Top Blogger Award ~Free Apron~

So exciting today! I received my award for Top Blogger, my free Apron from FOODISTA.COM



THANK YOU so much for finding my blog! I really appreciate it and I can't wait to wear it!

Lean Turkey Meatloaf & Sweet Potato ~Crock Pot~

Lean Turkey Meatloaf with side Sweet Potato, reading my Classic French Cookbook....... some inspiration & time for some new recipes, maybe Coq Au Vin or Beef Bourguignon (my rendition of course). Anyway, this is a great recipe I put together early this morning then I was off to work while my dinner was slowly cooking! My Slow Cooker always comes in handy for a busy day of training clients.

I know the last thing I want to do when I get home is start my dinner from scratch or not have a plan. Try this recipe and of course you can add anything you like to it, like mushrooms, fresh spinach or tomato sauce inside & on top.



20.8 oz of Lean Ground Turkey
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal
1 Fresh Grated Carrot
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (to taste)
1/3 Cup Egg Whites or 2 Large Whole Eggs
Garlic Powder to taste
Fresh Chopped Parsley
1 Large Sweet Potato (on side)


Photo is before cooking. The meatloaf does brown in the slow cooker and the potatoes do also!

Mix all ingredients, spray slow cooker with Olive Oil mist or Pam, shape meatloaf, wash and cube sweet potato place along sides, then turn on your slow cooker to either low heat or high depending on how long you want it to take. High heat is a few hours. Bon Appétit!

The Athlete's Palate

What an amazing breakfast I threw together this morning! I had a great training session this morning and then I prepared my breakfast. I made a 4 oz. Lean Turkey Burger and a huge plate of Broccoli, Zucchini, chopped Green Pepper. I sauteed the Vegetables with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil and topped them with some Crushed Red Pepper and Toasted Sesame Seeds, along with a hot cup of Black Tea. Tasted wonderful, truly a "Power Meal".





Pre-workout was a Green Apple and Oatmeal with cinnamon with my Coffee. I get up between 3:30am & 4:00am on a daily basis, and train early so my real breakfast is usually my second meal of the day. I love fueling my body after a great training session. My son will be home from college this weekend, so excited to start training again together!

Vegetable Medley & Broiled Tilapia with Macadamia Nut Oil

Last nights dinner was sauteed Mushrooms with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a few Garlic cloves then I topped them off with some Fresh Parsley. Rob has been away so whatever is leftover from dinner I usually heat and serve as my lunch or mini meal the next day. The leftover mushrooms are great for my morning omelet too.





I also seared some fresh Escarole with Extra Virgin Olive Oil a little fresh Garlic. I decided to add some roughly chopped Fresh Carrots and a little zest of Fresh Lemon. I have been incorporating carrots lately with my salads and cooked vegetables. They are also great sauteed plain or glazed with some Agave Nectar.







If you haven't already tried the Gourmet Flavored Organic Agave Nectar (Pure Almond), please try this product! It has an amazing taste, perfect with Greek Yogurt and chopped Pecans. It also tastes wonderful in hot Tea. Dissolves well in hot & cold beverages. When my son comes home from college he uses it all the time, we love it!




Broiled Tilapia drizzled with some Macadamia Nut Oil, a dash of White Wine and Fresh Lemon.



Macadamia Nut Oil is truly healthy and has become famous among the chefs across the world. Macadamia Nut oil can be used for preparing omelets, pancakes and baked goods. It is also widely in use as a substitute of olive oil. Macadamia Nut oil consists of 80 % mono-saturated fats. The oil has no trans–fatty acids and the rate of saturated fat is comparatively low. So, it is the best way of enhancing heart’s health. For sugar regulation and controlling diabetes, Macadamia Nut oil is highly used.

Lemon Chicken & Mixed Salad

The Perfect Lunch! I am such a fresh freak it's not even funny! I love when all my vegetables are washed and prepared for my busy lifestyle! When I stop home between training sessions I always whip up a great meal. Today was a large fresh salad of Romaine, Red Cabbage, Red Peppers, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots & Zucchini.





I roasted a few chicken breasts very early in the morning, with fresh Herbs & Lemon, then put aside for my meals. Of course I added a fresh Lemon from my Meyer Lemon Tree! Now that is fresh! It was so amazing! I added a fresh slice to my water too! Lemon Water is a great refreshing beverage. There are basic lifestyle habits that are important to incorporate into your daily life, and this is certainly one of them. However, I am talking about organic lemons that are tree ripened. My Tree is growing like crazy!


Another Item you might want to try is White Balsamic Vinegar, I highly recommend it. White balsamic vinegar is milder and less sweet than regular Balsamic Vinegar and is often considered more suitable for use with salad dressings, since it does not have a strong flavor that can be overpowering when used on salad greens. Lemon Chicken & Mixed Vegetable Salad!

Bok Choy

I have been on an Asian kick lately! Bok Choy, this leafy Chinese staple is the perfect compliment to your favorite protein or perfect plain as a side vegetable. This low calorie cabbage can be steamed, stir fried or boiled. Packed with vitamins A and C and calcium, it aids recovery and maintains bone health.


I stir fry this with sesame oil, a few cloves of crushed garlic, low sodium soy-sauce and top with fresh ground Ginger (Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. Now, science is catching up and researchers around the world are finding that Ginger works wonders in the treatment of everything from cancer to migraines).

