Making healthy changes is all about taking small steps. We have all made lists of New Year’s resolutions that either never happen or fizzle out by about the end of the first week of January. So if that applies to you this year, think about making small, achievable steps that will lead you to a healthier 2007. Begin by making a great, healthy start to each new day. If you begin the day with a spring in your step, you will be bright and alert and able to achieve the goals you aim for.
• Start the day with a cleansing glass of hot water and lemon. This is great for cleansing the kidneys and for the complexion too. Trust me, after only seven days you will start to look better. This also signals your body that it is time to start the day.
• Stretch into the morning. Stretching in the morning is the most natural thing for the body. I have designed a quick mini-morning workout, which takes less than 20 minutes. It gets the blood flowing and helps keep your body young and flexible. Send an email to [email protected] to get a free copy, or perform your own exercises in the bedroom before you shower.
• Make breakfast a quiet, healthy ritual. A good breakfast gives you the energy to face the new day. Make your first meal of the day really healthy. Fresh juice with good Muesli and skimmed milk or yoghurt is great, or else try toasted whole meal bread with honey or a banana.
• Give yourself a list of priorities for the day and work through them.
• Always keep a bottle of water by your desk — and drink it!
Recipe of the Week
Chicken Piccata
Serves 6
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, about 170 g each
1 tbsp all purpose flour
55 g unsalted butter
80 ml dry white wine
1 tbsp lemon peel, grated
Lemon slice
Method
Place chicken between two sheets of wax paper and pound lightly with a mallet or other heavy flat object to 1.3 cm. Melt half the butter in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken about 4 minutes per side until just cooked throughout. Transfer chicken to a platter and keep warm. Stir in wine with a wooden spoon to de-glaze skillet. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and remaining butter until butter is melted. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with lemon slices.
Ask Alva
I want to lose weight desperately but I have a 2 1/2 -year-old daughter and I don’t have time to exercise. My daughter wants to join me for walks and it becomes difficult for me to carry her. I started exercising but she keeps playing in front of me and I cannot concentrate. I have started dieting and given up sweet products. But my hands and breast muscles have become loose and they look very odd. My hair and skin are becoming dull day by day. So, I want to know what should I do to make me look and feel good. Is there any exercise that I can do? May
I think it might be a good idea if you could invest in a small pushchair for your little girl, and then you could take her out for healthy walks quite easily. In fact, you will get more exercise that way than just walking on your own. It is good that you have given up sweet foods, but be careful about dieting, because if you deny your body food, it will cause the body stress, and the end result will be that when you stop the diet, you will put weight back on again. It is much better to develop simple, healthy eating habits. When you lose weight, it is important to do exercises that tone your body so that the skin does not become flabby. I have an excellent set of mini-morning exercises that take just 20 minutes and can be done every day. E-mail me for them at [email protected]. Alva
For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at: [email protected]
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