Prepping for Photo Shoots with 2 Chicks & Some Lipstick

Photo shoot week is well under way and today I am excited to have a few words from the ultimate beauty babes who make me look like a million bucks - Val & Lori of 2 Chicks & Some Lipstick. They are veritable geniuses when it comes to creating THE look & their super-cool blog is brimming with beauty tips. Here's how they prep me for a shoot...

When Tosca’s assistant called to book us on a week-long shoot, we got really excited! Why? Because during these shooting marathons, we manage to get a years worth of marketing photos needed for our fave Eat-Clean Queen!

This means Tosca gets a wide range of photos, we get to glam her up and we try new looks, hairstyles and products. It’s playtime, baby!

To get fully prepared, we went over the looks we were shooting and did a little makeup kit inventory to make sure we had enough of our favorite products to use on Tosca. Sure enough, I was running low on Makeup Forever HD foundation, YSL’s touché eclat, and our fave MAC powders. After re-stocking the makeup kit with the necessities, we were ready.

Since we are shooting a year’s worth of photos, we would be covering summer looks, winter looks and everything in between. We always create Tosca’s looks under the ‘fit, fresh and fabulous’ umbrella, so we play within those parameters. Sometimes we’ll add a lil’ drama to her eyes, other times we’ll play around with different shades of lipstick and take Tosca’s sleek bob hairstyle into new territory by adding texture and waves.

Here’s a list of makeup products that love Tosca’s face (click on the link to read more about these products on the Two Chicks blog):

Photo Shoot Week

A glimpse at what's to come! Photo Credit: Paul Buceta & Two Chicks

Let the photo shoots begin!

We've been prepping like crazy for the next 10 days of photo shoots. My girls and I were up super early this morning to get started.

Look forward to updates, pics, and guest blogs with MUAs Lori & Val of 2 Chicks & Some Lipstick and fab photographer Paul Buceta.

Plus, Rita & I will have our check in later on in the week.

Stay tuned!

Tough Love Triathlons

I am excited today's guest blogger is my daughter, Rachel, aka The Traveling Naturopath. While she is in the midst of completing her clinical year at CCNM in Toronto, she is also maintaining her athletic endeavours. This past weekend she competed in her 3rd sprint-distance triathlon and she did it in honor of my late-husband, Robert, her stepdad. I'll let her tell you how it went...

Our fabulous medals & my Tough-Love Bob tee made for a pretty stylish race. 

Hello Eat Cleaners. It's exciting to write for you and share all of the fabulous things that happened last Sunday in Michigan.

My boyfriend, Mat, and I traveled down to Ann Arbor to race in the He Tried/She Tried sprint-distance triathlon put on by the super-fun Epic Races group. My draw to Michigan, aside from the friendly race environment, was also my Aunt Tammy (aka Sister in Speed Tammy), my Uncle Ron, and my 2 cousins. She was competing in the Olympic-distance event.

This was my 3rd triathlon and Mat's 1st. How great is it that the event was made for couples? It's the perfect way to try out your first event.

I had been inspired to race years ago by my Ironman dad. My 1st race was in high school and I nearly drowned even with all of my lifeguarding, swim instructing, and competitive swimmer experience - something about that open-water swim can just knock the wind right out of you. Two years ago I came out of "race retirement" when my mom decided to compete in a triathlon as her new goal after turning 50. We went down to Ann Arbor to race with my aunt in the Tri Goddess Sprint Tri and we all wound up winning our age groups. Let's just say this was more than inspiring!

With the race bug fully implanted, I competed with my friends in an Olympic-distance relay last summer. This summer I thought I would be ready for a full Olympic-distance. Unfortunately, my stepfather's sudden illness and passing took the wind right out of my training sails.

It took me until the middle of May to feel like I wanted to get off the couch again.

With the help of Coach Rita, I trained hardcore until the middle of July. No alcohol, no grains, lots of weights, running, cycling and swimming. I settled for sprint distance instead of Olympic.

I was ready!

Mat & I packed up the car with our gear (you can read what I bring with me on my blog here) and headed down to Michigan after a long day of seeing patients at the RSNC.

Our game plan was to do the best we could.

Mat in the transition zone rocking his Bull's Eye tee. 

We set up our transition zone and got ready to race. Once again, I panicked in the water, but I kept telling myself to breath and stay as calm as possible. I reminded myself constantly that my stepdad and stepbrother were watching over me and would keep me safe. Lots of breast stroke transpired between bouts of front crawl so I could keep my composure. But I made it out of the 800m swim in about 17 min. Mat was right behind me. We started the bike together, but eventually I felt the power and tried to push harder. My 20km hilly bike was over in 36min. Now, onto the run. I was feeling the burn so I downed an Espresso Hammer Gel (yum!) and raced through the beautiful trails for 5km passing a few people, including a U of M competitor. I felt the power and the energy and sprinted the last 150m finishing my run in 23min. Wow! Mat had finished a few minutes before me and I jumped into his arms at the finish line.

We did it!

But we certainly weren't expecting the results... we won our age group! How exciting.

Taking the podium as #1 in our age group! Wahoo!

It was a powerful day made even better by the fact that I got to do it with my best friend & #1 supporter.

And now I know I am ready for an Olympic-distance next summer.

Our wacky racers including Sister in Speed Tammy in the black and red. 

