YES, that is me doing a pull up – the results of 12 grueling weeks working out with the best personal trainer I know. I met Ray 10 years ago as I was embarking on shooting a wedding special. Getting married seemed so confusing the only way my husband and I knew how to navigate it was by producing a show about it! Ray trained me for 7 weeks, I lost 4% body fat and was in the best shape of my life. Watch the video here (scroll forward to 1:55). AND CHECK OUT HIS HAIR!!!!

And a decade later he has his very own boutique gym. Ray, I am proud and privileged to have you in my life. And the gift you gave me and my Mamas makes you the most generous man I know! I love you, Ray Ray!!!  Only you could push me this far:

It’s hard to believe that Bootcamp is over. Did the 12 weeks fly by or did they take forever? I can only liken it to watching your kids grow. The days can be long, but time still flies. So what did I get out of this except for the 12 pounds & 5% body fat lost?

I now know that I’m a Warrior. Let’s define the word, shall we?

war·ri·or

[wawr-ee-er, wawr-yer, wor-ee-er, wor-yer]

a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness.

Yep, that’s me!

Bootcamp got all of the Mamas into an insanely focused zone, where making our well-being was not a choice but the task at hand. And what I have realized is that I can do this while still living the rest of my life. Still loving my husband, while still loving my kids, while still taking care of the kazillion things a Mom has to do on a daily basis. And like Lisa pointed out at the onset, if the laundry does’t get done once in a while WHO CARES!!! I don’t, that’s who! Below, me attacking the “speed skate”- proves you need zero fitness equipment to get into fierce shape. Just the will.

I’ve also learned that having a support group makes all the difference. I cherished every moment of grunting through the torture with the toughest team of moms, heck, of women, I know. Their dedication to this experience was unparalleled and early morning existential chats about life and motherhood with Marina in the fly Mommy-mobile, my Traverse was just one more perk of the process. I reunited with some old buddies of mine from the club days and most of all have new friends that I will surely have forever. Alicia, Natasha, Crystal, Tiffanie, Marina and Jen: I love you all and thanks for embarking on this crazy plan I put together.

As of today, Sunday January 29, we have created a thread of 2,786 messages on facebook between Ray, Lisa, The Mamas and myself. You see, I group messaged them at the onset, and the conversation has been ongoing ever since full of waaaaaaay too much TMI!!! Too TMI to share and sill remain a family show, sorry! The generous Folks @ NYSC pitched in with free 3 month memberships for the gals and we each got a personal training session once a week. Here is me boxing mine. Thanks John!!

The good news is that The Bootcmap Mamas will live on. I have decided when my show re-debuts on a new network in April (more info to come) – I will feature a fabulous NYC fitness story and the Mamas will tag along!  First up is Brooklyn Boulders this coming Saturday where Lisa will embark on a battle of the sexes and attempt to beat this guy up the toughest climb. Hey, even Lisa needs a challenge every once in a while! LISA, MEET ALONZO, ALONZO, MEET LISA. (CAN U SAY HAAAAWT!)

Now last but certainly not least, I have to bow down to our Princess Warrior. When I came up with the plan, I was just getting to know Lisa. After her spin class one day she told me about a cool place her daughter Nicole worked at, and thought it might be a good story for the show. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese had opened up on Broadway. I covered it in this episode (scroll to 20:33).

Then I asked her to tag along with me and Marina to an outdoor art installation up in Garrison later that day. Afterwards, at my house she said she wanted to do bootcamp with us. I told her if I put her in the group and on tv as a mom who needed to get back in shape, people would hate me and they would hate her because she has NOTHING to lose. We agreed she could be our guide and assist us with nutrition.

But she has done way more than that which brings me to an interesting conclusion: Ray, Dr. Bob and Lisa all have an incredible characteristic in common. They are truly great motivators, yet they don’t judge. If you falter they are there to pick you back up, no questions asked. They are our trifecta of unconditional love. Even typing this is making me teary eyed.

Lisa, you are an incredible inspiration and have made an ever-lasting impression on my life. And…YOU ARE TOTALLY INSANE!!!! Which I love of course. Today at Renegade Insanity, my eldest son played correspondent.

Another perk of the process is that I have gotten to know so many more Mamas! Mamas who kick ass and take names! They all work out at my local gym and are as crazy as I am. Just when you thought the suburban mom next to you was a boring drone, think again. She could be just as hilariously insane as you are! These gals certainly are. My Post-Spin Renegade Botocamp Mamas!

I still have a ways to go to get back in true fighting form, but now I hold the keys in hand, the tools to make it happen. This summer I’ll be strutting my stuff in a bikini – looking just as good as I did on my wedding day and by 2013 Alicia will be wearing my wedding dress….which brings me to…..some final words from the girls.

Alicia has shooed the haters away, lost 33 pounds and at 5′3″ that makes a HUGE difference. PLUS SHE ASKED ME TO BE IN HER WEDDING PARTY!!! WOOOO!!! Can you say My-Big-I-Used-To-Be-Fat-Latino-Wedding???

Crystal has lost 36 pounds and 9 INCHES OFF HER WAIST ALONE!!!!!!

Tiffanie still feels defeated even though she has shed 11 pounds off of her tiny frame! YOU LOOK GREAT!

