While in New York celebrating the New Year, my dear friend Leslie invited me to an energizing workout class with the hope of jumping starting my fitness plan for 2012. Because my life has become much more hectic with blogging, food photography, taping shows, working on my cookbook, coupled with the fact I put great faith in my “good genes”… exercise has taken a bit of a backseat….which is evident on my backside. With a desire to inspire me, Leslie took me to Queens, New York for an early morning New Years Eve cardio class run by Davon Livingston. We could have done a lite 30 minute jog, but no…….

Davon Livingston is an up and coming trainer in the New York area. As the owner of Lose-N-Tone Total Body Sculpting & Nutrition, Davon works to empower his clientele… mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Davon Livingston’s first piece of advice going into the New Year….

Create an action plan

–  hit the gym or work with a trainer

-start journaling

-set realist goals

 -celebrate weekly accomplishments

Take It Slow

-if not, you may set yourself up for failure

-burn out is quick if you do too much too fast

-you will become frustrated 😦

Know Your Weakness

– be comfortable focusing on the areas that need work

– awareness is the key

( I am aware I need to get my butt to the gym)

Make It Happen 

– this is the motto at Lose-N-Tone

– create a schedule, get a support network, and hold you self accountable

– then Make It Happen

Make dietary adjustments

– don’t sabotage your hard work in the gym

-journal what you are eating

-increase your water intake

-portion control

(this is where it all goes down hill for me…I don’t know portion control)

Be Balanced

– make sure the workouts and dietary adjustments are balanced

– if not, your body and mind will fight back

Be good to yourself

-take care of you mind, heart, and soul

– daily quiet time working on your self affirmations will help you stay the course

Keep your eye on the prize

– if you do get frustrated, talk to your support group, talk to your trainer,

even hit the internet…there will always be someone to help keep you

motivated…or call me…. I want you to stay on track 🙂

One Big Family

I had a great day with this awesome crew at Lose-N-Tone

Talk about support group….this is the ultimate one…..

As it is rather evident, I didn’t workout…..I was on assignment..I can multitask but not like that…best of luck to Davon

Davon’s Ultimate Healthy Meal….

Blackened Chicken, Cajun Sweet Potatoes, and Sauteed Greens

Blackened Chicken 

– 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking pan or dish with cooking oil. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Slice breast in half ( 4 pieces), pound the chicken breast until quite thin (around 1/4″ thick). Mix all of the spice ingredients together thoroughly. Coat both sides of the chicken breasts with the spices.

Heat a non-stick grill pan or skillet over medium high heat. Place chicken breasts in pan and brown both sides, 45-60 seconds per side. Place chicken in prepared baking pan and bake in oven for 5 minutes.

Mashed Cajun Sweet Potatoes 

– 6 large sweet potatoes

– 3/4 cup brown sugar (or 1/2 cup guava nector healthy choice)

– 1/2 tsp cayene pepper

– 1/2 tsp paprika

– 1 tsp cinnamon

– pinch of salt

 Bake sweet potatoes at 350 degrees for 40 minutes allow to cool

 slice and scoop out the meat of the potato. Mix in all other ingredients..

Use a hand mixer, food processor or blender to achieve the desired texture… I don’t

like chunks so I puree and puree and puree..DELICIOUS…

Sauteed Greens

  • 1 1/2 pounds mixed greeens, stems and leaves coarsely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flake
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock or water
  • season salt
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • salt and pepper
  • hot sauce

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored. Raise heat to high, add the stock and greens and toss to combine. Add 1/2 tsp season salt, red pepper flake, and onion powder.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar. Then the hot sauce for me not Davon….

This is our “Prom Date Picture”…Davon’s energy is amazing. For me,  Davon is like my brother Jon…everyone in the world loves him. A great sense of humor…

Some people are blessed with the ability to draw the universe to them and that is who Davon is…

To contact Davon ……for fitness or nutrition guidance call 5166538031 or contact Davon on facebook via Lose-N-Tone….

Just remember…Who Do You Want In Your Kitchen On Game Day…….