MENTAL Strength & Fitness

From Tosca:
WHERE THE MIND GOES THE HEART WILL FOLLOW

I am training.  Yes, it is for a contest.  Yes, Coach Rita is busting my plateau and my butt.  Yes, I hurt a lot but mostly on Fridays after six days straight of gym pain.  Yes, my body is responding, revealing definition where there was none, curves where there were flats and increased muscularity where there was less.  Together we are trending towards success.  I already feel as if I have experienced that joy as the results appear.

Where the training has had a more subtle effect is in my heart and my head.  Given the monstrous challenges handed to me of late, including the death of not only my stepson last year but my beloved husband Robert this year, there were many days that I would rather have hidden myself away in the walk-in closet deep in the comfort of Robert's housecoat.  I took on the challenge of contest prep because I knew I needed some powerful structure in my life in order to get through to a brighter side.  This is exactly what has happened for me.  Several weeks into the training I am now feeling hope and possibilities once again.  I experience that familiar thrill as the workout approaches, preparing for the physical performance I am about to unleash.  As I rep out squats I have moments where I feel strongly the sisterhood and brotherhood of those who embrace the Iron Game.

I like feeling strong.  I like feeling powerful.  I like that when I feel this way my heart and my head soar.  With every rep and set completed I am strengthening not only my body but my mind.  As Rita sets newer and more difficult challenges for me, my personal fortitude blossoms.  I am ready and willing to grow.  I am powering through the dark days.  I still have moments when my heart skips a beat hearing Bob's name or thinking about who we were together, but the gym remains my constant.  Bob planted the seeds in me growing this love for caring for my body and my mind this way.  Rita is nurturing that love and bringing the flower to bloom.

My heart is going forward in health and strength and my head follows.

From Rita:
By now, most of us know the importance of proper nutrition and training.  How the two must go hand-in-hand to achieve fantastic results - you cannot outtrain a bad diet, nor can you sculpt your body with diet alone. But what about mental strength and fitness?  I don’t think I ever really focussed on it until I started working with Tosca. Don’t get me wrong, I know what sacrifices and will power are needed to achieve a specific goal, but Tosca has shown me what true strength of mind is.

You see, I am the tough-love coach.  I push my clients to their edge, all the while preaching the importance of proper nutrition, fueling for workouts, sleep requirements, rest, yadda, yadda, yadda.  I am the external motivator, but what pushes that client to not give up in the middle of the workout?   What makes that client set the alarm 1 hour early to get in some hill sprints? What about keeping the wine cork in and passing on the potatoes while Coach Rita isn’t looking??  It is their mental fitness and strength - aka Will and Determination - and Tosca possesses both to the nth degree.  She demonstrates workout after workout, meal after meal, question after question that this is her goal, and she will not only reach it, but surpass it.

So why don’t we all have this drive? And if we do, why does it come and go?  I believe that just like our physical one, our mental fitness needs to be reviewed, measured and practiced.  We can squat till we are blue in the face (or sore in the a$$), but if our head is not in the game, we will not reach our full potential, push ourselves beyond our preconceived limits, or follow through to the end without a clear pathway and strength of mind.  I often say to Tosca as we are training together - keep your goals in mind. When I see her wavering, or breathing deeply and grunting, wondering if she will give me one more rep, I ask her to remind herself of why she is doing this, I tell her to keep HIM present.  This is her mental strength & fitness.  She practices it daily - inside the office, in the gym, and by herself in solitude.

I invite all of you to ask yourself questions as you embark on a new fitness journey, or any other journey for that matter.  Ask yourself why and be HONEST with yourself.  Keep your answers present with you always - especially when you want to quit, throw in the towel or choose the “easier” road.  It is then that the answers to your questions will help push you one step closer to your goal - 1 more rep, 1 more time.

And as a side note, and in case you were wondering, nothing….I mean NOTHING is stopping Tosca from getting to her goal, no matter what roadblocks, barriers or challenges she/we will encounter and have already endured.  She inspires me.

As I told her last week, she is a woman with “dos cojones.”

Eating Bird Food

Today's guest post is by Eating Bird Food blogger, Brittany Mullins. She has a fabulous site full of resources and has been generous enough to share a recipe with us today. Thank you Brittany. 

Super-cute & super-fit Brittany Mullins!

Hi! I’m Brittany Mullins, a full-time online marketing gal, holistic health coach living in Richmond, Virginia. I’m also the author of Eating Bird Food, a healthy living blog that features nutritious (and tasty) recipes, workouts and a glimpse into my daily life, which is currently being taken over by wedding planning.

I first learned about Tosca Reno and the Eat-Clean Diet about four years ago. I read The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged cover to cover, and while I already ate relatively healthy, I picked up quite a few tricks including the following:

- Make sure to have a combination of lean protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal
- Eat more healthy fats
- Incorporating strength training into my workout routine
- Eliminate processed foods and artificial sweeteners

Over the years, the principles of Eating Clean have helped me immensely in reaching my health and fitness goals! I also love Tosca’s recipes, so whenever I’m in need of some inspiration I pull out her cookbooks and make something new - the recipes never disappoint. Speaking of which, I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite breakfast recipes with you all today.

Protein Overnight Oats

Oxygen Winners

My goodness. How moving it is to read all of your words, your struggles, your strength and your power. We are all bound together by that fabric in life - the one that makes us human. We are breakable, but we are also beautiful in each of our own painful stories.

Thank you for your honesty, openness, and candidness in sharing what has brought you down in life. Reading how you picked yourself back up again is remarkable... incredible.