Marina’s empowered, realizing that working out and making good food choices isn’t such a big deal. In fact, it is easy compared to what life can throw at you.

And Natasha, well, all I can say is she is going to look FIERCE in her teensy weensie feathery costume at Carnival. During these 12 weeks she has gone from a size 14 to a SIZE 8!!!!! Plus she will be working out with Ray vis skype! LOVE IT!

C’mon join the crusade! Fight the good fight! Fight to get fit! WE DID IT AND SO CAN YOU!! xos t

And now a final note from Dr. Bob

As you conclude this phase of the pre baby bootcamp, look back over the past 12 weeks and allow yourself to feel a deep sense of pride both for making the commitment  and for all you’ve accomplished.Whether your goals were modest or ambitious the fact that you embraced challenges, worked hard, and accomplished something worthwhile is what is most important.Realize that you’ve given yourself a gift-that despite the demands of ministering to a newborn-you’ve found a way to take care of yourself as well. Taking good care of yourself -being self nurturing-allows you to take good care of others. My hope is that you will continue on this path and to continue to reap the benefits of your hard work.

Bob! WE ARE SOOOO ON IT! xo t

Firstly, please note above picture is of my belly while SITTING DOWN! We ladies know that when you stand up you can suck in it, notsomuch when seated. My jiggly bits are a little less jiggly and my flab suit is beginning to shed. Almost 4 months after the birth of this incredible creature pictured below, pregnancy pants are a thing of the past. Muffin tops are not. But I’m working on that!

This week, I had a truly shocking moment. I was on the treadmill doing uphill sprints (yes- Lisa lives in my head) when I looked over to the dreaded mirrored wall to the right. I could not believe what I saw. I did a double take as if it were a dream. My butt looked GOOD! It was the first time since we embarked on this crazy journey that I did not wince while looking at my backside (or shudder or had the urge to vomit). Now, instead I was checking myself out and Baby liked what she was seeing!

I mean, there is still a butt on top of my butt that is being requested to evacuate the premises, but the butt on the bottom…NOT BAD! I tapped my fellow Mama next to me and urged Marina to check out my butt, too! She chimed in dryly, “So, what your saying to me is that you’d do yourself.” Heck, yeah!  We then decided my native American name would be Four Cheek. Hopefully by spring, it will be She Who Has Two Cheeks.

I did not have my camera handy so I had to re-enact the moment the next day, and got some pretty interesting looks as I posed on the treadmill as if in mid-climb. The folks at NYSC already think I’m crazy, and as we all know by now, I have no shame!

And crazy is what I was after a 60 minute spin class. I have been noticing my shoulders are starting to look fly and it is only motivating me further. After Dr. Bob’s AMAZING  class (click here for words of wisdom and motivation!), I rallied a bunch of the spinners to come do planks with me. So, six Mamas and one Papa strong we hit the mats (Even if Scott, Stacey & Debbie wussed out after 3 poses!!! YES I’M CALLING YOU OUT!). Punching planks, Mountain Climbers, Elbow planks, we did 10 variations for a minute a piece. By the end my arms were shaking and my shoulders felt like they may fall off, but in a good way. Somehow if I don’t feel like I’ve been to Hell and back during a workout, I’m not satisfied. This is me with the triumphant gals who FINISHED! Kristen and some other really nice gal who spins with us…but I don’t know her name!!!!

But while we are on it, let’s get a better look at my shoulders…..Yes, I am gloating slightly, but I have earned it!!!!! Dont’ hate the player, people…..They almost look as good as when my husband and I shot our first Travel show in Baja….waaaaayyy back int he day! A time when I did not think twice about wearing a bikini on TV.

All in all it was a pretty good week. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see Ray @ PedalNYC. Between snowstorms, work obligations and a son who is experiencing some serious separation anxiety (think he has caught on that the baby is staying for good), there were no Breakfast Boy Parties with Daddy this week at my house (the pictured below is an example of what I leave for my eldest son as I sneak out of the house @ 5am with my youngest – have breast milk, will travel!).

I miss my RAY! Lisa on the other hand has been sending me pictures of her meals. This one was titled “Meal 4: before the train so I don’t kill someone”. Hilarious. Hilarious because we all know how crazy one (ok, she!) can get if one (she) is starving, but also hilarious that this is a “meal”.  She calls this “steak”. I call it nuts and and an apple! (luv ya, girl!)

I had one more personal victory this week. Even though I was pretty much on my own, I realized Hey, I can do this on my own! I know that the Mamas and me will be friends until the end, supporting each other, rooting each other on, but at the end of the day it is my responsibility and mine alone. Only I can make it happen. And knowing that I can is truly empowering. Next Saturday will be our very last Bootcamp and we hope you will join us! Here is a group photo from the week before last (last Saturday was a snow day!!)

Let’s check in with my Mamas!! I’m going to post Marina’s on my page because it made me well up. She is the one with whom I shared this crazy idea while still preggers. Hatching an utterly insane plan was the only way I was going to ensure I got off my butt to do it. She was supporter #1!

Homage
by Marina Stenou

What do you do when you’re halfway to your goal weight and counting down the days till the end of mama bootcamp? Well, if you’re me, you wrestle down a major sinus infection, take on a LOT more responsibility at work and totally fall off the workout wagon. Yup, this penultimate week of mama bootcamp has me staring down some serious bandwidth limitations. On the positive front my eating habits seem to be almost in the final state of complete reformation. Despite all the stress on the work front and insane schedule, pulling 12-14 hour days in the office, I only dipped into the M&Ms and had a Three Musketeers bar for dinner but once last week.

