Wow it was a bumper packed 2015. Towards the end, I was seriously burnt out, so I really enjoyed taking time off recharge my batteries and spend time with my family. No technology and no work. Thanks for hanging in there while I was away.

The last 2 weeks involved lots of sunshine, surfing, reading, swimming and cuddle time with Jade and Saul. The quiet gave me tons of time to think about the game plan for the New Year.

And I am so excited for 2016 and honored to have you join me on this journey. There is lots of exciting stuff like a cooking safari in South Africa in November, a cookbook collaboration and it goes without saying tons of new daily recipes and videos.

And for my LA students there will even be a few classes (sorry I flaked on you last year). I promise to make it up to you.

I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions. Why deal with the inevitable fact that I will break them? So my new year’s resolution has always been, to make no resolutions.

Instead I strive for balance. My goal is to be happy. And that means saying no to things and people that stress me, leaving time for play and understanding I am only one person. I can only do so much. And it is totally okay to need some alone time just for me and to finish it tomorrow.

I think health and wellness is based as much on your mindset as what you eat and do. I have never believed in extreme diets and cleanses or limiting entire food groups. Crazy workouts that leave me broken and sore and unwilling to return to the gym till the following year are not my style.

So heading into the New Year I thought I would share a few things I have learned about staying in shape, being healthy and balanced. And most of all how to look at it as a lifestyle rather than a quick fix.

For those unfamiliar with my philosophy. I have always believed abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. It’s 70% diet and 30% exercise. And the key to success is to cook most of the meals you eat.

When I travel I do indulge and eat out, but I find that the food is always loaded with salt, buttery sauces, sugar and high calorie dressings. My body immediately starts to retain water and I start craving salty, sugary and fatty foods. As soon as I get back to my kitchen, I find my food lacking salt and sugar, and it takes a while for my taste buds to adjust.

I am not saying don’t eat out, but wherever possible, get into the kitchen and start cooking for yourself and your family. My recipes are so quick and simple and they are loaded with fresh ingredients. This has always been my top secret to success. Get in shape by cooking it off….

As far as exercise goes I have recently found such a helpful tool. It is something I would recommend you get. This is not a sponsored post so I am saying this because I love it. It’s the Fitbit HR and it counts steps I take each day. With it you can work out anytime, anywhere and you don’t need any equipment or gym memberships.

It sets a goal of 10,000 steps per day. And it really helped me in the last quarter of the year ,when I was doing so much work on the website, that by the end of the day I had only walked 300 steps. Basically to and from the bathroom and coffee machine. Yuuuuuck!!!!

I would be so disgusted at how inactive I was, that it would motivate me to walk around the neighborhood or head to the gym and walk on the treadmill at a moderate pace. The thing I didn’t expect was that this low intensity exercise would burn calories without spiking my hunger the way a strenuous workout did.

And my legs and core were toning and I wasn’t getting that achey back one gets from hours on the computer. The best part is it is all the equipment you will need and housework, errands and running around town all count toward the 10,000 steps.

That said I am still a yogi, so I am hoping to make it to the mat a lot more this year. I am going to try and fit in 1 to 2 low intensity yoga classes, 1 pilates class and 30 minutes in the pool swimming laps each week. And on the days I don’t manage that, there is always the 10,000 steps. This is my ideal training program.

As far as my eating program I live by the 80/20 rule. Try stick to healthy eating 80% of the time but enjoy the other 20%. It’s more about moderation and portion size.

A typical day for me involves

• Breakfast : A double expresso and a Quest Protein Bar or Greek Yoghurt with honey and Museli or a Kale, Berry and Protein Powder Smoothie
• Snack : Apple or handful of almonds
• Lunch : Salad with any fruits & veggies, a cup of lean protein, avocado, olive oil & balsamic or a tray of sushi
• Mid afternoon: Glass of red wine and handful of salt and vinegar chips (my weekness)
• Dinner: whatever I am making and variety is key… a big salad and veggies with meat or chicken or fish or pasta/pizza/sandwich
• After dinner snack: 2 blocks dark chocolate
• 3 liters of water a day

So there it is. The lifestyle plan that has worked for me. I never feel hungry, deprived or unsatisfied and it is something I know I can maintain for decades to come.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Wishing you a new year filled with magic, wonder, exciting adventures, dreams realized, special people, balance, good health and lots of happy laugh out loud fun

xxx Chef MM