite direction to get a cup of chamomile tea at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. It was a perfect night for an evening stroll.
When I lived in Spain I walked EVERYWHERE! I lost 3 sizes from walking and dancing (and eating smaller portions because that's just how they roll over there). Your body will LOVE and THANK you for giving it daily movement. Every minute of it counts. People say: parking in LA is SUCH a royal P.I.T.A.!!! Well, duh, that's because everyone is fighting over the CLOSEST spot to the front door of anywhere they're going. Park an extra block away and you'll find a spot for sure! Plus, you'll get to walk some more. Nobody walks in LA? Wanna bet? Here's one Angeleno who walks as much as she can!
Have you ever paid attention to the way you feel when you have inner dialogue? Have you ever noticed a shift in your emotions when you instantly shift your thought process? Do you know that you can modify almost anything if you simply just change the way you look at it? Our reality is exactly what we make of it: for the better or worse. Anything we focus our energy on will become our reality. Many of us often say: "that happened TO me." What if you looked at what you learned from the experience, how it improved you as a person and said, "that happened FOR me"?
I try to be mindful of my thoughts in stressful situations, and it always helps to say, "this is happening FOR me because..." When I list reasons for why something is happening FOR me I can more easily watch my thoughts. Plus, that feels a WHOLE lot better than saying, "I can't freaking believe this is happening TO me right now!!!" Everything we encounter is meant to shape us as individuals. It's not really WHAT we experience, but HOW we choose to experience it, that makes all the difference.
This also applies to our fundamental health and the state of our bodies. The other day, I overheard someone say, "no matter what diet or kind of exercise I do, I cannot lose the fat on my stomach." First of all, I thought she was perfect just the way she was. And secondly, I wanted to ask her, "how often do you tell yourself that every single day?" When we tell ourselves that we are a certain way, we synergistically do things to keep ourselves in that box in both negative and positive ways. Our body will believe ANYTHING we tell it. So someone who tells herself: "I cannot lose the fat on my stomach" will also do things to fulfill that prophecy.
I bet she would lose the weight she wanted to if she would just stop obsessing about it, i.e., not weigh herself every single day, stop trying a new diet after the last one stops working, or exercising in an upstream way. I lost at least 20 lbs. when I moved to Spain in 2004 because I stopped focusing my energy on the fact that I was not happy with my size. I walked everywhere, ate bread everyday, sensible servings of ice cream most days of the week, and sun bathed on the beach every chance I got. I relaxed and I breathed in life. I occasionally went on a jog or climbed stairs and I did yoga in the comfort of my home when I felt like it. I think I weighed myself twice in the 7 months that I was there. I just gently R E L E A S E D the fixation on not being able to lose the weight. And then I did.
Today I trained my team of Agents on a Mission in Santa Monica and then I went on a jog with a friend right after because it was SUCH a beautiful day! I came across a vegan restaurant on Wilshire and 11th called Golden Mean Cafe. I ordered the gluten free pizza and the owner insisted that I also try the spelt flour vanilla/cinnamon/blueberry cake. So I did. I ate the whole piece, and I loved every bite. Everything we do in life should be enjoyable with a healthy amount of variety. That includes eating and working out!
The intent of my website, and at the same time the purpose of Mission Possible™, was to create something that offered subtle suggestions and alternatives to enhance the lifestyles of millions of people. I want to share with everyone the things I encounter while on my path to optimal health. I enjoy everything I eat and I have the most fun exercising when I lead a Mission! Mission Possible™ is everything except serious. We always just M O V E and S W E A T and L A U G H and F E E L amazing during and after the Mission! Get out of your comfort zone with food and fitness! Try something new this week!
I honestly believe that everyone would be better off if he or she ate like a person diagnosed with diabetes "should" eat. As much as I don't like the word "should" (because "should" is so subjective), there's no reason why people can't eat foods to nourish their bodies instead of those that DEGENERATE them. We hear so much about low-glycemic index foods but what does that really mean?