If I could send each and every one of you a copy of the magazine I would indeed, but I the joy of at least making 5 of you a little happier:

- Lisa
- Bobbi Jo Nichols
- Andrenia
- Karen
- IntelBlogKJK

Please contact rcorradetti@rkpubs.com with your full information so that we can send you your copy.

Know that what you have share here today has not only touched my life, and made my journey easier, but has also helped the tens of thousands of people who visit this site each day.

I am so lucky to have each of you as readers. We are a true family.

Much love,
Tosca

Win a Copy of Oxygen!

This month's Oxygen magazine features some crazy good content.

In the August issue we tout super-hot Olympian Lolo Jones. With the 2012 Summer Olympics a mere 3 days away we are super excited to have this dynamo on the cover.

I also get real in this issue discussing "How I Began the Healing Process". Learn all about how I've been getting out of bed every morning to face the day with your help and that of my friends, family & fabulous team at RKP. My tip: "It is not what life throws at you that decides your fate, but your reaction to it. You can choose to be depressed, but I have learned to grieve and be grateful at the same time. It is still difficult but I know how blessed my life was with Bob and now without, as I take baby steps in they new normal."

Interested in getting a free copy of Oxygen? We're giving away 5 copies of the magazine to people who leave a comment about how they have dealt with a difficult situation in their life.

Unleashing the Power Within at Anthony Robbins's Event

Here I am with my friends Caio and Lee at the event. Yay for new friends!!

I have just returned from the Unleash the Power Within experience held in San Jose, California this past weekend.  I will tell you without hesitation, I am a changed woman, even if I am exhausted.  This for me equals an enormous transformational shift and that is a good thing because I needed it.  Working on your body is one thing but working on your emotional and psychological !@# is another.  Today my body feels as if it has been through one of Coach Rita’s brutal training sessions times one hundred!

I am happy to say however, that I made it!!  I walked on fire!  Yes!  On Friday evening after a long day of seminars, the 6000 attendees and myself walked in complete darkness to a park where 12, 12-foot long fire pits were laid out on the grass.  Just managing the walk in that crowd was an achievement for me as I am claustrophobic, and not just a little bit.  I don’t even like wearing hats for that reason.  But I got myself into “peak state” as Tony would call it and survived.  In a matter of minutes I found myself standing in front of a fire pit where I would test myself against the glowing, hot (anywhere from 1200 to 2000 degrees F) coals.  In peak state with eyes up and chanting “Cool Moss” repeatedly until the end, I made it!  I was not one of the 45 people who got burned nor was I one of the 5 who sustained 3rd degree burns.  My feet were a bit tingly but nothing more and I couldn’t have cared less because I was so ecstatic about my accomplishment.  And by the way, being ecstatic and having a grand old celebration with a bunch of strangers is exactly what you are supposed to do.  Wahoo!!

After a modest 4 hours of sleep I got up and pushed through another two 14-hour days.  These are marathon sessions, no kidding!  Never was I happier to be well prepared with my Eat-Clean Diet cooler full of Clean fare.  What a godsend! It gave me pure confidence to be able to reach into my bag for something Clean and nourishing that would sustain me.  While I ate HBE's, raw veggies, apples and nuts others had to stand in hour-long lineups for their less appetizing and unclean fare.  The coconut water and water laced with Cell Food drops served me well.  I shared the drops with newly made friends around me as people curiously asked what I was adding to my water.  At an event of that magnitude requiring so much physical and emotional output it is all too easy to become dehydrated.

In summary I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.  I have a new mantra now and am ready to take on the world, one hot coal at a time!

Our Very Own MeredithECD Gets Fit!

I LOVE success stories. And I love them even more when they hit so close to home. 

Most of you know MeredithECD from visiting The Kitchen Table, Facebook and meeting her at many of our events. She is an integral part of the RKP Books team, and I am so thrilled that she is our guest blogger today. She has done remarkably well remodelling her body into a healthy, happy form. Well done, Meredith!

MeredithECD looking hot!

I’ve struggled with my weight since I was in middle school, over 10 years ago. I started putting on weight slowly at first, but once I hit high school I ballooned up to around 170 pounds. University was the worst time for me, with fast food and school meal plans the only food I could afford, and alcohol in vast supply. I never did make note of my heaviest weight, but the highest number I saw on the scale was 197 pounds.

Almost as bad as my food intake was my exercise – or lack thereof. With plenty of classes, papers to write and a job at the school newspaper, I found more excuses to be lazy than I found reasons to be active. I played ultimate Frisbee for one year, but I’d get halfway across the field during a game and be acutely out of breath.

MeredithECD before her dramatic transformation.

The clincher was when I visited Italy with my sister in my second year of university. We were visiting friends who were living there with their young daughter Ava, and we had made so many fun plans. I found myself tired and lethargic, unwilling even to go tobogganing with Ava and feeling just plain miserable.

At one point, Ava’s mom actually had to physically pick my chin up because she noticed I was looking down at the ground while we walked – in Venice! Imagine watching the ground while you walk around the beautiful city of Venice! I was too afraid to look up and see the faces looking back at me in disgust or disappointment – I was used to seeing that in Canada all the time.

Tosca's Tips for Travelling + Protein Pumpkin Mini Muffins

Cooler packed a ready to go! California, here I come!