I can't rave enough about it! I sometimes add chunks of sauteed chicken, strips of flank steak or shrimp! Familiarize yourself with this hearty vegetable, I am sure it will not disappoint! You can even add the greens to your chicken soup, I love it that way! Enjoy!

Filet Mignon Stir Fry - Health Benefits of Red Meat -

2 Filet Mignon Medallions
Fresh Green Squash (Julienne Cut)
Fresh Yellow Squash (Julienne Cut)
Fresh Carrots (Julienne Cut)
Fresh String Beans
1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
2 Cloves Garlic (crushed)
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
Fresh Ginger


This is a great easy, quick and healthy recipe I put together this week. I had two medallions of filet mignon left over in the fridge. I julienned green squash, yellow squash, carrots and fresh string beans.

First I added one (1) tablespoon of Sesame oil and two (2) cloves of garlic to my skillet, sauteed a bit, added fresh vegetables and some water on high heat, covered a bit. Then removed vegetables (to prevent overcooking) and added sliced filet mignon (do not overcook) heated quick and added vegetables back into skillet.

I added some low sodium soy sauce and fresh ginger. It was fantastic! You can serve with brown rice or whole wheat angel hair pasta. This dish replaces the high fat, high calorie Chinese Take-out, and probably faster than ordering out. Enjoy!

Health Benefits of Red Meat

There are innumerable health benefits of eating meat, to say, for example, it serves as a fabulous source of high quality proteins, which a single vegetarian food is not able to provide. It contains all the essential amino acids that the body requires.

Red meat contains very high quantities of iron, when compared with plant origin foods. 100 grams of Liver contains 6000 mcgm of iron as against 325 mcgm in 100-gram carrots. As a child I was anemic and my mom prepared liver once per week for me to build me up. Along with the proper rest and diet I was fine.

The phosphorus content present in meat gets much more easily absorbed than that present in cereals and legumes. This is owing to the fact that cereals and legumes contain phosphorus, usually in the form of phytic acid that must be hydrolyzed before absorption. Meat also serves as the main source for the intake of vitamin B12.

Though meat is rich in nutrients, but, there are certain things that meat lacks in. It doesn't contain any kind of fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system in order. Red Meat paired with Fresh Vegetables is a fabulous medley!

Virgin Pomatini

Pomegranate Juice is nature’s most powerful antioxidant, it has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce blood pressure and plaque build up.



The Holiday Season is on it's way soon! That means family gatherings, company parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and New Year's Eve celebrations. You might want an alternative to an alcoholic drink to help keep your hands busy so you can enjoy the festivities. A switch from Club Soda with Lime.

Try a Virgin Pomatini: Pomegranate juice topped with club soda and a twist of lime. Or you can try this; I take it a step further, I like to add fresh squeezed Orange juice (Vitamin C, Folate, etc.) to Pomegranate Juice and crushed ice, shaken, then poured into my martini glass, garnished with an orange slice topped with a splash of club. It's tastes incredible and is very nutritious.

If you're hosting the party, don't forget fun garnishes and classic glassware. I love my Silver & Lavender Tumbler!

Twists of lemon and lime, sprigs of mint, orange slices, quartered slices of grapefruit, maraschino cherries, and chunks of pineapple and mango on party picks can add flair to mocktails and help nondrinkers feel included in the party atmosphere.

And any drink feels more festive when served in a fun glass, whether it's a sleek-looking martini glass or a sharp tumbler.

Mocktails might just be the coolest drinks at the party. When all else fails and you just must start "Drinking on that Personality" throw in a shot of Grey Goose or top with Champagne! Trust me I've been there! Enjoy!

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips

I love this recipe! You can also use panko bread crumbs and 2 egg whites in place of the fat free milk. Fresh tomato & basil sauce on the side for dipping.

We have them several times a month. Crispy veggie chips are a tasty alternative to fries. Japanese Eggplants in place of the Zucchini works well also!

Ingredients

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
Olive Oil Cooking spray
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated slices on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately.

Meat Loaf Muffins

Sit down to a meat loaf in a half hour with this recipe. Serve with steamed green beans and roasted sweet potato wedges. You can also use Lean Ground Turkey. Be creative add to it what you like. Perfectly portioned!

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 2 "muffins")
Ingredients
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
1 cup finely chopped Onion
1/2 cup finely chopped Carrot
1 teaspoon dried Oregano
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1 cup Ketchup, divided
1 1/2 pounds Ground Beef, extra lean (raw)
1 cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.

Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.

Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Green Tea Time

Green Tea is rich in the powerful antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a compound that belongs to the polyphenol family of antioxidants. Researchers are continually finding more benefits associated with EGCG. In fact, EGCG has been found to have twice the benefits of antioxidants in red wine. Green, oolong and black teas all come from the same tea plant. Camellia Sinensis. Green Tea leaves, however, are steamed rather than fermented, preventing EGCG from being oxidized.



Every afternoon I enjoy Tea Time. Green or Black tea is my favorite. I use a ceramic tea pot and let it steep for a few minutes. I usually enjoy a slice of Ezekiel Toast with Blueberry preserves or some Almond Butter or both! I picked up a Meyer Lemon Tree on Saturday, I can't wait to add my own fresh lemon to it!


Brewing a perfect cup of Green Tea ~ To fully appreciate the 100 percent natural antioxidant-rich Green Tea, heat fresh cold water to the boiling point. Use one tea bag per cup and steep for two to four minutes, according to taste. Relax and enjoy!