Eat Like An Actor

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E

ver wonder how actors get fit and how they maintain their weight in between roles? Take a trip with me to the Royal Theater in New York City. I have a birthday surprise for my friend Chad Carpenter who is preparing for his next role. Will he be able to resist my extra “rich” Devil’s Food Cake that I just baked for him?

Chad’s Tips

• Never ignore cravings, just find the healthier solution like choosing whole grains
• Make it lean whenever possible - if you have to have that burger choose turkey or lean ground beef
• Skip the mayo and use mustard instead
• Figure out when your snacking “danger zone” is and have a healthier snack ready in your fridge

Jen’s Tips

• Skinny-fy your favorite dish, figure out how to make it healthier
• Marinate it with low-fat ingredients, like 1% buttermilk, to make it tasty and tender
• Bake it instead of frying - it could mean inches off your waistline

Recipes Covered in Segment

• Healthy Buttermilk Chicken Fingers
• Devil’s Food Cake with Chocolate Sour Cream Icing
• Sweet Potato Fries

Suggested Recipes

• Buttermilk Ice Cream
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Mac and Cheese

Did you know that the tea many celebrities drink to detox and stay fit is easy to make at home? The idea of a “master cleanse”, as Hollywood has come to call it, may seem like some new-age fad, but it’s actually been around for hundreds of years. While I don’t recommend fasting, drinking this tea can certainly curb cravings. When I make mine at home, I substitute agave for the maple syrup. When you feel the onset of a snack attack, it’s always a good idea to reach for a drink, such as soothing tea. Not only will the agni tea help to hydrate and satiate you, but it will also help to keep your waistline in check.

Traditional Agni Tea

Ingredients

1 quart water
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 cup chopped ginger root
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Juice of ½ lime or lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons sweetener, such as agave, maple syrup or honey

Directions

Bring water, pepper, ginger and salt to a boil. Boil for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Add the lemon or lime juice and the sweetener. Do not boil the juice or sweetener.