I have a busy weekend ahead of me and it's far from home. I am flying to San Jose, California to attend Anthony Robbin's Unleash the Power Within weekend. I have no idea what's in store for me - although, I do know that this evening events start with fire walking (oh my)!

I have had to be well-prepared in advance for this weekend with my cooler and training plans ready for me no matter what comes my way. I have always travelled this way, but with Coach Rita in my corner these days I have to be sure I am following her rules. I have no doubt I will stay on track - my determination to bring my best body forward for my competition in October in honor of my husband outweighs all desires to be lazy.

Here's what Rita has in store for me...

This week Tosca will be travelling to the states for a conference.  This means long 10-hour days, little down time and a lot of mental absorption. So, I guess that means 4 days off of training and eating 2 times a day at greasy restaurants….we have no choice. 

Ha ha….fooled ya! 

A choice we do have- we just have to be prepared, organized and prioritize.  Don’t let life get in the way of your goals - incorporate them into your life. There is ALWAYS a way.

In preparation for her trip, Tosca will bring her trusty cooler packed with essentials such as her protein powder (fine as a snack while travelling - just add water), mini packages of natural nuts and seeds, fruit (natures perfect package), hard-boiled eggs, cut up veggies and Rita’s Pumpkin Protein Mini-Muffins (see recipe below) - perfect for pre and post workout.  

Although her eating is quite restricted right now due to upcoming shoots and the show, I told Tosca to not think about what she cannot eat, rather what she CAN eat.  I LOVE eating out, and do so with all of my “eating rules” in place.  Tosca’s diet is based on fresh vegetables (leafy green emphasis), meats (organic, hormone free), fish, seafood, nuts, seeds, fruits.  When ordering at a restaurant, Tosca can order an arugula salad with beets and balsamic dressing to start, a fish or lean steak along with a variety of steamed or grilled veggies. A black espresso for dessert and Voila- an enjoyable meal! Make sure you tell the waiter NOT to bring the bread basket to avoid temptation.  Because Tosca is eating every 2-3 hours, she can have one of her snacks from her cooler pack before going to the restaurant which will keep hunger at bay while ordering and waiting for food.  

As for training, most hotels are equipped with a gym, it will be a matter of Tosca getting it done nice and early, and avoiding the temptation to pass on her workout after so many hours in conference.  I have sent her along with 2 travelling circuits that can be done in her hotel room first thing upon rising if she so chooses.  They're not easy - but they're effective.

Life still happens- so let’s roll with the punches!

Rita's Pumpkin Protein Mini-Muffins

Rebuilding Reno: Meal Plan Critique

Coach Catolino gets real with my latest meal plan critiques. I sent her my 3 food journals (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and her response is in red. Let's hope this isn't another Cleanorexia moment :) 

What?! No more Wine!!! :(

In this heat everyone needs to up their water intake! Follow Coach Catolino's advice

Why Coach Rita Said REST!

In the midst of my contest training Rita pulled a full stop MANDATORY REST DAY on me.  It was shocking to hear her tell me to "knock it off and kick back."  Everything else about Rita is "tough luck get your A$$ in gear!"  Here's why she advised me to take a day off.

In the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) where I live we are in the middle of record breaking summer temperatures.  Humidity is also high.  We have had temps of upwards of 32 degrees Celsius for weeks.  Many days it feels as hot as 42 degrees out here.  Everything that used to be green is now brown and/or dead.  Even my pool is green.  It's so hot we can't keep up with the algae.  It's so hot I find it hard to train properly.  Our poor dogs are suffering, too.  They don't want to eat or do anything but dig a hole in the dirt and sit there.  These are definitely the DOG DAYS of Summer.

With regard to training, Rita and I have discovered that the Friday evening training session is the most difficult.  I have killed my body so much throughout the week that by Friday I know I have to take a deep breath in order to accept the pain and overcome it to get through the workout.  The additional heat and humidity doesn't make it any easier.  This past weekend I managed my Friday workout, did the active rest thing on Saturday by filling an entire dumpster with junk out of my barn and basement and thought I was good to go with a big workout on Sunday.  By the time Sunday rolled around I felt terrible.  I forced myself to begin my warmup, which by the way is a Rita Warmup - there's nothing warm about it!  It's HOT!  I was in a full sweat by the time I finished and felt there was nothing left in my tank for the rest of the workout.  I had to sit down and recompose myself but knew I couldn't continue with any more training.  I felt like a I had a grand piano tied to my butt!  I felt bad about cutting my workout but decided I would finish the job later in the day when it was cooler.  That is what I did but it was not a pretty workout.

Then I phoned Rita and told her how my training had gone down.  Before I even completed my last sentence she stopped me and said "Take Monday off.  Mandatory Rest Day!"  I am fighting hard to do my best for this contest but I knew she was right.  I took the day off and do feel better.  I paid extra attention to hydrating myself using Cell Food electrolyte drops and lemon juice.  I feel better and am just about to step into the gym for a two-hour training session with Rita.

Bring it!!

Clean Eating Resident Chef Jo Lusted & Her HOT BEHIND Get Real

I am soooo excited to have my dear friend, Chef Jo Lusted, Resident Chef of Clean Eating magazine here to guest blog for us today. She is a wonderful chef and was gracious enough to cook for us during my husband's final days. She is a lifesaver and I am so lucky to have her as a friend. 