So, instead of lamenting the sad state of my personal limitations I’d like to talk about something that is amazing and worthy of celebrating, not only this week but every week…The other mamas!

Let’s start with the mama who started it all…Toni! We know her, we love her, she is our fearless, crazy, ready for anything leader. And thank goodness for that…because were it not for her grand ideas, lack of filters, TMI moments and absolute ‘can do’ attitude none of us would even know each other. She is the glue that keeps it all together. She is the golden frame of our ever-shrinking picture of sisterhood, mama-ness and all around kick-assing on this journey. Dang, she is the reason we all piled into the Chevy Traverse, found Mr. Ray and PedalNYC, rocked NYSC and Weight Watchers in the first place. Thank you, mama Toni! We love you…

And my other mamas in-so-much-better-looking arms, Alicia, Crystal, Jen, Natasha and Tiffanie, you are my inspiration and my rock. When one of us is down, there’s always someone there to pick up the slack, send a positive message and lend a supportive ear…sometimes even dole out some tough love. I am amazed at how quickly and easily we all became a unit. As different and strong as we each are, we have each other’s backs. You have each made this journey such a pleasure. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, encouragement, acceptance and pure mama love! You all are amazing!

Last, but certainly not least, our tribe’s leaders, Mr. Ray, Lisa and Dr. Bob. Such inspirations and role models! Thank you for keeping us honest, guiding without judging. Empowering us to do more than we thought we could. Thank you is not enough, but hey, it’s a blog post so…

The mamas have been on one serious adventure, my friends. From riding shot gun in the Traverse, to working the TRX, to eating pavement on Riverside Drive. It’s been incredible. Many have joined us, many have celebrated our small personal victories with us…but it us, the Bootcamp Mamas, who have been transformed through the incredible faith and guidance of our core team. The journey has just begun, and I for one, am so much the richer for getting to know each and everyone of the individuals who have been with me on it from the start. Thank you!!!

Marina

Now, onto other Bootcamp News….

Crystal had a similar experienced to one that I had this week. Coincidence? I think not! I had stopped eating red meat and I made the grave error of doing so this week and my body had a fit! Did not sleep a wink as the steak swished in my belly. Not pretty!

Alicia has a new long term goal. Down 25lbs, there is a certain dress of mine that I have offered to her to wear in 2013. Somebody’s sporting a major rock on her finger! And I better be invited! xo

Tiffanie is having to make the toughest choice a mother can face. Sleep or Exercise???? See how she is fairing.

Natasha – she has changed and her friends haven’t. Interesting challenge faces her as she heads to Trinidad for Carnival.

]]> http://www.tonionny.com/my-butt-looks-good/feed 0 http://www.tonionny.com/loseit http://www.tonionny.com/loseit#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:46:20 +0000 admin http://www.tonionny.com/?p=4944

I must admit, last week I was scared. Very scared. Scared of the new rules. But as Dr. Bob tells me weekly in his spin class…You have to get out of your comfort zone to see real change. Lisa and Ray tightened the reigns….Mamas were going hardcore and being that I’m team captain, I had to commit. I had no choice (which is the whole reason I concocted this crazy plan to begin with!) Let us review:

Rule #1

No eating after 7

As much as I love and cherish every moment with my 2 kids, let’s be honest here, what mom doesn’t also relish the moment everyone is down for the count? Pre-Bootcamp, my husband and I would eat around 8pm when we could relax. 7pm seemed scary. 7-8 was happy hour, our alone grown up time, which brings me to….

Rule #2

No alcohol

My husband and I enjoy wine. And we really enjoy really good wine. On most Saturday nights you will find us in the kitchen with a bunch of friends, cooking while drinking it. When we decided to move to the sticks, we immediately re-did the kitchen to accommodate our love of entertaining and eating!

But let’s face it, after a glass of Borolo, I want to strip off all my clothes and roll myself on the cheese platter. Cover every inch of my jiggly bits with brie, camembert and smoked gorgonzola then lick it off myself like some mad dog in heat. After 2 glasses of Pinot, I want to cannonball into the porcini and pecorino risotto and after 3 glasses of prosecco? Well, let me just writhe my way into a giant rosemary foccacia and gorge myself to death.

Let me be clear, I do not often give into these temptations, but they do play out constantly in my head. Besides, who wouldn’t want to sit by the pot belly stove sipping on this?

Rule #3 (The Double Whammy)

No bread. No pasta

WHAT? No pasta?? No bread?? A real Italian can not survive without those basic fundamental culinary necessities. Lisa (who despite her last name surely is not actually italian- I think she is really a robot!!)  has gone raving mad in my opinion cue: her evil laugh. But as I gazed longingly at her rock hard abs and glutes yeah – I was checking out her butt! in her renegade Insanity on Monday, I thought, well, she probably knows what she is talking about.

I had no choice, Unless I renamed my show, I had to do it. So, I told Mario, I needed my space. My refuge? We will make up one day over his Spaghetti Carbonara @ Babbo.