The glycemic index of food is a ranking of foods based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Carbohydrate foods that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. Eating these foods typically require a BUNCH of insulin (blehhhh!). Carbohydrates that breakdown slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycemic indexes and don't require as much insulin. I'm all about eating foods that don't SPIKE my blood sugar so I don't have to take a beyond-crazy load of insulin.
And why am I a huge fan of low GI stuff?
Low GI means a smaller rise in blood sugar and can help control established diabetes (yay!)
Low GI diets can help people lose weight and lower blood lipids (woo hoo!)
Low GI diets can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin (yessssss!)
DUH! So, WHY ON EARTH would you NOT eat more low GI foods?! Oh, because high GI foods are soooo tasty? Um, really? Ok, fine. Let me give you a few suggestions:
sweet potato french fries instead of regular French fries
I discovered these yummy treats at the WHOLE FOODS on Wilshire and 6th street in Santa Monica. I fell in love at 1st taste and my blood sugar was SO happy with me when I munched on a few pieces of my new healthy find. With my high-intensity fitness regimen, this is a perfect source of sustainable energy for my multiple workouts throughout the week.
As a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I'm delighted that my sweet tooth can be satisfied with such a healthy treat! I honestly feel like I'm cheating when I eat them! Haha! But I'm so NOT cheating. With a nice dosage of fiber and ingredients like: Organic Oats, Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Raw Organic Blue Agave, Honey, Banana Chips, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds, Almonds, Olive Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, & Natural Vanilla Flavoring how can I possibly be cheating? My tastebuds are fully confused when I nourish my body with the yumminess of Granola Gourmet™. So quit messin' around with "pretending to be healthy" energy bars and GO GET SOME!!!
Be a rockstar with your health at home or on the road!
Eating Healthy Food While Traveling...
doesn't have to be boring or difficult! Just make sure you're prepared and bring some healthy goodies with you. Click on the links below to see some examples of how I mastered it while I traveled in Australia!
As well as watching WHAT you eat, it's important to watch how MUCH you eat - "standard" portion sizes around the world vary greatly. Did you know that coffee in Australia is ridiculously strong compared to here? I was shocked to see that the "large" coffee was the size of a Starbucks TALL (until I tried it and realized why! Haha!).
Exercising While Traveling...
is also much easier than you think!! On the super long flight there AND back, I made sure to stretch and happily did lunges while everyone was passed out. Once I got off the plane, I jumped rope at the airport in Sydney without an ounce of shame. I have it on video to prove it but you'll have to wait til the next newsletter, or follow me on Twitter, to see it! A jumprope is such a small item that you can easily tuck it into the corner of your bag. That's how I roll. :)
I'm super random and I work out in the wackiest ways, again without shame:
We are all different. There is not ONE cuisine for everyone.
Most of you know that I ate a RAW/VEGAN cuisine for about 30 days. I learned so much about alternative food choices and the health benefits of eating food in its purest form. I enjoyed everything that I ate and had fun turning my carnivorous friends onto healthier options. I am now back to my usual cuisine filled with tons of fresh veggies, egg whites, fish, oatmeal, nuts & seeds, COCONUT EVERYTHING!, sprouted grains, quinoa, brown rice, and occasional fruit like apple slices and berries. My diet is mainly that of macrobiotic (with the exception of egg whites).
I believe the key to everything is moderation. We are all different, and while there are SO many theories out there about what is healthy and what is not, you have to do what works best for YOUR body. Listen to what your body tells you when you eat certain foods. Don't limit your relationship with food to only the TYPE that you eat. Also pay attention to how your body feels based on the TIME of day you eat certain foods. For me, eating even low glycemic fruit at night will guarantee a spike in blood sugar the next morning. If I want to have fruit I make sure to have it in the middle of the day and/or right after an intense workout. My body loves egg whites or a whey/casein protein shake first thing in the morning. I never skip meals and I always make sure to eat within an hour of waking up.
When I eat this way, my blood sugar is the most stable. This means I have to take less insulin: my ultimate goal! The main thing is to just keep your life simple when it comes to food. I don't mean simple as in "convenience" (although that can be a bonus most of the time). What I mean is that the amount of ingredients in your food should be minimal. My rule is: 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 ingredients max! I have found more of a balance in taste and satiation when it comes to an odd number of ingredients. Just something I've noticed.
