Hi everyone,

Today I want to share some fashion advice for expectant mamas from The Mommy Diet...because it can be a lot of fun to dress your bump!

Here are a few tips:

1. Dress to impress. When you’re going out on the town, try getting glammed up a bit! A pregnant belly can look fabulous in a form-fitting dress or skinny maternity jeans and a cute top. And then change into something super-comfy when you get home!
2. Clean out your closet. Out with the old, in with the new. Make room for maternity clothes by getting rid of anything you’ll never wear again. You know there are things in there that should never see the light of day, so put them out of their misery. This is a perfect time to make a donation to the charity of your choice, plus it’s a tax deduction.
3. Don’t go on crazy shopping sprees. Your body is going to be changing constantly. Don’t buy a bunch of clothes in the early months of pregnancy that you won’t be able to wear for a year. Get the items you need as you go. 
4. Hang on to your style. Try to capture your own unique personality in the maternity items you do buy. You're still you, so let your style shine, even as you're "dressing for two!" 

Next week I'll share some tips for getting dressed (and dressed up!) just after the baby comes.

Do you have any fashion tips for expectant or new moms? Please share them in the comments below.

XO

Ali

PS – don't forget to tune in to "Biggest Loser" tonight on NBC at 8/7c!

Hi everyone,
 
It's been a while since I shared a recipe! So I wanted to pass along this one for a salad that's really rich in the nutrient folate, which is great for everyone...especially anyone who is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. 
 
I included this one in my book The Mommy Diet. It's so easy to make, and eating it is a good way to get lots of nutrients into your system (including a healthy dose of folate).
 
Ingredients

• 2 cups raw spinach leaves (100 micrograms folate)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice (10 micrograms folate)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup whole strawberries, hulled and chopped (36 micrograms folate)

Method

Toss the spinach leaves with the juice, oil, salt, and pepper so the leaves are all lightly coated. Add the strawberries, toss gently, and serve.

What are your favorite folate-rich foods? Please share them in the comments section below!
 
PS – Did you catch this week’s episode of “The Biggest Loser”? Check out my full recap at People.com.

XO

Ali

Hi everyone,

My big brother and I ran the Pasadena Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sunday. And we finished in 2 hours! It was so cool to run side by side with him for the whole 13.1 miles, and to have our parents cheering us on from the sidelines. We had a great day...in fact, we were feeling so amazing at the finish that we ran more after the race was over and turned it into a 20-mile training run to help us get ready for the Los Angeles Marathon next month.

Have you picked a race to train for yet?

XO

Ali

PS – Be sure to check out my "Biggest Loser" recap on People.com!

Hi everyone!
 
Last week, I asked you what you’d be cooking for Valentine’s Day, for a chance to win a signed copy of The Mommy Diet. I loved reading your answers! Here’s what our winner had to say:

“I will probably cook whole grain pasta with Italian meatballs, salad and whole wheat dinner rolls. My husband is Italian, and I have 2 grown sons ages 21 & 17, then my little angel that is just 4…they are all pasta lovers. Dessert will be something heart shaped and maybe pink lol!”

Congrats, Janette! Thanks to everyone for entering, and stay tuned for more giveaways here soon. Have a great weekend!

XO

Ali

Hi everyone!

Last weekend I ran in the @PreventionMag Mermaid Run 10K in San Diego. I finished in 53 minutes, 27 seconds...which was my best 10K time ever! All the running I've been doing to train for the Los Angeles Marathon is paying off. It's so exciting and rewarding to see real results like that. Which got me thinking...if I can do it, so can you! Who wants to pick an event to train for? It can be a 5K, a a 10K, a half-marathon, or even a marathon. Just make sure you give yourself time to train.

Let me know in the comment section below when and what your event is, and what your goal time is. If you reach your goal before the end of July (and post a comment here with a link to the race's results page!), you'll be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy of The Mommy Diet. And of course I'll be checking in with you all to see how your training is going!

XO

Ali

PS - be sure to check out my recap of last night's episode of "The Biggest Loser" on People.com.

Hi everyone, 

Today, I’m sharing a recipe from The Mommy Diet that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. Make this for your whole family or pair it with your favorite white wine and share it with your significant other.

Chicken With Dried Cherries

Serves 4

Cut 4 small chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon curry powder (mild, unless you dig some major spice), and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss the chicken pieces in the curry flour and brush off the excess. 

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Spray the pan lightly with cooking oil and cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, to brown it for flavor (you will cook it more in the liquid). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add 1 small white onion (chopped) and 2 stalks celery (chopped) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir. Add ¼ cup dried cherries and ¼ cup water, and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let simmer for about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup light coconut milk. 

Serve with whole-wheat couscous or brown rice (about ½ cup per person), or use as a chicken salad (using only a spare amount of sauce in this case). 

Are you cooking anything special for Valentine’s Day? Tell me in the comments below! 

Win a Signed Copy of The Mommy Diet!

I’ll choose one commenter who will win a signed copy of The Mommy Diet. I’ll announce the winner next week, so be sure to leave a comment below telling me what you’re cooking for Valentine’s Day! 

XO 

Ali

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to announce that The Mommy Diet is now available in paperback...just in time for the holidays!

On her witty blog Break For Moms, Jennifer gave her followers a heads-up about the paperback yesterday and also interviewed me about several holiday topics, including my family's traditions. And she got me to dish about my most embarrassing mom moment! 

What was your most embarrassing moment as a mom? Please tell us about it in the comment section below!

XO

Ali 

Hi everyone,

Last week we were talking in the make-up room about restaurants putting bread on the table before the meal arrives. Seriously, who's idea was that? People don't do that at home! (Right?) What is the point of filling up on empty calories while you're waiting for the food you actually ordered to arrive? My husband calls it "filler." I wrote about this in The Mommy Diet, too. I think everyone should follow a simple rule when eating out: Skip the bread! Ask your server not to bring it to the table, so you don't start nibbling mindlessly. This is an easy fix, and it could save you literally hundreds of calories.

Are you tempted by the bread basket? Do you have any easy rules for maintaining healthy eating in restaurants?

XO

Ali

Hey Everyone!

Tomorrow, May 7, I will be at the Everett, MA PetSmart from 10am – 12pm to host the Hill’s Science Diet PetSmart PetFit Challenge Ceremony. I’ll be announcing the winner of the PetSmart PetFit Challenge who will have the chance to win up to $500,000!

Pet owners can come down to the store to hear about my own personal pet weight loss success story with Winky, talk to vets for tips on proper weight loss and takeaway a grab bag including product samples and discounts.

***The first 75 owners to come down will receive a photo with me and an autographed copy of my book, The Mommy Diet. ***

So come on down, it’s going to be a great event!

XO

Ali

Photo: tumblr.com