Tag: Weight Loss

25
Mar
2013

Red Chili Chicken (Crock Pot Recipe)

categories: Crock Pot Recipes, Main Dishes

hatch chili chicken tostada words My favorite type of recipe is a healthy, fast, versatile one.  By versatile, I mean, one that has ingredients that can be used in many different meals during the week.  Taking the time to figure out recipes that are symbiotic, is worth the time it takes to plan.

This recipe starts with lean chicken breasts that are cooked via crock pot in a delicious red chili sauce.  The chicken is then shredded and can be used for a multitude of dinners and lunches.  Really, the delicious possibilities are endless.  Pictured at the left, is a mouth-watering chicken tostada.  The shell is spritzed with a fine mist of olive oil, then baked at 350 for 10 minutes, flipping once.  I layered it with 1 tablespoon of a clean (no chemicals added) store-bought guacamole, the featured chicken, tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of cheddar jack cheese and pickled red onions.  Seriously, you HAVE to try pickled red onions if you haven’t.  Not only are they extremely easy to make, they are D-LISH-US!  AND you can reuse them later in the week on a chicken lime cilantro burger.

This recipe makes a lot.  So be prepared to use it in several meals, or freeze a portion for a later date.

(adapted from a Bon Appetit braised pork recipe)

3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 large new mexican dried chilis

2 tablespoons agave

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 large onion, chopped

3 large garlic cloves, chopped coarsely

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 can Tecate beer

Place chilis in a medium bowl.  Add enough boiling water to cover, and set something on top of the chilis to weigh them down in the water.  Keep submerged for 30 minutes or until softened.  Drain chilis and puree in blender with 1 cup of the soaking liquid.  Put all the ingredients, including the red chili mixture, in the crock pot, except chicken.  Mix well and then add chicken.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the chicken will shred easily.  Shred with two forks and add back the cooking liquid till the chicken is moist again.

Use the shredded chicken to make the tostadas above, or chicken lettuce tacos, chicken taquitos, pulled chicken sandwiches, quesadillas on wheat tortillas, inside of an omelet, I could seriously go on and on.  If you think of another great use put it in the comments below!

19
Mar
2013

9 Reasons to Drink Green Tea Everyday

categories: Fit Tips
  1. It’s an excellent source of antioxidants
  2. It burns fat and enables you to exercise longer
  3. It prolongs your life
  4. It lowers stress and boosts brain power
  5. It reduces high blood pressure
  6. It helps to protect your liver from alcohol
  7. It prevents tooth decay and cures bad breath
  8. It helps to preserve and build bones
  9. It boosts your immunity against illness

Source:  http://every-single-moment-counts.tumblr.com/post/3247896137

15
Mar
2013

Delicious Green Smoothie

categories: Smoothies

green I added delicious into the name for two reasons.  First,  because it is.  Second, because most people hear green smoothie and immediately they decide it can’t be good.  I then go on to tell them there is spinach and peanut butter in and it.  That is when they start running.  To the doubters I say, “Stop being a wuss and try it!”.  Maybe that was a little harsh.  No never mind, definitely not.

This protein, fiber, iron, flavor packed smoothie is really good.  Everyone I have ever made it for continues making it at home once they try it.  Bonus:  it’s quick and easy to make and clean up is a snap.  It can replace an entire meal.  I will drink it after a workout to rebuild broken down muscles.  So put your big girl/boy underwear on and try it.  You’ll thank me, I promise.

6 oz. almond milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 banana for women, 1 whole banana for men

1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (or pb2*, almond butter is another great alternative)

1 tablespoon FiProFlax* (see note below)

1 big handful of spinach

1/2 cup of crushed ice

Put the ingredients in the blender in the order listed, except for the ice.  Puree the mixture till smooth (there will be small bits of spinach in a regular blender).  Add the ice and blend until it is the smoothest your blender can muster.  Mine will leave small chunks, but I am fine with that.  Drink and pass on the recipe once you realize how awesome it is.

*You can find FiProFlax and PB2 on Amazon.

fiproflax

Benefits of flax seed:

  • Lower blood cholesterol
  • Reduce viscosity of blood
  • Lower arterial blood pressure
  • Prevent colon and breast cancer
  • Improve mood
  • Diminish allergies                
  • Produce healthier skin

27
Feb
2013

Throw out the contents of your pantry and fridge! (I’m only half kidding)

categories: Health Tips

Isn’t that what you are supposed to do if you want to lose weight?  Personally, I don’t think doing a tyrannical sweep of your pantry is going to solve your problem.  Why?  Wasting food, even though I don’t consider chips and cookies food, isn’t reality.  You probably worked hard to buy whatever you have.  So, if throwing it out in a fit of healthy rage isn’t in the cards, oh well.  BUT, if you are really serious about losing weight or becoming a healthier version of you, don’t buy it anymore.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone.  If it isn’t in the house, you won’t eat it.  You will transition into a healthier lifestyle and have a better chance of staying on track.  For some people the cold turkey method does work. If it doesn’t work for you, this approach will ease you in.

Weight loss is 80% of what you eat and only 20% based off of your workout.  If you are serious about making changes, make them permanent.  If you are looking for a ‘diet’, you will most definitely lose weight, but you will find it again and be right back to where you started.  Trust me, I’ve been there.  I would take the weight off with the latest trendy diet, then it would come back to haunt me when I discovered carbs again.  If you learn how food works, and what to eat, you can splurge occasionally.  You have to look at the indulgent foods as treats, not something you nourish yourself with.

So, what should you have  in your pantry and fridge?  Keeping the items below on hand, will help you change your eating habits.

Fridge:

Almond milk

Olive Oil mayo

String Cheese

Almond Butter

Smart Balance Butter

Ground Turkey or Pork

Chicken Thighs or Breasts

mustard

Dill Pickles

Low Sodium Chicken Broth

Parmesan Cheese (not in the green container)

Natural Bliss Creamer or Half n Half

Eggs (preferable organic)

Spinach

Bell Peppers (any color)

Cauliflower

garlic

Greek Yogurt

Turkey lunch meat (one without preservatives if possible)

Kale

Romain Lettuce

mushrooms

onion

Pantry

Apples

Grape Fruit

Bananas

Natural Peanut Butter

Protein Powder

Low Carb whole wheat tortillas

Dark chocolate

A multivitamin

almonds, cashews, peanuts, not roasted

coconut milk

protein bars

quinoa

brown rice

High Protein High Fiber multi-grain Cereal (that is actually what mine is called, by Eating Right)

Whole Grain Pasta or Barilla Plus Pastas

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive Oil

Sea Salt (fine)

Black Pepper Grinder

Green Tea bags

Whole Grain Bread or Whole Grain Extra Fiber Bread

Spices (they add flavor without fat)

Dates