The Skinny Confidential: A Babe's Sexy, Sassy Health and Lifestyle Guide (15 page)

+ A big, huge, absolutely absurdly large purse (I like white or black)

After you buy staples, you can plan around them. Some of my favorite stores that are chic and affordable include: Forever 21 (best finds ever; ya just have to search like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack); Charlotte Russe; LuLu*s online, Target (cute little boot selection); Marshalls; Nasty Gal; and vintage stores.

Find your own style to reflect who you are. Many years ago, I was dressing like Barbie
^®
on steroids. It just wasn’t me and wasn’t comfortable.

SO MALIBU BARBIE
^®
HAD TO GO.

Since then, my whole closet has evolved. I like darker colors and whites. I own lots of ankle boots, rocker tees, flea market finds, maxi skirts and dresses, skinny jeans, off the shoulder sweaters, kimonos and jumpsuits.

I feel so much more comfortable now that I’ve found my style niche.

And hey, if you’re looking good on the outside, make sure you’re feeling good on the inside. There’s nothing sexier than a confident, positive woman dressed to kill.

The more confidence you have, the better. Remember? Fake it, until you make it, peeps! Hopefully, by the time you finish this book, you’ll be able to wear a paper bag and freaking own it.

11
LOVE
CHUB

OK, so here’s the deal: You meet a man (swoon!). You and Mr. Man fall deeply in love. Everything’s hearts and freaking butterflies.

There’s only one problem: His eating habits are absolutely horrendous.

He eats pizza, chips, white bread and sick crap all day long. But wait, you’re so in love, so naturally you start to adopt his lovely habits.

This, my friends, is love chub.

And it’s a total epic
FAIL.

I’ve spoken with so many women who fall madly in love and start to eat like shit because of their BF’s habits. Letting another person dictate your eating is about as ridiculous as picking up smoking because your partner puffs a pack a day.

Separate the relationship and the food.

It’s a lot easier than you think, peeps.

My first trick is maybe somewhat manipulative (sorry, hunny!). I decided that instead of my babe influencing my eating, I’d influence his. Muhaha!

SO I BOUGHT A JUICER.

And every morning I juiced my little heart out. At first he walked by, curious. Later that week there were questions. Then, he requested a taste.

Guess what? Now he’s practically a juicer connoisseur!

He wakes me every A.M. with a cup of green juice.

This is “healthy manipulation” at its finest, people.

Juicing together each morning is romantic, healthy and delicious (a total win/win).

HERE ARE A FEW RECIPES THAT WILL STEAL YOUR MAN’S HEART.

*Each juice fills a 16-ounce/450-ml cup

NOTE:
Apples should NOT be blended or juiced with their seeds; they contain cyano compounds, which are carcinogenic in high enough amounts.

THE HEALTHY BLOODY MARY: A HANGOVER CURE

This is the perfect juice for Sundays. If your man’s Saturday was rough, whip this hangover remedy up and enjoy in bed. Because, I mean, who doesn’t love bloodies?! Cheers!

1 tomato

2 celery sticks

1 handful of spinach

1 lemon, squeezed

A few pinches of cayenne

+ Juice everything together

MR. MAN JUICE

This is one of my favorite juices because it helps with energy levels, aids in digestion and promotes healthy skin. It tastes similar to lemonade, too

2 handfuls of arugula

A handful of kale

1 green apple

1 lemon, squeezed

½ cucumber

½ ginger root, diced and peeled

+ Juice everything together

THE MEOW

This fresh juice is the most amazing anti-inflammatory. Cilantro and turmeric will whip out any inflammation. All the rest of the ingreds are filled with important vitamins and minerals. Beets are also fab for reducing blood pressure. This baby is definitely the most “veggish” and daring of the three. First-time juicers should try the first two before trying The Meow.

1 gala apple

A handful of beets

½ red bell pepper

1 large carrot

1 ginger root, diced and peeled

4 cilantro leaves

A few pinches of turmeric

+ Juice everything together

So let’s talk fruit. Living with a significant other can be a real uphill battle (that’s a whole separate book), but staying healthy as a couple is easy-peasy. Keep a bowl of organic apples, a stocked banana holder and some containers filled with berries on the kitchen counter. Fruit is high in enzymes, fiber, amino acids and vitamins. The more accessible the fruit, the better. Oh! And it satisfies a sweet tooth, too.

TOTALLY ROMANTIC, RIGHT?

Incorporate fruit into your and your partner’s meals. Some examples: berries in oatmeal, watermelon slices in an arugula salad, cherries diced over chicken and bananas dipped in almond butter. Movie theater date? Pack some fresh raspberries stuffed with chocolate chips for you and your hunny to snack on.

Your taste buds and your ass will thank you later. Meanwhile, your boyfriend will start to see that white bread and pizza are not the only food groups on the planet.

SHOCKER!

Other foods that will rock your man’s world: hummus, lentils, sweet potatoes, quinoa and veggie burgers.

OK, so eating out as a couple is a total relationship perk.

But hey, just because the BF orders fried calamari as an app, a steak dripping in butter with a side of French fries as an entree and a slice of cobbler for dessert doesn’t mean you should, too. When I’m at a restaurant, I pay absolutely no attention to what anyone else is ordering. My favorite dining out tip: Say no to entrees. I usually choose a salad as an appetizer and then pick an appetizer in place of an entree. Substituting apps for entrees is an effective way to practice portion control.