It may take a little bit of experimenting or consulting a nutritionist to figure out what works best for your body type. No matter what the outcome is, you can always make the healthiest cuisine for your body type taste delicious! Want some food tips? Follow me on Twitter!
Mission Possible for this Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are cancelled b/c I will be in Australia with my family! Stay tuned for updates regarding next week's missions.
Did you know that coconuts are one of the healthiest and most complete sources of health and nutrition that you can find? Yup! True story! I drink ZICO coconut water almost everyday to rehydrate after an intense workout. I also love to drink the water from an actual young coconut (which can be bought at a health food store), then I scoop out the meat with a spoon and devour it!
This tasty treat, offered to you by Mother Nature, provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished millions of people around the world for centuries. Coconut is super rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's been called a "functional food" because it has an endless amount of health benefits, even beyond its nutrient-dense content. Coconut oil has a ridiculous amount of healing properties (way more than other dietary oils) and is a medicinal favorite in Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be THE cure for all illnesses. They even call it: "The Tree of Life."
So, FINALLY, modern medicine is figuring out that Western meds are not the end all! DUH! Some recent studies found an INSANELY long list of some great benefits! Get ready for some serious food for thought! I, of course, bolded my favorite facts, but all of it is great stuff to know!
Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses
Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases
Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections
Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites
Provides a nutritional source of quick energy
Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance
Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose
Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body
Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis
Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes
Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis
Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth
Helps protect against osteoporosis
Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease
Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers
Improves digestion and bowel function
Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids
Reduces inflammation
Supports tissue healing and repair
Supports and aids immune system function
Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers
Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease
Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease
Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay
Functions as a protective antioxidant
Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease
Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do
Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation
Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome
Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement)
Reduces epileptic seizures
Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections
Dissolves kidney stones
Helps prevent liver disease
Is lower in calories than all other fats
Supports thyroid function
Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate
Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats
Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems
Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection
Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin
Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking
Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots
Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion
Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun
Helps control dandruff
Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do
Has no harmful or discomforting side effects
Is completely non-toxic to humans
Click HERE to see the site where I found all of these great facts!
Here's a little FYI stuff about Coconut Oil
This incredible stuff was once misconstrued as "unhealthy" because of its high saturated fat content. It's finally gaining some well-deserved recognition as a nutritious food because the fat in coconut oil is a totally different from almost every other other fat. Some call it the "the healthiest oil on earth." The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are medium-chain fatty acids, whereas almost 100% of other saturated fats are composed of long-chain fatty acids. So, what's the big deal with MCFA and LCFA?
I like to make things short, but sweet... So here ya go: MCFA do not have a negative effect on cholesterol. MCFA also are little warriors when it comes to lowering the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. BAM!!! Both the saturated and unsaturated fat found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including almost all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA. Bleh!
Stay slim while you travel and eat your favorite foods!
I absolutely LOVE to travel. Making a habit of it can present challenges in maintaining my desired eating habits and necessary workout routine. I find myself getting rather creative when I venture out of my Los Angeles bubble.
Example: I was in Las Vegas last weekend watching Motion City Soundtrack and Blink-182 in concert. Both bands had a killer performance at The Joint in The Hard Rock casino. I was stoked to hear one of MCS's new tracks from their upcoming album (click HERE)!!! Another highlight: Travis Barker's INSANE solo on the drums was beyond mind-blowing. He did a "flying drum solo" at another show that I was lucky enough to see. Click HERE to see it for yourself!
I was so proud to see how far my MCS guys have come! They are STILL on track with their eating and exercising! They all looked like lean machines with tons of energy! What a stage presence!!! I almost cried like 5 times. True story... Haha! Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 looked incredible as well! I was amazed to see how quickly he shaped up in the 3 weeks we had to prepare him for his tour!