Read about her foray into competition training & don't forget to vote for her. She is competing for the honour of being Toronto’s Hottest Chef! Each Chef gets to pick a charity of choice, and if she wins, all the money raised goes to that organization. Her charity of choice is The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in memory of my husband, Robert. This is a cause that is near and dear to all of our hearts, and I would love nothing more than to help her win and raise a little money to help beat cancer once and for all. Vote here until July 17 at noon! Voting is FREE.


TAKE IT AWAY JO...


I’m writing this post from an airport lounge. It’s 5am. Everyone around me is sipping coffee and nibbling on cookies. I’ve just pulled 2 hard boiled eggs and an apple from the clever stash of goodies in my purse. After rather clumsily peeling my eggs, I looked up and noticed that the guy beside me is eyeballing my breakie… I think he’s jealous, and for good reason! He doesn’t have a Tosca Reno Eat-Clean Survival Kit! Fact is, a few months ago, I wouldn’t have been so prepared either.

On May 07, 2012 I began training for my first physique competition - in the bikini category. For a girl that doesn’t even like to wander the beach in a bikini, donning one so tiny it has to be glued onto my curvy bits to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions, then parading out on stage for every inch of my body to be scrutinized is TERRIFYING, to say the least. I’ve battled with my weight as long as I can remember. I’ve never been obese, however, have never been a “skinny girl”, which used to be my standard of beauty. When I was in university, someone yelled, “You need Jenny Craig!!” at my friend and I, as they whizzed past, laughing and pointing out the car window. It hurt. That person likely forgot about it the next day, but years later I can still remember that strangers voice so clearly. After gaining quite a bit of weight balancing Chef School and two jobs in two different provinces, I knew something had to change. For the first time in my life, I had to shop at a plus-size clothing store. Curves are beautiful, and I encourage everyone to embrace them and love what they’ve got, however, I didn’t love what I had. I was embarrassed to even walk into the store. I weighed 220lbs at 5’6” tall.

That was it… I joined a gym, and jumped on the ol’ treadmill 5-6 days a week (something I do not advocate now!). It was around that time that I picked up my first Oxygen magazine and discovered the world of the Eat-Clean Diet. In a simple sentence, it just made sense.

My mom is a fabulous cook, and always made wholesome food from scratch… no frozen dinners or sugar-laden drink mixes at our house, so it was comforting and familiar to me. The best part about discovering the Eat-Clean Diet was that I learned to enjoy food again in a completely different and cleaner way than the creamy sauces and buttery side dishes that I had learned (and devoured…) in Chef School. By following the Eat-Clean Diet and moving my butt I lost over 70lbs. It’s easy to make food taste delicious when it’s loaded with butter, salt, and bacon. The challenge is making something that feels just as decadent, without all of that. This is what the Eat-Clean Diet is all about.
  
My blog and fitness mission is entitled “Hot Behind”. There’s a story behind the name, that I’ve saved just for this post…The first time Tosca came to teach an Eat-Clean Diet cooking class with me, her team accompanied her including of course, Bob, who snapped photos and cheered her on the entire evening. At the beginning of every class, I had to do a little safety rules speech to the group. Part of this speech was introducing the term “Hot Behind” - an essential phrase in a professional kitchen. One must use this phrase to announce the action of carrying something HOT (ie – giant stock pot of hot soup, baking tray just out of the oven), while navigating behind others through the kitchen. This helps avoid injury from someone turning sharply and banging into the person behind them (try this at home!).
The fun bit is that I insist that everyone exclaim “Hot Behind” to announce their presence behind someone throughout the class… well, Bob and Tosca being BUTT people, LOVED it!! The whole group was having a great time, and posing for “Hot Behind” photos! We laughed and laughed… it was the cutest thing, and became our little joke. My awesome service team at Tosca’s 50th Birthday Party even posed for a “Hot Behind” photo, that I had framed for her.

The day I decided that I was going to change my life and enter a competition, there was no question what the name of my blog & project was going to be. It’s my little tribute to Bob and Tosca, for the incredible influence and inspiration they are in my life.

LAST CHANCE: Sun Warrior Protein Discount!

Recovery Shake with Sun Warrior Protein and Activated Barley. Recipe here!

We had such a great response to the Sun Warrior protein discount offered last week that we decided to extend it to JULY 15. 

But this time the discount applies to ALL Raw Elements products. You'll get 10% off with the Discount Code - TOSCA

This promo can be used for all Raw Elements products including my favourites:
- coconut oil
- chia seeds
- barley powder
- raw vegan vanilla protein powder

So exciting! Definitely something to take advantage of on the hot summer day!

Reno & Catolino Rebuilding Update

Kicking it in the gym with Rita!

From Rita:
Soon after starting with Tosca, I quickly realized that this was not your typical 50-some-year-old woman (I think she has had a few sips from the fountain of youth - and strength).  She smashed through the first phase of training in 2 weeks, and she kept me on my toes.  After experiencing soreness from session 1, she quickly relayed to me that the soreness subsided quite a bit in the following sessions: time for a change.  This new phase has focused on a higher-resistance load, and less sets within each group of exercises.  In phase 1, we progressed from completing multiple sets of 1 movement, before moving to the next. Now, however, in phase 2, we are super-setting (2 exercises back to back with little or no rest in between), and I have even included some tri-sets (3 in a row).

On leg day #1, I was to train Tosca one-on-one in her home gym - the same gym where Bob pushed her time and time again.  I knew it would be special to say the least.  I felt his presence.

