A simple salad made with ripe heirloom tomatoes, garden fresh cucumbers and creamy goat cheese is drizzled with olive oil and a plenty of fresh basil.
There is nothing better than a good book. You know the type: the one stay up way too late to read and can’t put down. The one you literally finish from front to back in a matter of days reading every single word.
Fitness Confidential is one of those books. In fact, I finished it a few weeks ago and still think about it to this day. Written by Vinnie Tortorich, an LA-based personal trainer who has worked with celebrities, stay-at-home moms, pregnant women, CEO’s and everything in between, he provides everything you look for in a fitness book: inspiration, honesty, zero bullsh*t and a hefty dose of humor.
It’s one thing to read about a beautiful Hollywood trainer who has been fit their entire life, makes tons of money and has very few life obstacles to overcome. Diagnosed with leukemia in July 2007, Vinnie not only fought cancer and survived countless rounds of chemo but he simultaneously trained and competed in marathon cycling events. Let me be clear, we’re not talking an Irish Jig 5K or half marathon my friends, I’m talking 12 and 24 hour cycling races. In the desert. Against wind storms and 90 degree heat.
And I got tired walking on the treadmill earlier this week….
As someone who has battled her own weight loss struggles, I love the underlying motivation behind Fitness Confidential. Vinnie is known as “America’s Angriest Trainer” because he feels the diet industry is capitalizing on selling Americans false hope, false promises and lies about how to get fit and lose weight. Whether it’s a fancy protein bar that you eat that makes you feel like the athlete on the wrapper or the bag of candy you ate with all of the points you saved up earlier in the week, these are just a few examples of how large companies are making money off of keeping Americans fat, sick and nearly dead. (Good movie, btw!)
Here’s the deal: this book is a light read. Vinnie is hilarious and extremely sarcastic which is why I couldn’t put the book down. The book doesn’t make you feel badly, it makes you feel empowered. If you’re looking for a motivational, inspiring and memorable read, I highly suggest you read Fitness Confidential.
Oh and this salad? It is not only a delightful way to enjoy tomato and cucumber season but it embodies Vinnie’s diet plan which includes plenty of FAT! Yes, fat! Because guess what happens when you eat a a fat free salad with fat free cheese? You are hungry 20 minutes later and your body isn’t able to fully digest the nutrients in the vegetables. Fat is your friend and that’s just one of the many reasons I loved this book.
Your fork is waiting.
Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 heirloom tomatoes any variety - sliced
- 2 medium cucumbers sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Arrange tomato and cucumber slices on a large platter and top with goat cheese crumbles and fresh basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve at room temperature for maximum flavor.
Nutrition Facts:
Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time to create this recipe and received a complimentary copy of Fitness Confidential to review. As always, all thoughts are 100% my own.
Jenny Ham
I like that they can make the reading fun entertainment keeps you reading it…
Denise Donaldson
how he stayed fit through his illness
Michelle McCulloch
Its a book about overcoming an obsticle like losing weight..whats not to love.
Dawn Reid
This sounds like it would really help me motivate myself and make a difference.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
AmyBond
The diet industry is horrible when it comes to lying to us! The junk they are selling us is what is causing the problems, can’t wait to read this book and see his take on it. This salad looks amazing, too! Will be making this!
Richard Hicks
I think that just because this guy has worked with celebrities he must know what he is talking about!
brich22 at earthlink dot net