What do you eat?
I happily follow the eating plan outlined in my new book Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches. Essentially I think of each meal as a puzzle – it’s not complete unless it contains each of five essential pieces: produce, a whole grain, a lean protein, plant-based fat and natural seasonings. The book contains 100 clean, quick fix meals, including some of my staples, like Peanut Butter Blackberry Toast and Black Bean Tacos with Cilantro Jalapeno Guacamole. But I also try to eat as much variety as possible within each group (wild rice one day, quinoa the next and lots of different types and colors of produce, etc.). I also eat local, in-season foods and buy organic as often as I can.

What foods do you avoid?
I avoid anything artificial (no artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives, etc.) as well as processed foods. Generally, if a food contains ingredients I wouldn’t use in a recipe in my own kitchen, I don’t buy it. 
 
Do you think everyone should be vegetarian?
No, I think it’s a personal choice. My husband and many of my clients are not vegetarian but it is the right choice for me. I’ve been vegetarian for over 20 years.
 
Do you take any supplements?
Yes. I take probiotics, vegetarian omega-3s and vegetarian vitamin D because I cannot meet my needs through food alone. I believe supplement recommendations should be completely individualized, not one size fits all, and the amounts should based on filling a gap that can’t be filled by changing your diet. I may or may not recommend these or other supplements to my clients.

What’s your workout routine?
Varied! I was an avid runner but it started aggravating previous injuries, so I retired my running shoes. Now my favorite forms of exercise are hiking, dance, cross country skiing, fun group fitness classes, strength training without weights and my absolute favorite: walking. In Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches I devote an entire chapter to falling in love with walking. 

Do you ever splurge?
Yes! I’m a believer in splurges, as long as you’re savvy about it. Not giving into cravings just causes them to linger and can lead to overeating other foods or just feeling perpetually unsatisfied. My can’t-live-without splurges are fresh cut pommes frites cooked in olive oil and movie theatre popcorn. The Cinch! book includes a strategy for exactly how to build in a splurge without derailing your diet, but some of the key foods in the plan are those that satisfy me the most - foods I actually I recommend eating every day, like almond butter, avocado, olives and dark chocolate (a daily dark chocolate escape is mandatory).

Do you like to cook?
I guess that depends on how you define cooking! I have made many things from scratch, from pasta and sushi to salsa and vegan chocolate espresso pudding, but cooking isn’t my passion. I love creating quick fix meals made from whole foods or whole foods paired with healthful convenience foods like jarred pesto. My favorite “recipes” are simple (five ingredients or less) and seasonal. In the Cinch! book you'll find 100 easy options, including vegan, vegetarian and omnivore meals.
 
How do you stay motivated?
I want to look better and younger like everyone else but it’s really all about how I feel. Day to day, feeling energized (mentally and physically), lean and fit is worth the effort I put into eating healthfully, but honestly, once you get into a routine, it doesn’t feel like a lot of effort. Another thing that really motivates me is knowing that what I do today will help me live more independently later in life. When I’m in my 80s and beyond I want to be able to travel and take care of myself. In NYC where I live and in my travels to Japan and Europe, I’ve seen people well into their 80s who are more active and look and act healthier than a lot of people I know who are in their 40s. I’m in awe of that.