I started Tosca off with some Bulgarian Split Squats (rear leg on bench, while loading 80% of weight on front leg).  Her ear-to-ear grin quickly turned into teeth-grinding, and after 3 reps she stated something along the lines of: “I can’t get through this”. But guess what? She did. 15 more reps…on each leg, 4 more sets, one rep at a time.  It was in this moment that I realized more than ever how much she is doing this for him. For Bob.  She looked up, as to find his strength to get her through the next hour and a half.  And strength he gave.  On her first set of plyometric jumps (jumping split squats), I asked Tosca to perform 15 per leg.  After 4 jumps, she stopped, grunted, did a few more, stopped, and then fell to the ground.  I was torn. As a trainer, I have the tough-love side, the one that usually says “suck it up buttercup”, but I am also extremely empathetic and can relate well with other’s situations.  As I held out my hand, Tosca pulled herself back up and finished the set. She still had 3 more sets to follow.   In my head, I thought maybe I jumped the gun with this challenging program - then my tough-love side kicked in again, and we pushed through it together. Tosca did.  Bob must have attached some strings to her legs, strings of strength, because sets 2-4, Tosca preformed EVERY REP with a newly found push and exceeded my original expectations.

I love that Tosca keeps me on my toes, and doesn’t let me blink for a second. I love the personal challenge.  I love her will and determination.  This has become a lot more than just a show in tribute to her late husband. It has become a journey and healing process that neither Tosca, myself or anyone else watching knows how it will unfold.  It is inspiring to say the least.

From Tosca:
Rita may call the gym the House of Pain, but I call it the House of Truth.  What you are capable of becomes evident right away, no BS.  In the interest of transparency and truth, because this the agreement Rita and I have, I want to confess I have missed my first workout.  It was yesterday.  My work day was a ten hour marathon where a final emergency robbed me of my plan to do a workout right after work.  Instead I was dealing with work emergencies, dramas, budgets, balance sheets and planning.  Then I had to endure a 2 hour commute home (Toronto got named the 2nd worst city in Canada behind Vancouver for longest commute!).  It's all true.  That's why we love the boys at THE EDGE so much!  We need them to keep us entertained while we drive our butts off.

Okay back to the gym.  I will be doubling up today.  I hate missing.  My goal is clear.  Can't mess up but life is what it is.  I will at least be transparent about my shortcomings.  Why wouldn't I?  I will approach all I do with Love Love Love.

Are you with me?

Photo Credit: Kelsey-Lynn Corradetti

Eating Clean is a Life Changer - For Family Too!

Today I have brought to you a truly inspirational message from fat-to-fit girl, Kristi of Inspired Fitness. She used to tip the scales with an extra 85 pounds on her frame, but she fought her way out of it by Eating Clean - and brought her family with her. She has a very special message - and a special offer, too. Take it away Kristi.

Kristi and her Eat-Clean Family!

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions, like you’re breathing, but you’re not truly living.

Nine years ago, that was me — 85 pounds overweight, hopeless, and lost. 

Kristi at her heaviest.

My journey to health began after a long and honest look in the mirror.  I knew that my life and my body was a gift that I could no longer take for granted. I couldn’t waste another day. I was worthy of the same love and attention I had been giving to others, but was withholding from myself. So I set out to make a change.

A few months later, after “lean” microwave dinners failed me and hours on the treadmill left me exhausted and still overweight, I was almost ready to give up. That’s when I met Tosca in the pages of Oxygen magazine.

I headed to the bookstore to pick up a copy of The Eat-Clean Diet, and rushed home to clean out my refrigerator and pantry. Go big or go home was my motto—no baby steps. I knew my life would forever be changed.

When I dove head first into the Eat-Clean lifestyle, I brought my family with me. After just a few weeks, my five-year-old daughter no longer had dark circles under her eyes or trouble focusing, and my husband was feeling healthier and more energetic than ever. I may have been the only one who was overweight, but I was definitely not the only one who had been suffering the consequences of an unhealthy diet. Today, I am now the energetic and happy mother of three healthy children who understand the principals of Eating Clean. Teaching my children by setting a positive and healthy example gives me great joy.

What I set out to learn was how to nourish my body with the right foods, and of course with Eating Clean, I did just that. But one of the greatest lessons I have learned, I also found on the pages of Tosca’s books - the importance of self-respect, self-acceptance and most importantly, self love. Without these, change is temporary. With them, the journey becomes a lifelong, whole-life transformation.

Kristi now. 

Now, as a personal trainer, motivational speaker, and owner of Inspired Fitness, my message is this:

• Nourish your body — the Eat-Clean Diet is the foundation of your physical transformation. I introduce everyone I meet to Tosca’s books and educate them on the principles of Eating Clean.

• Strength training is the way to build on that foundation, so grab those weights!

• Surround yourself with positivity — your thoughts, your choices, your family and friends — it’s the foundation of your whole-life transformation.

• Love yourself completely, for better or worse — you deserve it.

• Make yourself — especially your health and wellness — a top priority so you can give abundantly to others.

Embrace and enjoy life. Start taking care of you and begin your journey. Start a blog, a journal or photo diary to document your experience. Sharing your journey with others will bring purpose, joy and fulfillment to your life. To be inspired is wonderful - to inspire is life changing.

If you feel, like I did, that the road to health and wellness can be overwhelming at times, I invite you to explore my online personal training program — featuring full-body home workouts, healthy eating tools, personal support, and much more — so I can support you on your journey.

