How I made Healthy Living a Career

The road to well-being was a narrow wilderness when I was growing up but I always felt it was a play ground to be discovered.

Most days, you can catch me enthusiastically promoting the benefits of exercise for the Center for Healthy Living at Kaiser Permanente. As a Lifestyle Educator, I am happy to bring a lifetime of experience in fitness and healthy to the patients and employees there.

My parents diligently pursued the narrow path to health and brought up their nine children on whole foods that were not processed. My father developed a passion for health early on because he was sickly as a child. So, I was raised on a plant-based diet… no sugar or white flour. When I brought whole wheat bread to my school lunch room, it was not cool! Mind you, this was back in the 50s, 60s and 70s, when most everyone ate white bread.

The Alberici Family were pioneers in healthy living and eating a plant-based diet.

The value of exercise was in-grained in me by my parents example. There were many books on Yoga and body-building around the house and I loved to read them and imitate the illustrations. This was way before You Tube, fitness videos and CDs.

This healthy way of living led me to being the first woman to win two national fitness titles in one year.

It makes my heart smile to know that my daughter Marianna follows a passion for being fit and motivating people as a certified fitness professional.

Maria Lauren, AKA Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio

“You are the Architect that reconstructs your body, mind and spirit. You are the Chemist that mixes your own formula for success. You are Scientist that creates your own method. You are the Mathematician that makes your life count.” – Marianna Riccio

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No matter where I traveled… I brought fitness and health with me. There was a big chunk of time where I worked as an Entertainer but I always made exercise part of my daily routine.

Most of my showbiz adventures were shared by my sister, Linda. We (Alberici Sisters) wrote a book about it! Beyond Our Wildest Dreams, captures backstage stories of the entertainment icons with whom my sister and performed.

My Kaiser Permanente Journey… started over fifteen years ago in Los Angeles at the Sherman Terrace location. At this facility, I taught body/mind techniques to patients in pain medication rehabilitation.

Then, I brought fitness to the Kaiser Permanente location in Woodland Hills, where I taught the nurses working the night shift. Word got around and I was easily persuaded to teach a variety of exercise classes to the patients and other employees there.

Presently, I am leading fitness classes at the Panorama City, Mission Hills and Santa Clarita facilities. Here, I am proud to be a part of a wonderful team and the members in my classes make my day! We share a sense of family and for this I am grateful.

Hope your Holidays are full of grateful moments.

Be well and be fit,

Maria Lauren, AKA Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio

Your Powerful LIFE blog

My Website

This is a blog about LIFE: Living, Inspiration, Fitness, Entertainment. It is produced in my own time and solely reflects my personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated. All content is copyrighted.

 

Healthy alternative for Pizza lovers – “Piz-za-my-heart!”

Non-gluten, Non-dairy Vegan Pizza

“Non-gluten,” “Non-dairy” and “Vegan” have become the new buzzwords! For me, it’s nothing new. I was raised on a vegetarian diet before it became “Hip.” When I was growing up, a good meal was a plate full of meat and potatoes but not for me and my eight siblings.

It’s easy for me to embrace a cauliflower-crusted pizza with dairy-less cheese but I do have high standards. It better taste good too! Of course, when it’s made with love by someone you love, that’s the best with a “Piz-za my heart!”

My daughter, Marianna, made me the delicious pizza pictured above. It is low in carbohydrates, which means low in sugar. So, if you are prone to Diabetes, this is the pizza for you! This amazing pizza is made with all plant-based ingredients.

For us, the crisper the cauliflower crust, the better. It was topped with a cashew-based Alfredo sauce, fresh vegetables, and Burata-style buffalo mozzarella vegan cheese made mostly of coconuts.

A trip to our local Farmer’s Market

Mother and daughter selfie! Marianna Riccio and Maria Lauren

We found most of the produce for our pizza, including three kinds of basal, at our local Farmer’s Market!

Grazing through the Farmer’s Market is always a fun mother/daughter expedition for us.

It’s an adventure to explore the variety of fruits and vegetables that are on display. If the vendors offer us free samples, we are eager to reply, ‘Yes, please!’ 🙂

It’s fun to support your local farmers. Try being creative in your food preparations and enjoy healthy, delicious alternatives to eating.

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EXTRA! EXTRA! EAT ALL THE PIZZA!

NO GUILT Non-Dairy, Non-Gluten RECIPE …

~ Start with Trader Joe’s Pizza Crust (Check the link for cooking instructions).

Take the Cauliflower Crust out of the oven and put your favorite ingredients on top. 

First, my daughter, Marianna used a dollop of Victoria’s Vegan Alfredo Sauce in the middle of the pizza and lightly brushed it around the pizza in a circular motion.

Then, she added sautéed portabella mushrooms and white onions on top of the sauce and placed raw sliced heirloom tomatoes with purple, green, and lemon basil, a colorful display! Sparingly, she scattered bite-size pieces of vegan Miyoka’s Mozzarella Cheese on top with just a few sprays of Olive Oil Spray. Broil for a few minutes more until the edges of the pizza begin to turn brown. Buon Appetito!

Thanks to my daughter, Marianna for this healthy and tasty treat!

Healthfully yours,

Maria Lauren, AKA Maria Elena Alberici

Your Powerful LIFE blog

My Website

Marianna Riccio and Maria Lauren are certified fitness and health professionals

This is a blog about LIFE: Living, Inspiration, Fitness, Entertainment. It is produced in my own time and solely reflects my personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated. All content is copyrighted.