I was shocked by what happened. Obeying each rule to the T, in 6 short days, I lost 3 pounds. THREE POUNDS! Did you hear me??? THREE POUNDS!

AND I did not lose my milk. This process has been a struggle for me because I’m still nursing, I have to be careful to give my body what it needs to make sure my little Yoda gets what he needs. When I told Lisa I wanted to munch on his little toes, she responded approvingly, “That’s a protein!”

I have been losing body fat (about 5% now) but not dropping weight like I would like to. In 8 weeks I was only down 7lbs. Crystal is down almost 30 pounds!!! Natasha is the incredibly shrinking Mama. Marina has reached her halfway point at 15 pounds. Tiffanie, despite her complaining and Debbie-downer attitude, is down 10! And Alicia – the dark horse – has kept haters at bay and has gone down from a size 20 to a 16!

And now finally I felt like part of the club – the club I created. In less than a week we brought the tally up to 10lb. Lisa said I may be able to go down 10-15lbs in 4 weeks and I thought NO WAY. I now say, YES WAY. Note: I’m going to have myself tested for Gluten allergy this week. Will report the results as soon as they are in.

The exit of alcohol was actually a relief. Being that the holidays were hosted chez moi and with tons of relatives and tons of chaos, much merriment ensued. My new beverage of choice, Water with Lemon and Stevia. When I used to go my fave fasting spa in Palm Desert, this is what we drank. Please note: never consume castor oil more than 1.5 hours before you high colonic. But I digress….

Now my husband and I eat with our eldest boy at 6pm. I do not deprive them of yummy carbs, we still take him out for pizza (see below- PS he LIKES broccoli on his pizza, thankyouverymuch) but my husband usually joins me in my food choice (ok, not at the pizza joint)– which makes it easier. He is getting back in his skinny jeans too!

But I believe the biggest assist has been saying goodbye to gluten (pictured below).

A reporter at heart, I began to investigate. Gluten-free has become such a buzz word. And I wanted to know why. What exactly is Gluten for starters? Plenty of people have wheat allergies that are serious – life threatening,. In fact one of my high school buddies Cybele’s kid had such a bad allergy that she ended up penning a dessert cookbook for the Gluten adverse. But interestingly, according to sources, even if you have a mild allergy, gluten will cause you to gain in the middle and make it virtually impossible to shed the spare tire no matter how much exercise and dieting you do. I’m still eating brown rice (in proper proportions 1/2 cup with a protein meal) and sweet potatoes (photo, below, hubby’s recipe at bottom of post). I can live with this until I reach my goal.

Now if only I could get on board with Lisa’s idea of “steak”. What’s “steak” you ask? An apple and a handful of almonds. See!! I told you! She is crazy. But that’s the kind of crazy I love!!!

As my friend Randy says, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”. WORD! Now compare the picture below with the one above. That’s what 9 weeks can do! I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way. And this whole support group concept – of which I was NOT a fan before this experiment – is a key to my success. Accountability, peeps. Let’s make that THE word of 2012!!

If I can do it, you can, too! 1st step? Get on board with the Bootcamp Mamas and join us for a complimentary Ray torture sessions (luv u!) @ PedalNYC for FREE BOOTCAMP SATURDAYS! C’mon, you know you want to!!!!

But the real secret of success is to be prepared. When I decided to try gluten-free, I made sure to stock up on snackables to help me get through moments of weakness…. almonds, rice cakes, dried fruit. and have them with you always. Even when I hit the road in the handy dandy Traverse. (For info on the latest deals on my awesome mom-mobile – click here.)

Alicia is on board, she even sent me this useful link to help with recipes, etc. After all she is headed to Vegas next month to see her all time fave band Motley Crue. Alicia, you rock and so do all my Mamas! xo t

Trace’s Baked Sweet Potatoes Fries

Toss cut up potatoes with 1 teaspoon olive oil, cinnamon, cayenne, garam masala.

Bake at 400 for 35 minutes. Eat!

Ok, so what do you get when you take a whole bunch of my family and put them under one roof around the holidays? The boxing gloves never quite come into play, but you can bet on a whole lotta chaos and a whole lotta food.

My family lives to eat, we are Italian after all. But we take it to a new level. Everything revolves around food, what to make, how to make it, where to get the best ingredients. Sweets are not our thing, but sopressata, mozzarella, pasta, lasagna, prosciutto, meatballs…well, you get the idea.

Being that I broke up with all of the aforementioned items over 8 weeks ago, I was fearful of what would happen. I have been fighting hard, and I don’t like to lose (FYI:  Ray’s been upping his game @ PedalNYC and I have been taking it out on my NYSC trainer during our weekly boxing sessions).

This is what my family had for lunch, pictured below, on the day they arrived while I went to the gym and had a protein shake instead.

But I’ll admit it, fresh pappardelle is my kryptonite. Toss in a glass of wine (or 2) and forgettaboutit! And that my friends, was exactly what was on the menu. Lucky for me, days earlier my inner Lisa kicked in.

I decided that I would prep a high fiber veggie lasagna to secure a safety net for myself and Mama Marina whose family comes to our house for Christmas. I’ll get to that in a second, but first feast your eyes on this:

Ever since my husband and I went to Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill in Coldspring, we have been hooked on one dish: Pappardelle with Rabbit Ragu. And even thought the thought of bunnies in my food is a major turnoff (I was a vegetarian for about 6 years!), I have to admit it is completely and utterly delish.