And as a special gift for my fellow Tosca followers, when you use the discount code TOSCA to sign up for my Online Fitness plus program between now and July 31st, your first month is just 99 cents!

Thank you, Tosca, for sharing your journey, your wisdom, and your love with us all. You are a beacon of light, and I am honored to be one of the many whose lives you’ve touched.

Tough Love Tuesday - Things I Learned from Bob

Photo Credit: Kelsey-Lynn Corradetti

I have to do this every day with Rita Catolino. Check out more things I learned from Tough Love Bob in my July Oxygen magazine "Raise the Bar" column. 

Long Weekend Protein Popsicle Treats in Action!

Last week I posted my refreshing Protein Smoothie Popsicle recipe from the Eat-Clean Diet Family and Kids book. The response has been amazing! So many members of the Eat-Clean Diet community have made the protein pops and told us how much they love them.

Have you tried the recipe? Please share how it worked out and if you made any tweaks.

You can leave a comment below or reach out on any of these social networks:

- Post a picture on our Eat-Clean Diet Facebook page
- Tweet a picture of it at me @toscareno and @eatcleandiet
- Post the recipe on your blog and link to mine

Your post, tweet or blog could get a shout out from the Eat-Clean Diet team!

Check out these versions from Eat-Clean Diet fans.

Christina's mango banana combination sounds delicious read about it on her blog and I just love the presentation of Marilyn's in the shot glasses. Amacuba flavored hers with Chai instead of vanilla. How creative! Our twitter follower @chicmsfit got her Eat-Clean kiddo involved in fun too.

I can't wait to hear how it turned out for you and if you put your own clean twist on it!

Also don't miss out on our Protein Powder Discount with Sun Warrior Protein and Raw Elements. Get the promo code here! 

Be back Monday!

He & She Eat Clean Share a Recipe

He & She Eat Clean are a marvellous pair of couples who share the magic of Eating Clean while married on their super-fun blog. I asked them to share their story and a delicious recipe with you today. Delicious! Take it away He & She Eat Clean!

For both couples, our Eat Clean journeys started about a year ago. Tiffany spearheaded her and Jim’s transformation and Scott started it with himself and Whitney. Tosca’s books have been with both couples along the way. The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged was the main catalyst for Tiffany’s switch, while Just the Rules has been an invaluable resource for Scott and Whitney. Jim, Tiffany’s husband even read the Eat-Clean Diet for Men book in 1 Day (totally unlike him… he doesn’t really “read” books)!

All four of us love the principles of Eating Clean and the way that it makes us feel. We strive to eat 100% clean each and every day, without sacrificing taste and quality of life. And with Tosca’s wonderful recipes, this is incredibly easy to do! Inspired and revived, we have set our sights on educating each and every person that we meet to join the Eat Clean movement and start giving their body what nature intended! We tackle daily routines and our eating as couples and that’s precisely why we started HeandSheEatClean.com.  It has become a place where we post recipes, educate our readers by talking about important health and fitness topics and encourage and motivate others.

We want to impact every individual we come into contact with just as much as Tosca has impacted our lives – thanks Tosca! We couldn’t continue to help others without the resources you have provided in your books.

Here's one of our favourite recipes to share with you just in time for weekend BBQ time!

Arugula Chicken Burgers
(Makes 4 Servings)

Ingredients
¾ lb chicken breasts, ground
2 roma tomatoes, chopped
¼ c red onion, chopped
½ tsp coarse ground black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ c quick cooking oats
1 cup of arugula
1 small avocado, sliced
4 Ezekiel English muffins, separated

Directions
1.  Mix ground chicken, tomatoes, red onion, black pepper, garlic powder, sea salt and quick cooking oats in a medium-size bowl. Form into 4 equal size patties.
2.  In a skillet or a grill, cook chicken burgers thoroughly, turning to ensure they are cooked throughout. Cook for approximately 12-15 minutes.
3. Toast separated Ezekiel English muffins. Place ¼ cup of arugula on 1 side of English muffin, then add cooked chicken burger patty, followed by avocado slices. Dress your burger accordingly.

The Gang
     – Jim, Tiffany, Scott and Whitney

Why Tosca is on a High-Fat Diet (For Now)

I asked my trainer, Rita Catolino, to clean up some confusion on the high-fat diet thing. Thanks for your unending support. This has been a crazy week! Rita, take it away...

Since releasing some of Tosca’s present diet plan to the public, I have been asked over and over why I have put Tosca on a high-fat diet. Here is a mini explanation, without getting too technical.

Our bodies use carbohydrates (like oats, potatoes, rice, and bread) as energy. The excess carbohydrate intake, that which is not used for energy, is unused calories and thus causes weight gain. Although I have many successful weight-loss clients on a bowl of oats every morning for breakfast, we noticed early on that Tosca was experiencing bloating and heaviness after eating her oats.

After more probing and questions, I decided to take grains out of her diet for the time being, allowing her to refuel from her workouts with sweet potatoes, squash or fruit. This may change in the near future, but so far so good.

Why the high fat you wonder? Well, when we restrict something such as carbohydrates, which provide energy, eventually our energy will fade, cravings will kick in and we will start feeling mentally drained (sound familiar?). Thus, we need to replace the lack of carbohydrates with something else- in this case, fats.

But don’t go running to your local grocery store for some bacon!