As we all know, Vegas isn't THE healthiest place on the planet. It's laced with temptations of all kinds (i.e., excessive alcohol consumption, buffets up the wazoo, or a desire to pass out by the pool, post-rough night, instead of hitting the casino's gym). Well, I did my best to stay on track while I was in the City of Sins for 4 days. I arrived with a cooler filled with RAW/VEGAN food/snacks/meals and promised myself I wouldn't spend a dime on food while I was there. I "caved" and bought a jar of un-raw almonds. Haha! I invented a super yummy recipe for a partially RAW, but fully VEGAN, snack. I call it JP's 57 MIX (because it's balanced with all 5 elemental tastes using 7 ingredients! Yay!). Here it is, get ready:
2 tablespoons of organic raw cacoa nibs
2 tablespoons of organic goji berries
1 tablespoon of shelled dry roasted salted pistachios
1 tablespoon of organic raw coconut flakes
1 tablespoon of organic raw pepitas
1 tablespoon of organic raw almonds
1 tablespoon of organic flax seeds
BAM! Talk about a creation jam-packed with healthy fats, lots of fiber, and total satiation! Your taste buds will have a party in your mouth! JP's 57 MIX is great in a ziplock bag for an on-the-go snack, and even super yummy in a small bowl with a splash of hemp or almond milk.
To stay on track physically, I also brought workout clothes and went to the gym everyday that I was there. I just woke up, changed into my LULULEMON gear and went for it while my friends slept well into the afternoon. I felt incredible when it was all said and done! Just an hour at the gym helped me to feel energized throughout the rest of the day! I will be filming some videos for workout ideas for the traveler. They'll be uploaded on my YouTube page. Stay tuned!
I have been really loving the benefits of my trial with eating a RAW/VEGAN cuisine. Beyond the incredible taste of all that I've been eating, I have developed a better relationship with my food. In the RAW world, you are meant to prepare your food with LOVE and INTENT. Any kind of energy you put into your food will be put right back into your body. When you go to a restaurant with low energy/vibration food, your body will let you know that you just ate something undesirable.
I had dinner at PLANET RAW in Santa Monica last night with Agent Smalls and we ordered so much food! It was her first time eating this way and she was AMAZED at how delicious and flavorful everything was. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was four years old (she's 15 now) and is on the same Mission that I'm on! We left feeling satiated, but not over-stuffed! I was happy to broaden the horizon of her palate last night.
As we sat and waited for our food to be presented at the table, I pulled out my iPhone to show her pictures of food that I've been experiencing. I saw that I had more pictures of food than anything else on my camera (next to pictures of my Siberian kitty, Bisou). With genuinely shameless excitement, I was scrolling through and telling in-depth stories of how THIS tasted or what ingredients were in THAT.
It made me realize that I show pics of food to people in the same way others show pictures of their own children. Haha! Agent Smalls looked at me and said: "Jenna, I don't know ANYONE who loves food as much as you do!" I think I would have to agree with her on that one! If you want to see some of the pictures I'm talking about, you can follow me on TWITTER. I take pictures of food and upload them everyday!
Today is fabulous day 4 of my RAW/Vegan diet!! It’s time to put my experiences and thoughts so far into a blog for my wonderful readers ☺
Firstly: how is the food? Well, I’ll tell you. It is DELICIOUS!! I’m drinking Kombucha every day, eating Larabars and RAW/Vegan garden burgers, and snacking on crispy kale. Here’s a list of my favorite products and restaurants so far.
Spicy Kale Munchies – SunPower Natural. I’ve turned so many of my friends onto this snack, friends who aren’t even vegetarian, and they now swear by it too! I’ve also tried their raw cookies, and I’m so hooked. Next on my agenda: Visit their location! SunPower Natural Café, 3711 W. Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City – 818.308.7420 - www.sunpowernatural.com
Kombucha – Synergy or GT’s Organic Raw. It’s a bit fizzy so careful opening, and don’t shake ‘em!! Gently turn over to mix up the cultures that settled to the bottom. The flavors are delicious! Passionberry is one of my top choices ☺ and my p.a. Caroline is a big fan of the Mystic Mango!