Now, we happen to have a farm nearby, Hemlock Hill, and being that everyone wanted to go (my parents are “city folk”), we piled into my handy dandy Traverse (speaking of my Chevy, “like” them on Facebook and you could win a prepaid $2012 card to start of the New Year right!).

While Nonna and my husband took our eldest son to check out the cows and the pigs, Papa and I (with baby in Bjorn) ordered up the meat (which by the way is a lean meat) and I spent a day cooking (as captured by my husband on his GoPro).

When the recipe calls for Pinot Noir specifically, you know it’s no joke. I did have a very small helping, probably about 4 ribbons of pasta and a reasonable amount of sauce. And I was satisfied (unlike last year when I scarfed down 2 giant bowls). Then I gorged myself with little to zero guilt on this:

I’ll share the recipe even though I kinda made it up and it works with any veggies you may have in your fridge – but the most important component is the pasta. I mail order it. It’s called Fiber Gourmet (FYI: they are NOT a sponsor of my show, or my site…just love ‘em!!) and each serving has forty per cent fewer calories (130), 18g of fiber, and 6 g of protein making it a 2pt per portion on ol’ Weight Watchers. HOLLAH!

I sliced up zucchini, portobellos and eggplant (peeled it first) for layering. I fried up some garlic in olive oil (2 tsp=2 points!). Added a couple of cans of San Marzano tomatoes (pureed), a pinch of salt, black pepper, and about 2 red bell peppers. I didn’t reduce the sauce much because the lasagna sheets cook while baking so you need a runny sauce.

For the ricotta mixture I used one non fat and one low fat ricotta, egg whites, 2 boxes of frozen spinach (thawed and drained) and a little salt. I wanted to throw in a cup of Pecorino Romano, but I didn’t.

Then you just layer like you would a regular lasagna, adding some extra sauce for the lasagna sheets to absorb. I made a big one for Christmas, and 2 small ones in loaf pans. One for my folks to take home and one for Lisa who came by on Christmas eve (with a crazy goodie basket including everything from Maker’s Mark to matching bear slippers for my boys).

Now, with the holidays in full effect, the Mamas a week off…not off of training but off of blogging. We will all be back ready to KICK SOME BUTT next week. And I am very proud to announce I lost another 1.5lbs over the past week. I’m on a roll (but just say NO to the bread basket)! And if you want to join us, then come out to meet us on Saturday…..and it’s free for the next 4 weeks!

This week was brutal. Whenever we work out inside, I think, Oh this will be so much easier. Scratch that. Ray was in rare form and tougher than usual. We did countless rounds of burpees, perhaps my least favorite exercise on the planet. Am I praising Jesus or doing burpees? BOTH!!!

Then Ray-Ray The Torture Master put us on a cardio circuit that killed. But as Dr. Bob notes, you have to embrace the pain!

We all ended up with rugburn from these totally insane elbow plank pushups.  Lisa had actually introduced them to me before she volunteered to teach an impromptu Insanity class for some of her loyal Westchester peeps (which lives up to its name). I even had a video of Lisa demontraitng it but then my flipcamera BROKE!!! arggg….but here is an example I found on Youtoube.

Now, this may not seem challenging to those who have 15% body fat (like Princess Warrior) but for us mere mortals, all I can say is Holy Cannoli!!! Man, I love cannolis….Ever have a S’mores cannoli? Ah, but I digress….

This week I decided to add the treadmill to my rounds of cardio. Back in the skinny day, I would run 4 miles, no problemo…I’d wake up before work, run to the promenade and back. Feeling refreshed and invigorated, hop in the shower, lotion up my totally taut bod, put on my seriously skinny jeans and sashay out the door (with a hair toss, no less).

Ok, well, let me just say, I’ve reunited with running, and it does not “feel so good”. All the jiggly bits got seriously peeved, and in – what I believe to be  - a united effort of cellulose solidarity, attempted to thrust me right off the belt. It was not pretty people, neither was the seriously unflattering side view provided by the floor to ceiling mirror on my right (and all the flab that seemed to move up and down in slow-motion).  Note to self: invent Spanx-like workout gear.

Huffing and puffing, I was so drenched in sweat that no one could tell that my milk had let down. 20 minutes later driving home, I was still perspiring profusely as evidenced by yet another highly unflattering pic.

And I must admit that the BFS (pictured left) is not getting much easier. Although I did make it through an hour straight. This is what 200 flights of stairs looks like (pictured below). And the fact that I have my Invisalign braces in, only adds to the uncomplimentary nature of this shot, giving me an Austin Powers-esque edge. Not cute. *Wince*

Week 4 proved a tough week for the Mamas – do yourself a favor and check in with them. You will find tales of inspiration plus they are pretty funny! Tiffanie’s work schedule got switched up on her and was embarking on an 16 hour round trip road trip with toddler (and no junk food), Crystal lost 7 pounds, but ended up in the ER. Marina’s middle is whittling but she is doing battle with both the “editor living in her head” and a work breakfast buffet, Natasha is down almost 10lbs, preaching the Pedal way but still puffing away (Girl, wassup with that???), and Alicia was faced with haters who tried to derail her path. Poo on them. She has lost 15lbs!