The fats in use are healthy fats - animal and plant based.  Egg yolks, fish oil, avocado, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, coconut oil etc. will keep Tosca’s cognitive function going strong (she does have to work too!), as well as keep cravings at bay, provide energy for my grueling workouts and make sure her skin, hair, & nails stay healthy and strong. The higher fat intake allows the body to perform strongly under a high range of demands, while not using protein from lean muscle tissue.

We wouldn’t want to waste all of her hard-earned muscle!

For now, we will continue on this path until Tosca’s body stops producing positive changes.

- Coach Catolino

Tosca's Trainer Takes on Cleanorexia

After the surge of activity on the blog due to yesterday’s discussion on my new eating habits, and this word “cleanorexia” Rita, my trainer, felt compelled to make a statement. Below is a guest blog from Rita Catolino. Thank you for the outpouring of support.

Photo Credit: Kelsey-Lynn Corradetti

I feel compelled to write this in response to yesterday’s events that lead to Tosca having to explain herself on video to her followers.

I knew from the beginning that taking on Tosca as my client would be very fulfilling, challenging and exciting to say the least.  Between you and me I didn’t expect that Tosca would be as diligent and focused as she is. Don’t get me wrong, I knew she would work, and work hard she does.  I assumed, that running a family of women, losing your best friend, husband and trainer, taking over as CEO of a huge company and finding time to blog, make guest appearances and write articles would consume all of Tosca’s time, leaving little or no time for the gym, meal prep and the mental focus needed when preparing for a competition.  I KNEW she could do it, or I would have never taken her on. But, I didn’t expect her to follow every rep, step and breathe with me.  She is definitely the ideal client.  She wants this and is willing to make the sacrifices, time commitment and let me lead her with an open heart and utmost trust.  Thank you, Tosca.

Yesterday Tosca posted a food journal of what she ate on July 3^rd.  The response, negative by some, was overwhelming.  NO, this is not what she eats every day.  Yes, she had a sweet potato the night before, and a lot more protein.   Tosca writes me her food journals, and I write back with suggestions and explanations of why she should add more fat and protein, or start her day with a solid meal instead of a shake.  Or I tell her how yummy that salad sounds and make one myself. I may tell her why she needs to add a few more egg whites to her morning snack.  Yes, you heard it here first, Tosca Reno is not perfect.  She is struggling more with the nutrition aspect then the physical challenge of the weights.  The latter seems to be her therapy, while the food seems to be her foe. It doesn’t seem right coming from the Queen of The Eat Clean Diet, does it? NO, but neither is losing your soul mate, best friend and trainer.

Stress, emotions and death are handled differently by all.  Some overindulge in food (ever eaten the whole litre of ice cream out of the tub while weeping over a tragedy?) Others indulge in alcohol, drugs or meds to numb the pain.  Many forget to eat. Others cannot swallow without pain.  Tosca falls in the last category.   I am surprised how much she is actually eating, and how far she has come in the past 2 weeks.  Think of what she has been through, where she is, and where she is going.   This is not a typical contest preparation, this is not a typical woman and this is certainly not your typical situation.  We will not start depleting Tosca for a competition that is 3 months away.  We are doing the opposite right now- adding food. 

As for her training, her athletic body has started to plateau earlier then I had planned which means, program change! Starting this week, I have Tosca on a more detailed program, with less sets, reps and more weight and rest.  I know her body will respond nicely to it.  I’m eager to see the weekly changes and progress that she makes. 

As a married women of 10 years myself, I have tried to put myself in Tosca’s shoes when I took on this challenge as coach.  Would I be able to prepare, eat, and train like a champion if this were me? Or would I want to bury my head in my pillow?  I don’t know. I know that every minute is a struggle for Tosca, and the training and structure is her therapy now.  We are working together to find what is right for her right now and appreciate all of the support as we venture on this journey together.

 

Contest Check-In: Cleanorexia

Am I really a Cleanorexic? In light of today's reaction to my daily food plan diary on the Tosca Reno Facebook Fanpage I thought I post a quick video response to the commentary.

My Food Dairy July 3rd, submitted to Rita Catolino

July 1st Canada Day Weekend!

I got my hair colored on Saturday. 

 

One of the nicest things about this Canada Day long weekend was having the chance to finally relax.  Things in my world have been uber busy so I didn't plan a thing on purpose.  My biggest triumph was managing to sleep in until 8 o'clock am for three days in a row!  That is a big deal for me as I have not been able to sleep past 5:30 am lately.  The weather was perfect so I sat outside with my family and lounged in the sun, finishing the first book in The 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy.  My brother Ron and has family came up from Michigan and we enjoyed clean meals like roasted corn, barbecued chicken, Spirooli salad, Brussels Sprouts salad and artisanal venison sausage from Seed to Sausage (my new favorite charcuterie).  My sister-in-law Tammy, you may remember her from the Sisters in Speed, had fantastic gossip sessions and I played with my nephews Ryan and Reid, giving them a good laugh when I fell in the swamp.  It was all about family and I am truly blessed and grateful for mine.

 I also trained upper body on Sunday, and lower body today.

Dara Torres Swims!

Dara & I exchange books at her cover shoot.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

Last year Oxygen magazine had the fabulous Dara Torres on its March 2011 cover. I was so thrilled to be at the shoot that day & to get the opportunity to interview Dara. I find inspiration in women like her that share the same fire and drive to succeed in our sports regardless of age.



Let's cheer her on today as she competes in the 50-meter freestyle in Omaha at the Olympic Trials!