Planet RAW– 609 Broadway Ave. Santa Monica - 310.587.1552 - www.planetraw.net - I’ve eaten dinner here like every night this week, and it’s so amazing!
Shoutouts to:
M Café - 7119 Melrose Ave, LA – 323.525.0588 – www.mcafedechaya.com
EarthBar – 413 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica - 424.214.2851 - www.myearthbar.com
Secondly: how’s my energy level? Very important, when you consider what I do every day (multiple workouts & training sessions!) and I am thrilled to report that I’m peppy and energetic! No sluggishness, no lethargy, just bursting full of life!!
Thirdly: how’s the insulin dependence? Well, I’ve only been following this lifestyle since Monday, and I’ve had a lot going on, so it really hasn’t changed YET. Not that this is discouraging though, as I feel slimmer and more focused!
Basically, I’m really digging the RAW/Vegan choices!!
My ROCKSTAR clients - from Motion City Soundtrack - are getting in wicked shape!
About 6 weeks ago, I got an email from someone at Sony Music. She was looking for someone to train the band Motion City Soundtrack while they recorded their next album in Los Angeles for 2 and a half months. She was given my contact info and so it began. I was delighted to take on a group of 5 guys (Matt Taylor, Justin Pierre, Josh Cain, Jesse Johnson, and Tony Thaxton) and coach them on how to enhance their lifestyle by making smarter food choices and exercising efficiently. They all had been on the road and eating, well, whatever...
A few of them wanted to shed some pounds, but overall they just wanted to get in great shape and FEEL healthier! I even agreed to go 30 days sans alcohol with them (I love red wine so it wasn't an easy choice for me at first! But today is DAY 42 for me and I FEEL INCREDIBLE!). Check out their video for "This Is For Real" (my FAVORITE MCS song! I played it in my SPIN class on Friday!) by clicking HERE!!! Go to iTunes and DOWNLOAD IT IMMEDIATELY!!!
Week one consisted of core training, stability conditioning, and beach runs. We also busted out a couple trips to Whole Foods and I put them on a sensible and doable meal plan. I also gave them some menus from a few of my favorite restaurants in LA. The biggest challenge for them was downsizing their portions. I invited them to text/email me whenever they had a question about food and they totally took me up on that! Jesse, in particular, would take pictures of food and email them to me to make sure I approved! It was so awesome to see how serious they all are about making a shift towards holistic living. Week two was more of a breeze. Well, kind of... Haha! The food thing was catching on but the workouts were WAY more intense. We officially developed a LOVE/HATE relationship. /
After just 2 weeks of training they had to hit the road for about 10 days. I was elated that they were finding ways to stay active and make the best of the food that was available to them. We checked in with each other almost everyday to keep the momentum going. Once they were back in town, and by week 3 of training, they were TELLING me what they were ordering from my favorite restaurants (like M CAFE and REAL FOOD DAILY) and what they were COOKING for dinner! No more asking! Just TELLING! The daily updates via text and email from them made my face hurt because I was smiling so much!
By the beginning of the 4th week I put them all on the ISAGENIX 30 day program and they have been doing so well with it! They all just had their first cleanse day yesterday and passed with flying colors. They realized how doable the program is and are all feeling like HEALTHY ROCKSTARS! It has been so spectacular watching their energy, strength, and awareness shift in less than a month! They are all getting lean and powerful! Justin is no longer drinking coffee! He has switched over to green tea! You should see him with a kettlebell: perfect form! Matt is getting creative with his shakes and loving them. His core strength and alignment have improved exponentially! Josh is running WAY faster and his endurance is stronger. Jesse's biceps are getting super cut. I always ask him if he has extra tickets to the gun show. Haha! Tony is staying on top of his eating regimen while his shoulder heals! As soon as he is ready to pump iron I will be waiting with open arms! Below are some text message convos between us:
5/3/09 (between me and Matt)
Matt:
OMG! Almond butter + black cherry fruit spread + kamut cake = happy me. I can get my PB & J fix now! :)
Me:
Hell yeah!!! Sounds soooooo yummy!!! :)
5/14/09 (between me and Matt)
Me:
Btw, your form has improved so much and I love how focused you are. You never complain and are so determined!!! It'll pay off big time in the end. Keep it up Matt!!!
