Fave food of the famous

Denise Austin

When this column began more than seven years ago, Denise Austin was one of the first celebrities who consented to be interviewed. We’ll always love her for that! She remains at the top of the fitness world, and for more than 25 years has worked overtime to promote a healthy, active lifestyle.

Austin got her start by appearing on TV with fitness legend Jack LaLanne. Soon she had her own show, and now with 60 DVDs and a shelf full of books with her name on the cover, she remains the go-to expert for everything from a quick exercise routine to a full plan for a better life. Look for her on Lifetime TV and other networks.

This year Austin has teamed up with the makers of Listerine to offer tips on how Americans can make their nights more healthy and productive. For additional nighttime health and fitness tips, visit www.Listerine.com.

If a person absolutely must have a bedtime snack, are you better off with a liquid like milk, juice or a protein shake, than you are with solid food?

“We all get cravings, especially at night, but what I do is put a curfew on the kitchen. I try to eat an early dinner, and at 8 p.m. sharp, I shut my kitchen door. After that, I only drink water. I also brush, floss and rinse with Listerine right after dinner so I’m not tempted to dig into the cookies. You may be less inclined to have a late-night snack if it interferes with the clean feeling you have in your mouth.

Sometimes, though, those cravings can be impossible to ignore — especially when there’s something delicious in your pantry! Try this: Take just a little bit of that treat and walk out of the kitchen. You’ll be less likely to overeat, and just a taste may be enough to move past the craving. Also, try lean protein and fibrous fruits and vegetables. They are your best before-bedtime choices because they fill you up quickly and have fewer calories than other typical late-night meals like fast food or take-out.”

A few things to eat before a workout?

“It’s good to eat a little something before a workout, like a hard-boiled egg, yogurt or a small bowl of cereal. This will help give you energy to complete your routine. Sometimes I even make my own smoothie for a quick burst of energy before a workout. The basic recipe is to use 1 cup of fruit, 1/2 cup of fat-free milk, 1/2 cup of low-fat plain yogurt, 2 teaspoons of honey, a few ice cubes, and then blend it for about a minute.”

How is your daily diet different today than it was 20 years ago?

“The biggest difference is I now have a family, and our health is a top priority. To make sure we eat well despite busy schedules, I created some shortcuts to meal prep. On Sundays, I chop boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small pieces, add a little salt and pepper and stir-fry a whole batch. I store the chicken in single-serving plastic bags in the refrigerator. This allows me to make the most of the little time I have at night. During the week, I throw the chicken into fajitas with taco seasoning or stir-fry it with vegetables. Another big change is that I’ve added foods to our diets that are believed to have powerful healthy effects, like fresh fish and flax seed.”

If you could talk back to the TV audience watching your shows and videos, what would you say?

“Channel surfing is not a sport! You’ve got to get off that couch to exercise. It’s easy to work some basic routines into your day, and luckily your body doesn’t know if you’re in your living room or a fancy gym. It just takes a little motivation and realizing that you deserve to look and feel your best. You can do it!”

Spinach and Red Pepper Stuffed Chicken Breast on Lemon Asparagus Couscous

2 cups couscous

Cooking spray

1/2 cup sliced asparagus

2 cups water

1/2 tablespoons salt

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 (4-ounce) boneless chicken breasts

1/2 cup red bell pepper, roasted, peeled and chopped

1 cup fresh chopped spinach leaves

1/4 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoons granulated garlic or minced fresh garlic

1 tablespoon canola oil

Pour uncooked couscous into a bowl and spray with cooking spray. Mix thoroughly. Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 40 seconds. Drain and add to couscous. In a separate bowl, boil 2 cups of water. Add salt, lemon juice and brown sugar to boiling water. Pour heated water mixture into the bowl of couscous and let sit for 5 to 7 minutes until water is absorbed.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut a pocket in the chicken breasts. Stuff with red pepper, spinach, mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Combine flour and garlic. Close pocket and roll chicken lightly in flour mixture. Heat oil in nonstick skillet, add chicken and cook until golden brown. Place browned chicken in oven and cook for 30 minutes, until juices run clear. Serve chicken on couscous and asparagus. Makes 2 servings.