I’m always thrilled to hear about my past clients’ success stories, and wanted to share an email I just received:

“Hi Alex,

I was a participant in your January Detox Tele-class.  We had discussed my cholesterol during my one on one with you and you were interested in hearing results of how my diet change has affected my readings.  To give you a quick background, I was diagnosed with high cholesterol late in 2004 – my total cholesterol at that time was 375 with the LDL at 281.  I tried diet and exercise and with running every day had my total cholesterol in 2006 at 269 with the LDL at 179.  I went on meds and my reading in September 2009 was at 262 with and LDL of 150. (I became vegetarian Feb 2008)

So the big news – three months after my detox with you and “mostly eliminating dairy” from my diet – my total cholesterol is at 205 with my LDL at 119…I believe the detox and elimination of dairy has had a big effect.

Thank you – thank you for helping me find a healthy AND satisfying diet.

Best regards,
Christine D.”

Heart disease is still one of the top killers of American women. High blood cholesterol levels are a major indication that you could be on the road to heart disease, and proper diet plays a big role in changing those cholesterol levels.

The beauty of Christine’s story is that she experienced such wonderful results (including weight loss and reduced congestion) with such simple dietary changes.

Here’s to your health!

Alexandra

When I worked in advertising, I heard this mantra a lot : “K.I.S.S.” This stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid! Sometimes the simplest ingredients can yield the most satisfying results. A case in point, Raw Chocolate Heaven Dip. Please to enjoy.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

½ cup almond, peanut or cashew butter (unsweetened, unsalted)

3 tablespoons brown rice or raw agave nectar

3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder

scant pinch sea salt

Optional fruit for dipping: apple slices, peeled orange segments, or spread on banana slices with a knife

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
2. Using the back of a rubber spatula or spoonula, cream the ingredients together until completely mixed.
3. Serve with sliced fruit for dipping.

Come join Alexandra at the luxurious, top-of-the-line Equinox gym on 74th Street and 2nd Ave in New York City this Wednesday, May 19th at 8pm:

Getting that Glow For Summer!

How to Transform Your Looks and Help You Feel Your Best with Holistic Nutrition

When you feel good, you look great. Healthy people have a light about them—a kind of inner glow. And let me tell you, nothing beats adequate rest and having reserves of energy. This gives you the strength, courage and heightened awareness to handle anything that comes your way. Come learn the nutrition and lifestyle secrets to getting that glow.

RSVP for the opportunity to get one-on-one tips and instruction at the May 19^th class to Kelly.wickstrom@equinox.com

The interactive class will offer tips of plant-based nutrition for glowing energy and healthy weight loss strategies to get you ready for the warm weather that’s coming.

And you’ll get so many bonus goodies:

- Free Vegan Pizza from Slice Pizza

- Free samples of natural, cruelty-free products

- A guest pass to work out at this amazing Equinox facility the day of the lecture

I’ll also be signing copies of my books The Great American Detox Diet and Living Vegan for Dummies, and offering a special price of $30 when you buy both books.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Just remember to RSVP to Kelly by midnight on Tuesday, May 18th.

Alexandra

“I’m thoroughly loving the new way of eating. Never felt better.”

Wahooo! This is why I love this work.

Be well, Alexandra

I was honored to be a judge for Veggie Conquest 4 here in NYC

Jasmin Singer of OurHenHouse.com filmed the event and put together a great video – watch the fun here!

Our Hen House on Veggie Conquest from jasmin singer on Vimeo.

I was honored to be a judge for Veggie Conquest 4 here in NYC

Jasmin Singer of OurHenHouse.com filmed the event and put together a great video – watch the fun here!

Our Hen House on Veggie Conquest from jasmin singer on Vimeo.

Whole grains offer wonderful nutritional support, but most of us don’t know how to cook them easily. A “whole grain” is one that still has all of its edible parts in tact: the bran, germ and endosperm are still part of the grain, offering fiber, minerals, protein, and antioxidants.

Skip that white, processed Uncle Ben’s in a box, and go straight for the darker beige and brown grains in the bulk section for real health benefits. A serving is only 1/2 cup!

Eating just 2.5 servings of whole grains each day is associated with a 21 % lower risk of cardiovascular disease, the top killer of American women, compared to consuming only 0.2 servings. Including 2-3 servings of whole grains a day is associated with less obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Because whole grains like brown rice, millet or quinoa take a little longer to cook than white rice many people feel they don’t have enough time to make them a regular menu item. Not true!

Here are my best tips for making grains easy to integrate:

1. Make extra: cook up a big pot of quinoa, brown rice or other whole grain and refrigerate the unused grains for up to 2-3 days in an air-tight container. You can then scoop out cooked grain 1/2 cup at a time and add it to dishes for easy meals.

2. Pretend like it’s pasta: Scoop a 1/2 cup of cooked grain out of the refrigerator and reheat on the stove with some vegetable stock or water. Top with your favorite pasta sauce and veggies. Takes about 6 minutes.

3. Pretend like it’s salad: Scoop 1/2 cup of cooked grain and toss with your favorite salad dressing. Add chopped veggies like cucumbers, shredded carrots and olives.

4. Pretend like it’s oatmeal: Scoop 1/2 cup of cooked grain into a small saucepan and mix with a little water, juice or plant milk (rice, almond, hemp, soy, oat). Reheat over medium and sprinkle with a little cinnamon and some raisins. Add some chopped nuts or sunflower seeds. Takes about 5 minutes.