Intermission with Chef Vic Vegas

Spring in Las Vegas: The Real Deal or Another Bluff?

It looks like Las Vegas is finally warming up—but is spring truly here, or are we experiencing another classic “Spring Bluff”?

Spring Bluff (noun): “When Mother Nature plays a joke on Las Vegas, teasing us with warm days before abruptly flipping back to cold.”

If you’ve lived here long enough, you know exactly what I mean! But now, with the real deal finally upon us, many of us are sticking to our health regimens, while others are embracing a new, healthier way of life. And then, of course, there are those who are perfectly content enjoying life as it comes—no judgment there!

With so many incredible dining options both on and off the Strip, I have one simple question: What are you eating at home?

Making the Right Choice When Eating Out

We all have those days where our schedules are packed, leaving little time for home cooking. So, when you need to grab something quick, are you making the right choice? Not just a good choice, but the right choice for your body and lifestyle?

Yes, indulging in great food is part of life, but there are ways to eat clean even when dining out. Something as simple as ditching half the bun can be a step in the right direction. I’ll dive deeper into healthy ordering hacks in a future article, but today, I want to share my personal regimen—a routine that has transformed my body, mind, and overall well-being over the last few years.

My Simple Yet Effective Daily Regimen

At least five days a week, I follow a straightforward yet powerful routine that keeps me on track:

Cold Shock Therapy – I start my day with a blast of cold—not my actual shower, but an intentional wake-up call. Whether it’s a quick cold shower or an ice bath, this jolts my system and gets my blood flowing.

Hydration & Nutrients – After that, I have healthy coffee followed by warm water with lemon and clove to aid digestion and kickstart my metabolism.

Morning Reps – Before my hot shower, I complete 100 reps of whatever exercise I feel like doing that day.

Intermittent Fasting or Green Juice – If I’m fasting, I stick to water until dinner. If not, I enjoy a nutrient-packed green juice during the day.

Pre-Prepped Dinner – When it’s time to eat, I look forward to a well-balanced, pre-prepped meal, which helps me stay committed to my goals and avoid last-minute unhealthy choices.

What’s on My Plate?

For dinner, I focus on a nutrient-dense meal with:

Lean protein (grilled with olive oil, nitrate-free, and low in sodium)
Beta-carotene-rich starches (like sweet potatoes)
Healthy grains (like quinoa)
Fresh, fibrous vegetables

If I’ve already had a green juice, I skip the salad. If I haven’t, I make sure to include a fiber-rich salad in my meal.

Mindful Eating & Long-Term Success

After dinner, I keep things light with either watermelon or another hydrating fruit. Some nights, I extend my fast until the next day, allowing my body to rest and reset.

Meal Prep Pro Tips

• Stick to 72 hours’ worth of meal prep (anything beyond that can lose freshness).
• Avoid freezing cooked fish—instead, prep your sides in advance and cook the fish fresh.
• If you must microwave a meal, add a tablespoon of water and stir every 30 seconds for a fresher taste.

From 310 lbs. to 215 lbs.: My Health Journey

Looking back at my time on Food Network Star, I was 265+ lbs.—not to mention, I once hit my highest weight at 310 lbs. in 1999. Today, I’m leaner, stronger, and just a few pounds away from my goal of 210 lbs.

This transformation wasn’t about quick fixes—it was about consistency. Five days a week, I stay disciplined. On the weekends, I let loose and indulge in my favorite foods. The best part? When you eat clean most of the time, your taste buds reset, and those decadent meals taste even better!

Where to Find Healthy Options in Las Vegas

When I don’t have time to meal prep, I rely on these go-to healthy spots:

Salad and Go
Chop Stop
Nekter Juice Bar
SunLife Organics
The Juice Standard
Pressed for Juice
Greens and Proteins
Protein House

They’re all doing it right—so check them out when you need a quick and nutritious meal!

What’s Next?

BIG NEWS: We’re amping up our food coverage! Real Eats by Chef Vic is about to get sizzling, and in the next edition, we’ll be featuring some of the best restaurants across Las Vegas. Stay tuned!

Until then, cheers to a healthier, happier lifestyle—whatever that means for YOU!