Think Outside the Box...of chocolates

To no surprised, both myself and my husband life "The" lifestyle.

We schedule life around healthy habits such as consistent, intense exercise and properly timed and combined meals.

Holidays are no exception.


Clearly Krista's husband does NOT celebrate Valentine's Day with booze and box of chocolates.

We celebrate but we do it Defining Edge style.

Too often we associate holidays with excess alcohol, inactivity and poor food choices or simply too much food.

On Friday night Pete and I first stopped in at Starbuck's for a duppio espresso with cream before heading to the Chedoke Stairs (290 steps) and took a leisurely yet challenging walk up and down them.

The air was crisp and all that we could hear was the sound of a nearby waterfall. It was a gentle workout but beautful and we enjoyed each other's company.



Next stop was Lemongrass Restaurant where we shared grilled chicken skewers in a satay sauce and mango salad.

No commercial chocolates for us. We are beyond that and we hope to inspire and educate you to be also.

Looking forward to hearing your non-traditional ways of celebrating this "lovely" weekend.

What's so great about tomato products?

Concentrated tomato products (salsa, hot sauce, tomato sauce / paste) are very high in a compound called lypocene. Lypocene is a highly powerful antioxidant and has been shown to help clear free radicals in the body. It is known as an anti-ageing / longevity nugget and has a strong positive impact on sex organ cancers (prostrate, breast) and male / female hormone balance.

From a simpler perspective, salsa is an easy way to get some additional vegetables in your system. I like finding salsa that does not use a lot of preservatives like vinegar, salt, sugars. Look for organic options at your grocery stores as tomato skins can be subject to more pollutants from pesticides and fertilizers (thin skin, dark coloured fruits and veggies should be bought organic where thick skinned light colours are protected).

Is Green Tea Better Than Coffee?

It’s not necessarily about better or worse as both have beneficial properties. It’s about picking the right tools (food and/or supplements), nutritionally, for getting a specific job done (goals)

Green tea has many benefits. A few that we specifically care about for our clients:

Green tea has an alkaline pH balance which is health promoting (good for the cells and the blood) coffee is actually neutral acid / alkaline but commercially prepared coffee is harsh on the digestive lining. When the lining of the stomach gets too thin, digestive pain and symptoms. Additionally coffee can inhibit absorption of nutrients from food and supplements so drinking coffee around your meals or with supplements is not recommended. We aim to feed the body things that AID in digestion (like green tea, lemon juice) and limit foods / drinks that can HINDER digestion ( like coffee and vinegars)

Green tea is high in something called L-theanine which increases neurotransmitters and brain wave activity that makes you feel good, happy, content, euphoric. When you feel good / happy you are more likely to make healthy food choices and engage in healthy habits

Green tea is lower in caffeine (only an average of 35 mg / serving) whereas most traditional coffee we drink is high (150-200 mg). If someone suffers from adrenal problems (high stress / high cortisol levels /sleep problems) caffeine can over stimulate the adrenal gland (where cortisol, the “stress hormone” is released) even more.

Stress is one of the #1 contributing factor in our society for the problem with our weight and health. So anything we can do to manage stress levels helps us get lean and healthy. Additionally, excessive caffeine intake can actually contribute to constipation in that it acts as a strong laxative. We want the digestive system to work more naturally and not really on harsh laxatives to get that system going.

For more info on negative side of coffee, check here.

The best way to drink your coffee: Organic, free trade Arabica beans recently roasted then prepared in a French press.

Bad Food Made Better

We all have our vices and one of my favorites, is ANYTHING chocolate peanut butter. So rather than giving up "bad" food all together, just find a way to make bad food better.

As long as I get that flavour combination, I am good to go.

3/4 cup cottage cheese (1%)
1 tbsp natural peanut butter, smooth
2 tsp chocolate Olvaltine
1/2 tsp Splenda
A sprinkling of dark chocolate chips (optional)

By making these kind of creative concoctions, not only will you take your body and your health to new levels you will also refine your taste buds. You will just be too good for Reece's!


Reeces Big Gut or Butt maybe!

Winter Feel Good Food

Soup makes winter a much warmer season. However soup can be a little less than satisfying. One of my favorite recipes that satisfies the tongue, tummy while helping you make a physique transformation is my Dad's Turkey Harvest Soup.

1 Package lean ground turkey (or ground chicken), cooked, rinsed & drained (reserve drippings)

2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 leeks, sliced
1 onion, chopped
6 cups squash, peeled and diced
1 potato, peeled and diced
4 cups chicken stock plus the drippings
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup milk or light coconut milk

In large saucepan, melt butter with oil over medium-low heat; cook leeks and onion., covered, stirring often for 10 minutes or until softened but not browned. Add squash, potato, chicken stock, white and cayenne peppers; bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Puree in a blender, food processor or with a hand mixer. Add milk and cooked ground turkey; heat thoroughly but do not boil.

Makes 6-8 servings.