When you make a life change some people will be made uncomfortable by it. Most people fear change. I, however, love it. Need it. Thrive on it. So when Alicia’s colleagues tried to bully her out of Bootcamp by making her feel like she wasn’t succeeding (and didn’t have the will power to stick to it), it was all I could do not to confront them. But part of change is being able to fight your own battles. And Alicia succeeded. Gold stars for all the Mamas! Now, bring on Week 5!

And a big thanks to Lisa our Princess Warrior/Sherpa who schlepped all of our stuff (and my baby!) as Ray tortured us yet again in our open Saturday Bootcamp session! We had a great turnout, some friends, some viewers, Natasha even brought her son and his two friends. Those boys walked in with that “We’ve got this” attitude and left with a new found respect for the Mamas! But let me add, at the risk of sounding sentimental, that I am so happy I put this group of crazy ladies together! We are in constant conversation on Facebook – helping and humoring one another as we take this journey together.

Ok, so, I find myself on the train the other day with Il Bambino. Was meeting a dear friend for lunch at Michael Jordan’s for my last indulgence in red meat before I started this crazy Mommy Boot camp. Running late as usual, I could not get the baby to eat before we left, so naturally, as soon as we got on Metro North, he started rocking his head back and forth, lips pursed in a pucker in search of milk supply. Now, I don’t bother bringing bottles when I’ve got my breasts, besides I’ve been hording my extra supply and freezing for the imminent time that daycare begins. So, I popped one out and he went to town

That’s when I see an old conductor friend, George. I hadn’t seen in a long time. (Being that I have my awesome Chevy I hardly ever take the train anymore) and as he was taking the tickets of passengers in front of me, he waived and mouthed “Wow! Great to see you”. I love the conductors on Metro North. They watched me at PIX, then at Fox and are big supporters of my little show and I must say, it is nice to get feedback 1st hand of what we put on the air.

But as he approached my seat, realizing one of ‘the girls’ was hanging out, I thought, I really should put her back, but as I peered down at my little love-bunny, he was drinking like it was his first cherry slushy on a 100 degree day. So I kept it out. George approached, kind of in slow motion, with a big grin on his face, he came closer and closer until the back of the seat in front of me was no longer an obstacle, and just as he was actually comprehending what was happening, his expression turned to confusion then his eyes widened as shock washed over his face.  Trying to recover, he laughed awkwardly and said, “I haven’t seen you in a while”. At that very moment, the bambino let out a giant toot which shook his little body – jettisoning him onto his side- which in turn broke his steel trap like grip on my breast… leaving me, George and my messed up nipple to make small talk.

But it gets better. Said nipple started to leak. Drip. Drip. Drip. On my baby’s forehead head who started to wail in response to the Chinese torture. I knew I should have pumped before we left. I could have taken it with me and pumped in the potty (been there done that), but I was out of batteries and finding an outlet on the train – asking someone to move – and pumping in public (in that seat that faces the entire car), well, that would be beyond awkward at best.

I live by the pump. I started pumping as soon as my milk came in – trying to convince my body that I had twins, so I could start freezing. Yes, there is the daycare thing, but let’s be honest ladies, I do the occasional pump and dump. C’mon, I’d been on the wagon for 9 months – sometimes Mama needs a martini . Or a margarita. So, in turn, I find wet spots on my shirts more often than I would care to and must relieve myself when baby and I are off schedule. Which brings me to the Nor’easter.

Why do we always lose power? We live on a windy road with no sidewalks and lots of trees, that’s why. One tree down, we are done. But if you happen to live up our way, you might have spotted me in the middle of the night sneaking out to the Traverse clad in only boots, sweatpants, a ski cap and a wool poncho my husband brought back from Ecuador. Trusty pump in hand, I waded through the snowdrifts and unlocked the car which I had already started from inside. Warm and toasty. I plugged in and that sweet sound of the mechanical dairy farmer started!  Never loved that car more than in that very moment.

I was not born skinny. Not even close. And I had my first chubby phase around 2nd grade. But as I hit puberty, the fat seemed to reallocate to all the right places. I was hippy but I was hot.

Now, working in TV I am constantly surrounded by skinny girls, some naturally thin, others with obvious eating disorders who would lock themselves in the single unit bathroom for an extended period of time after food demo segments. And being a size eight is like a size 14 in the outside world. But blessed with long thin arms, coupled with super high heels hidden under super-long jeans, it never held me back. It’s all about proportion. Make that, smoke and mirrors.

Ok, I have bored you with my body image history as necessary back-story for where I find myself on the scale today. Two weeks after baby #2, I had only lost 16 of the 38 pounds gained. How is that possible? I’m breast-feeding, isn’t that supposed to help? I’m breast-feeding A LOT – which should really be helping. I even bought one of those uterus-shrinking belly bands that Brooke Burke was hawking (did she mention she was previously married to a plastic surgeon…uh…NOOOO, she did not!). The scale hasn’t budged since 10 days after birth. WTF? Brooke was back in her skinny jeans 3 weeks later and she has four freaking kids. Did I mention I hate her?

