Dari Alexander's Quick and Clean Diet

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Get a fresh start with Dari Alexander's Quick and Clean diet

News anchor and author wants you to hit the reset button

Let’s face it, New Year diet resolutions can be tough to keep. They always seem like a good idea but after a few days life resumes as normal and the next thing you know it you're back to eating pizza.

But we have a simple and achievable plan to help you reach a happy and healthy new you in 2013.

A new book called Quick and Clean Diet: Lose the Weight, Feel Great, and Stay Lean for Life by New York's FOX 5 anchor Dari Alexander is about finding a healthy relationship with food. It’s balancing what you love with what’s good for you.

The diet begins with thinking about what you put into your body.

"I love healthy food. I have a serious appreciation for it and it always seems underrated," Alexander said musing over what inspired her to write this book.

She says the key to success is try picking foods that have been processed minimally. Consider good carbs, lean proteins, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and water. The diet is a learning process and is broken down into easy to follow steps--from the types of food to grocery shopping, and finally how to prepare your meals. It’s all about seeing food differently.

The diet consists of three phases: a high motivation segment which begins your quick weight loss; the grounding segment which allows you to introduce new foods into your diet while still losing weight; and the stability segment teaches you how to eat well for the rest of your life. This three step process consists of amazing recipes that will help you achieve that very attainable goal.

Alexander says, ""My heart really went into each one of these recipes. I hope it shows when people try them at home."

When given the choice to pick her favorite she went with the shrimp taco lettuce wraps, then the crispy kale with maple glazed shallots, the sizzling mini pork tacos, and finally the pineapple margarita. As you can see each recipe is even more delicious than the last.

No wonder it’s difficult to pick just one.

Recipe: Shrimp Taco Lettuce Wraps

Recipe: Sizzling Mini Pork Tacos

Starting a diet in the winter can be difficult, so she recommends hot and satisfying meals, such as soup. Another tip is to puree your vegetables; cook them and place them in a food processor with herbs, spices, and a little olive oil. The result is something rich and creamy without any of the guilt.

But Alexander says it's okay to indulge every once in a while. Life is too short to not take pleasure in the things you love.

"I always pick good quality tequila. If you are going to  indulge make it count," she says. For her, it’s not just about the cocktails--it's also the guacamole and bacon.

One last tip: Remember that diets are all mental. If you believe you can do it then you will.