Matt:
That's awesome! Thx for the encouragement. I'm stoked and feeling good. U rule!!
5/11/09 (between me and Josh)
Josh:
I just made a tuna burger with spinach, tomato, mustard, and a dash of pesto on a whole grain bun
Me:
YES!!!!!!!!!! :) I LOVE IT!!!
Josh:
Jenna, I'm soooo stoked. Another belt loop in one week and I am fitting into a shirt that I could not wear when we first got out here!!!!!! I am so happy! Thanks for kicking my ass!
Me:
Gasp!!! Woo hoo!!! That makes me sooooo happy! I love that you guys GET IT!!! You will have incredible success on the Isagenix program!!!
5/20/09 (between me and Jesse)
Me:
Hey there, how are you feeling today?!
Jesse:
Pretty sore, but doing great! Just made some dinner (quinoa pasta, chicken, black beans, tomatoes, and greens) so I'm ready to eat at 6. That will be my last meal of the day besides some FAGE yogurt later.
Me:
Yes!!!!!!! I love it! So freaking proud of you! :) :) :) How's the Isagenix program coming along?
Jesse:
Isagenix is a piece of cake... Ha!
5/17/09 (between me and Justin)
Me:
Hey JP, how's the food stuff coming along?
Justin:
Eating small meals throughout the day, snacking on almonds, and drinking kombucha (plus I've had about 10 cups of green tea today. J/K)
Me:
Hahaha!!! Good, green tea is better than coffee. Proud of you :) :) :) EAT VEGGIES TOO!
Justin:
YOU EAT VEGGIES!
Me:
I have been ALL DAY! Haha! Good work today, btw.
Justin:
Thanks, you're crazy!
Me:
LOL! :)
5/20/09 (between me and Tony)
Me:
Hey! I ordered you a calcium supplement for you to add to your shakes. I know you were wanting to get enough calcium for your shoulder while it heals.
Tony:
Yes, thank you!
Me:
No need to drink cow's milk. Consuming 3 glasses of milk a day gives you the same amount of cholesterol as 21 slices of bacon. Yuck... Anyway, how did your cleanse go?
Tony:
Not gonna lie, I'm a bit hungry, but getting through it!
Me:
You can totally snack on veggies if you get super hungry. Proud of you for staying strong!! :) good news is: only one cleanse day each week in 30 days. :)
*********************************************************************************************** It was hard for me to select only a few convos to share. All of them have made me so proud and ecstatic! I cannot tell you how rewarding it has been for me to watch them take control of their lifestyles and transform before my eyes! I am so honored to be a part of that!
Getting to know these guys has been so much fun and they are some of the most down-to-earth, funny, easy going, and REAL people I have ever met in my entire life. If you don't have any of their songs on your iPod yet, spend your money on some quality tunes and check out these tracks: "This Is For Real", "It Had to Be You", and "Fell In Love Without You".
Follow all of us on Twitter to see what we've been up to!
MISSION POSSIBLE™ @ the Healthy Living Festival THIS Sunday!!!
Please note that there will NOT be a Mission in Santa Monica this Sunday, the 17th of May. I will be representing Mission Possible™ at the Healthy Living Festival in Manhattan Beach!!! I will have a booth with yummy diabetic-friendly food samples and will also be doing mini workouts like MP™ stuff and SPINNING too! All outside! YAY! It'll be a HUGE event with TONS of stuff to do! Come support me and work out with me in Manhattan Beach! This is NOT something you want to miss!!!!
Sunday, May 17th, 12-4pm
Downtown Manhattan Beach, Metlox and 13th Street Plaza
a FREE Community event!
Food • Fitness • Eco-Friendly Living
Whole Planet
Curious about… building a green garden, green home, green lifestyle?
Enviroscape
Surfrider
TreePeople
Tree Canopy
VOICE
Annie’s Gardens
Kobata Growers Inc.