So, I have been trying to ignore it. Trying to ignore the fact that I wear sweatpants all the time. Or my stretchy waist pregnancy jeans. Or – ok, fine- my bathrobe which is super convenient for whipping out a breast to nurse or pump. Which btw, you should really never do in front of your husband. The sound alone is enough to send shivers down the spine of the man in your life. I however, have not taken my own advice and pump with disregard to whomever may be present. My parents –who pretend not to notice. My son – who seems confused. My dog – who seems intrigued, My dinner guests – who politely excuse themselves. The plumber was over this weekend and much to my irritation, my husband insisted on unplugging me.

Jump cut to this morning. Nursing baby @ 6:30, making egg and waffle for little guy @ 7:30, putting on coffee and toast for big guy @ 8, feeding baby again at 8:30, and dashing to get dressed to take boy to pre-k. Admittedly, I have been slacking on the laundry, and not one pair of stretch jeans or sweatpants in sight. I opened my bottom drawer and grabbed my fat jeans, a brave and daring move, I tell you. When I tried them on two weeks ago, I couldn’t get them over my hips let alone my butt. I put in the left leg. I put in the right and much to my surprise I wiggled them up around my hips. And with one giant gasp for air, I buttoned them up! I’m in! Sure there is a layer of doughy fat hanging over, a minor camel toe going on and I can’t really breathe, but that’s over rated anyway. Oxygen is for PUSSIES! hahahaaaa!

So, when I heard about a bakery in Jersey that stuffs its cupcakes with  fillings like espresso mousse and amaretto cream, I knew we had to check it out. And we were not disappointed! I can’t even go in to all the flavors they have, you just need to check out their website. But I can say that these are, without a doubt, the most decadent, radical, over the top, craziest cupcakes we have ever encountered. The cupcake will never be the same for me. And the good news is that even if you don’t want to drive to Jersey, you can order them online…like Oprah does. The nice owners did however send me home with so many samples they barely fit in the trunk o the Traverse. I quickly unloaded at my son’s daycare out of sheer terror that I might actually eat every single last one. I ask…..how many spin classes would it take to burn off 36 stuffed (full cream) cupcakes?

From Their Website:

Since Maureen and Keith Jaret baked the first Stuffed Cupcakes in 2005, their unique flavor-filled treats have been a hit.

Stuffed Cupcakes History

The first Stuffed Cupcakes were made at Maureen and Keith’s restaurant, The Petite Café in Nutley, NJ.  Now sold throughout the Tri-State area, Stuffed Cupcakes are growing fast and no longer available to just local taste buds. Order a dozen Stuffed Cupcakes online, and we’ll ship them to you—anywhere in the continental U.S.!

Wherever you are and whenever you have to have 12 original Stuffed Cupcakes, be good to your craving. Shop online, email or call (973) 667-7778.

Stuffed Cupcakes Creators

Keith and Maureen Jaret aren’t your typical cupcake-inspired foodies. Keith graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and gained valuable experience at Windows on the World, La Mirabelle, La Petit Auberge and Mortimer’s Restaurant before taking the helm of Hilton International’s 180-seat Café 43. That’s where he met Maureen, a former Wall Street specialist turned epicurean after just one bite of Keith’s cooking.

It was love at first bite, and these two cupcake-baking New Yorkers tied the knot in 1987. Their love for each other (and quality food service) soon launched catering company A Savoire-Affaire. Their undying and well-fed entrepreneurial spirits kept going strong as they ran Latin-inspired restaurant and ballroom Restaurant Ole.

The Jarets have developed a style that fuses European techniques with American ingenuity. It’s this style that turns their creations into popular culinary delights.

2001 was a big year for the Jarets. They opened The Petite Café in Nutley, NJ. Cupcakes were first on their list of culinary experimentation. After serving-up breakfast, lunch and dinner, they would dedicate oven time to creating Stuffed Cupcakes.

Gluten-Free Vegan Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel “Buttercream Frosting”

This recipe was created for a reader who wasn’t a huge fan of chocolate (my go-to flavor), but adored caramel. They are Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Allergy-Friendly. I have heard from those who’ve baked it, it also makes a great birthday cake!

“Allergy-Friendly” Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel “Buttercream” Frosting
Makes 12 Cupcakes.

With the heavenly aroma of crème caramel, these tender little gems are like flan in a cupcake!

1/2 cup rice milk
3/4 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups Authentic Foods GF Classical Blend, or my Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons Spectrum Organic Vegetable Shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 3 Tablespoons rice milk
1/4 cup caramel syrup (recipe follows)
♥♥♥
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a muffin pan with 12 liners.
Combine ½ cup rice milk with the cider vinegar and set aside.
Measure out flour mix by spooning flour into a dry measuring cup, then leveling it off with a straightedge, or the back of a knife. (Do not scoop the flour directly with the measuring cup or you’ll wind up with too much flour for the recipe). Combine flour mix with xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk well. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine vegetable shortening and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed 2 minutes.
Add vanilla extract and egg replacer to bowl of stand mixer. Mix on medium speed 1 minute more. Add caramel syrup, and mix about 30 seconds to combine.

Using a sifter, sift in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with rice milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture, and mixing until combined, about 30 seconds. Once batter is smooth, spoon about ¼ cup batter into each liner, filling the liners about halfway full. Do not overfill the liners, or they will overflow and stick to the pan!

Bake in the center of the oven 10 minutes until tops have domed slightly, then reduce temperature to 350°F and bake 8-10 minutes more until a lovely rich amber color. Resist opening the oven door while baking, they need a consistent temp to rise, and set!

Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely before frosting.

Caramel “Buttercream” Frosting
A light creamy caramel frosting that can be piped, or spread with a butter knife or frosting spatula, creating pretty swirls. Makes enough for 12 Cupcakes.

1 cup Spectrum Organic Vegetable Shortening
pinch of salt
¼ cup caramel syrup (recipe follows)
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 Tablespoon rice milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
♥♥♥
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream shortening and pinch of salt on medium speed, about 2 minutes.

Add caramel syrup and mix about 1 minute more. Add confectioners’ sugar in three batches, beating after each addition. Add rice milk and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Caramel Syrup This syrup can be made in advance. Just be sure to store it tightly covered.

2 cups granulated sugar
1 ½ cups cool water
♥♥♥
In a small heavy saucepan, combine granulated sugar with ½ cup of the water. Stir well to combine, scraping down sugar from sides of pan.
Place on burner, over high heat. Cook, stirring, with a wooden spoon, melting sugar and bringing up to a rapid boil. It will foam, turn to liquid, clump, foam again, etc. After about 14 minutes it should turn a dark amber color.
With caution, add the remaining cup of water to the sugar mixture. Beware, it will act like a bubbling cauldron, sputtering out all over the place, so wear long sleeves and an apron, and be prepared to jump back. Stir water in, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, at a simmer about 5 minutes more, dissolving any lumps. Let cool completely before using. Once cooled, it should be the consistency of corn syrup. If it’s too thin, bring it back up to a boil and cook a couple minutes longer, then cool again. If it’s too thick, add a little warm water and cook over medium heat, until thinned out to proper consistency.
“Allergy-Friendly” Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel “Buttercream” Frosting Copyright © 2010 by Cybele Pascal

(Please note that all my recipes are completely free of all top allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, and gluten), so as many people as possible can enjoy them. Additionally, all the ingredients are available at Whole Foods, and online at Amazon.com. If you have trouble finding something, let me know and I’ll help you find it.)

SAFETY NOTE: Because each person’s food sensitivity and reaction is unique, ranging from mild intolerance to life-threatening and severe food allergies, it is up to the consumer to monitor ingredients and manufacturing conditions. If manufacturing conditions, potential cross contact between foods, and ingredient derivatives pose a risk for you, please re-read all food labels and call the manufacturer to confirm potential allergen concerns before consumption. Ingredients and manufacturing practices can change overnight and without warning.

Cybele Pascal is the award-winning author of The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook and The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook. She has been a guest on The Martha Stewart Show, the Food Network, the Todayshow, ABC News,Good Morning America Health, and NPR. She writes a weekly food blog, Food Allergy Recipe Challenge on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Daily and is the host of Eat Freely with Cybele, an internet based Allergy-Friendly cooking show. She is also a regular contributor to Living Without; the magazine for people with allergies and food sensitivities, and her allergy-friendly recipes have appeared in many national publications, including Good Housekeeping, Whole Living, and NY Parent. Additionally, she has written regular columns for Oxygen Media, AOL, and Gaiam.com.

For more information visit Cybele’s Website!

(note from the editor (toni): i think laura is hell-bent on ruining my dieting efforts.)

EggNog Ice Cream

1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 whole cloves
1-2 sticks cinnamon (or 1/4-1/2t ground cinnamon)
pinch of salt
1/4t ground nutmeg
6 egg yolks, at room temperature
2t vanilla extract
3T dark rum or bourbon

Combine the heavy cream, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt and half a cup of the sugar in a heavy bottom medium size pot and bring to a low boil while stirring. Then cover and remove from heat and let the spices steep for at least 30 minutes.

In the meantime, combine the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a small bowl.

After the ice cream base has steeped, remove the cinnamon (if using sticks) and cloves and discard.

Reheat the cream mixture over medium heat to s slight simmer. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in about a half a cup of the mixture into the yolks (be sure not to add this mixture too quickly or it will scramble the egg yolks).

After the yolks are warm, add them into the cream mixture and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat until the mixture reaches 180 degrees or until it coats the back of a wooden spoon and when you run your finger through the back of the spoon, the mixture does not seep into your line.

Immediately pour the cooked mixture into a fine mesh sieve to remove any bits of egg.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Once the mixture is chilled, stir in the vanilla and rum/bourbon.

Pour into an ice cream machine and follow the manufacturers directions. Take it out of the ice cream machine and freeze in an airtight container for at least 3 hours before serving (as the mixture will still be soft after it comes out of the ice cream machine).

Let soften for a few minutes and serve with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.

ABOUT LAURA! and for custom orders: just email me

I first met CIA Pastry chef grad, Laura Scarpino at my son’s day care! She was in the baby room and was his care-taker from when he was just 8 weeks old (TV biz doesn’t give much maternity leave!). And I fell in love with her! She became my go to babysitter and would travel with me when I had to head out of town for work. Only later did she reveal her culinary tricks! I recall the first time she brought her mud cookie’s to my son’s first birthday party and I was like HOLY CANNOLI! This girl can bake!!!! My secret aspiration/retirement plan is to open up a bakery for her. SHE FREAKIN’ ROCKS. I’m serious. I have shot stories with some of the world’s best pastry chefs and this girl could go head to head. And WIN!