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Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes and Pesto

Posted on September 12 by
in Blog
Ingredients
 
For the Pesto:
1 cup packed fresh basil
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
kosher salt & pepper to taste
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 
For the zoodles:
4 small zucchinis
1 cup heirloom grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
 
Instructions
 
In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.
Slowly add the olive oil while pulsing. Set aside.
Spiralize the zucchini, cut it into smaller strands if they are too long and place them in a work bowl.
Toss with the pesto and tomatoes and season with salt and pepper as needed.
If you like leftovers, add some chicken sausage or meatballs, heat and serve.
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Anti-Inflammatory Shake

Posted on September 09 by
in Blog
8 oz of unsweetened flaxseed milk
2 TBSP of cocoa powder
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (with Stevia)
½ cup of dark frozen cherries
 
(You can use frozen fruit or add ice according to desired thickness.)
 
Flax, raw cocoa and cherries are high in ORAC value. An ORAC value is the antioxidant value, also known as oxygen radical absorbance capacity.
A minimal intake of ORAC units is 5000 units per day.
 
Dark chocolate has an ORAC value of 20,816
Flaxseed has an ORAC value of 19,600
Dark cherries have an ORAC value of 1,500
 
Also….. flax is high in omega-3 fatty acids, cherries contain anthocyanin and cocoa contains flavanols, all of which help fight inflammation naturally.
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Exercising Fasted

Posted on September 08 by
in Blog
 
• By skipping breakfast and working out on an empty stomach, you will have a better working memory in the mid-afternoon and have less mental fatigue and tension later in the day.
• The timing of breakfast impacts your body’s responses to exercise. Exercising in a fasted state improves glucose and insulin parameters, lowering your risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
• Skipping breakfast before exercise helps curb food intake for the remainder of the day, resulting in an overall energy deficit of about 400 calories.
• By skipping breakfast and working out on an empty stomach, you will have a better working memory in the midafternoon and have less mental fatigue and tension later in the day.
• Fasted exercise is particularly effective for fat loss. Previous research has shown aerobic training in a fasted state lowers both total body weight and body fat percentage, while exercising in a fed state decreases total weight only.
• Fasted exercise may also boost growth hormone and testosterone production, help prevent depression and optimize tissue regeneration.
• If you need to eat prior to exercise, consume whey protein (20 grams) 30 to 60 minutes before resistance training to boost your body's metabolism for as much as 24 hours after your workout.
• After an intense work out, follow up with a high-quality protein meal to prevent muscle wasting and promote repair.
 
 
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September is National Self Improvement Month

Posted on September 02 by
in Blog
September is National Self Improvement Month, and that means if you've been looking for a reason to set new goals, drop bad habits, eliminate negative thinking, and improve yourself - now is your time!

Self-improvement does not mean you will break down all your faults and flood your mind with negative self-talk. Instead, it is an opportunity to reflect on and assess where you could improve and how you are taking care of yourself.

I hope you enjoy this issue filled with my favorite tips to inspire my clients' physical, mental, and spiritual growth!

8 Ways to Invest in Yourself
  1. Wake up earlier and get moving! Researchers found that people who exercise first in the morning are more likely to stay with their routine. We know life gets busy and unplanned things happen. Therefore, morning exercise is a way to remain consistent. Not only does a morning workout boost metabolism, but it also helps clear your mind and increase focus and productivity.
  2. Start (or ramp up) an exercise routine. September is the perfect time to reassess your current workout and exercise routine. Is there something you can do to improve your current level of physical strength and stamina? Mixing up the type of exercises you are doing is a good place to start. If your typical workout plan consists of weight training, consider ramping things up by adding cardio intervals. If cardio is your jam, challenge yourself to hit the weights. Regardless of where you are starting, take a baseline assessment so you can record your progress!
  3. Live sober this September. Not only do the calories from alcohol add to your waistline, but they can also inhibit your willpower to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Going sober in September is the perfect way to kick off your self-improvement journey. Do a quick google search, and you'll see that sober September is a movement sweeping the nation.
  4. Eat more plants. A simple way to dive into your self-improvement journey is to eat more plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Challenge yourself to include at least one cup of vegetables at every meal and snack. Use a journal to record changes you notice in energy, sleep, bowel movements, cravings, skin, mental clarity, and performance. How could consuming more plants change the way you think, feel, and live?
  5. Expand your practice of mindfulness with food, movement, and life. Use mindfulness to reconnect with yourself and understand the nutrition, energy, taste, flavor, activity, and rest your body needs to thrive. By slowing down and tuning out external distractions, you're re-teaching your body how to listen and honor what it needs for optimal health and prosperity. Meditation helps facilitate mindfulness by centering your attention. When you clear your mind of external distractions and stressors, you can return to a state of calmness and focused thinking.
  6. Take up a new hobby, sign up for a class, or enroll in a workshop. Exploring new hobbies and skills can give you something exciting to anticipate. With the abundance of online training resources, there is no reason you cannot begin those piano or art classes you've always dreamed of taking!
  7. Seek the expertise and guidance of a professional who can help you on your journey. As you embark upon the journey of self-improvement, remember you don't have to go it alone! Don't be afraid to ask for help, reach out to family and friends for support.
  8. Step out of your comfort zone often! One sure way to guarantee you will never grow stagnant or get bored is to force yourself to step out of your comfort zone frequently. The word 'force' was used because it is human nature to resist stepping into new territory and doing the unknown. However, to grow and evolve into the best version of yourself, you cannot be afraid of change. Changing up your routine and stepping into the uncomfortable is one of the best ways to improve yourself!
10 Empowering Self Improvement Tips

Think of Self Improvement Month as a personal health check-up and use September as a catalyst for self-reflection. Be honest with yourself about current habits and lifestyle choices you are making. Remember, you have the power to make choices that improve your life. Here are a few more ways to invest in your own self improvement:
  1. Make a vision board to keep you focused on your goals.
  2. Dive into a book that empowers positive change.
  3. Participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
  4. Spend time outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and soak up some sunlight.
  5. Engage in work you are passionate about, which can include volunteer work or a hobby and your career.
  6. Carve out time to meditate, relax, and release your worries.
  7. Cultivate relationships that encourage you to laugh more and complain less.
  8. Fill your mind with positive thoughts to promote optimism.
  9. Take a break from technology. Too much screen time is linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety. While you might not be able to unplug entirely, you can set boundaries. Those boundaries are essential for your mental health and well-being.
  10. Practice daily gratitude, and consider investing in a gratitude journal. (Consider keeping a gratitude journal in the bathroom or bedroom for you to journal OR for you and your significant other to write why you are grateful for each other)
Featured Recipe
Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry




Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive or coconut oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1-19 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 small cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 3/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk
  • 10 sprigs cilantro, chopped


Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and sauté until they start to brown. Stir in curry powder, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, ginger, sugar, and salt. Stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add chickpeas, cauliflower, and peas. Stir in broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender. Remove from heat.
Remove bay leaf. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

(If you want a lower carb dish, simply omit the green peas)

Serves 8

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