City Scape, Inc.
The Living Christmas Company
CB Composter
Planet Pals/ Grades of Green
West Basin Municipal Water District
Mira Costa Ecology Club
Evergreen Design.Build
TKO Painting & Carpentry
Organically Fresh Totes
EcoUsable
Kangen Water
Innovative Water Systems
All Shades of Green
Go Green Lunch Box
South Bay environmental Services
Toyota 2010 Prius
Electric Bikes LA
Whole Body Healing
Experience alternative and integrative therapies for you, your family and pets!
Feng Shui expert Jayme Barrett
Nourishing Wellness- Dr. Alan Peters
Nutritionist- Jeanne Peters
Yoga Therapy- Maureen Davis
BioPro- Electromagnetic Technology
Whispers Hope & Healing Touch
Harmony Village Meditation
Chinese Medicine- Kathleen Lowry
NaturWell Center- Homeopathy
Ayurvedic Medicine- Page Sieffert
Bates Chiropractic
Body & Balance- Health Center & Spa
Energy Muse
Healing Center- Colon Hydrotherapy
Murad Day Spa
Village Wellness…A healing place
Whole Body Fitness
Explore New Adventures in Fitness!
Mission Possible™ with Jenna Phillips
Spectrum- Spinning with Steve Krum
Pilates Room- Shelly Williams
Yoga Buddies- Danay DiVirgilio
Yoga Loft
Physical Therapist- Denise Chyette
Life chiropractic
Pilates Manhattan
Beach Body Fitness
GI Joe
Velocity Sport
Fulcrum Adventures- climbing wall
REI
What’s Cooking
Taste great food!
Whole Foods Market
Applegate Farms
Clif Kids
Nude Foods
Grow the Produce Shop
The Sensitive Baker
MB Farmers’ Market
My Chef Organics
Laura’s Wicked Pickles
Glacier Homemade Ice Cream
Fresh Brothers Pizza
The Shade Hotel
Mucho
Rock n’ Fish
Pomodoro
Salad Creations
Divine Nourishment
Sashi
Farm Stand
Mucho
DC Lemonade
POM
Entertainment & Activities
For every age!
Great Chefs cooking demonstrations
Jay Howarth- The Championship Season
Mira Costa’s Drum Line
Jazz great Rick Zunigar
Tori Roze & Nick Z.
Local band Sand Section
Groovy Fools- Children’s Music
Grant Johnson Yo-Yo Master
Power Karate Exhibition
Chivas USA Soccer
Fulcrum’s Adventures Climbing Wall
Come color with Señor Aguilar
City of MB Parks and Rec
Seeds of Joy- Waldorf Schools
Color me Mine
Hula Hoop challenge
Spectrum’s obstacle course
Plant an edible garden
Take home a California-native plant
Paint a Chef’s apron or hat
Growing Great nutrition and garden activities
I happily and naturally focus my energy on hundreds of people every week (between training my private clients, kicking ass in Mission Possible™, teaching SPINNING, being a nutrition mentor, and a lifestyle coach) in person, on the phone, and on line. Most importantly, I LOVELOVELOVE all of it! I seriously have my dream job and I know that I was put on this planet to motivate and inspire others to enhance their health and lifestyle. With all the "work" that I do, it's easy to forget about Jenna time.
I recently made a commitment to myself to get a weekly massage so I can receive some TLC and R&R. I checked out this place called THIBIANT BEVERLY HILLS DAY SPA last week and I was in complete HEAVEN! I received a 50 minute Swedish massage and a Phytotherapy facial. I fell asleep during both treatments! The spa is luxurious and absolutely gorgeous! Talk about exquisite serenity! THIBIANT BEVERLY HILLS DAY SPA "is the ultimate destination for escaping your stress and experiencing your beauty - for an hour or two, or for the entire day."
So get THIS! If you want to get a facial from Georgette, you can get 30% off your first treatment if you mention MY NAME! How great is that?!
Check out their website by CLICKING HERE or call 310.278.7565 to make your appointment today! Give yourself some YOU time!!!
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