This month I am really trying to challenge myself, taking my fitness to the next level so what group better than the Navy Seals to turn to?! After reviewing and researching their workouts not only was I super excited to start adding some new moves to my regime but more than happy to learn that next to NO EQUIPMENT was required!!!!!
So here is this week’s training program! All my training has been done outside or in my bedroom with some light dumbbells and a pull-up bar!
Monday:
35 minute Run
6 rounds all till failure (oh and how each set gets tougher and tougher!!!!)
Basic Push-Up
Sit-Ups
Assisted Pull-Ups (I put a chair under me and use one leg to push-off for assistance)
Tuesday:
5 mile Run
Spider Push-Ups
Renegade Rows
Diagonal lunges w/bicep curls
Core:
Weighted Sit-Up
V-Ups
Super mans
Mountain Climbers
Wednesday:
15 min light Jog
15 sets of extremely steep steps
At the top of each stair sprint I would drop down and do sit-ups, then V-ups, and then performed reverse pull-ups with the stair railing at the top
Then Performed the following circuit 3X:
Triceps Dip (off bench next to stair case)
15 burpees
15 Speed Skater Jumps
This short workout sure kicked my booty!
Set for the Rest of this Week:
Thursday
8 mile Run
10 sets
Push-ups
(Assisted) Pull-Ups
Sit-Ups
*All exercises will be performed to failure
Friday:
Spin Class & Yoga
Saturday:
Long Run and Core!
Sunday: My Athlete’s Yoga DVD
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Beach Booty Moves 4 Bikini Season:)
My booty used to have about as much curvture as a wall and after being called out for it my freshmen year in college for its flatness I knew I had to do something about it! So through the years I have researched and executed almost any exercise that lent itself to a promise of a rotund bun. So here are some moves that will help firm and bump up those sweet cheeks of yours:
Walking Lunges
Prisoner Squats
Weighted Kickbacks
Sprints Up Hill
Walking on an Incline
Deadlifts (for an extra challenge do one-legged dead lifts and perform off bench)
Plie Squats
Hamstrings curls with a medicine ball
Diagonal Walking lunges
Jump Squats (pushing off with the back of your heels)
Good Mornings
Step Ups (pushing off with your heel)
Split Jumps
Plyometrics
Stair Work
Back Peddling
Spinning
Hope this helps get your rear and gear, it did mine:)
XO,
Gina
Walking Lunges
Prisoner Squats
Weighted Kickbacks
Sprints Up Hill
Walking on an Incline
Deadlifts (for an extra challenge do one-legged dead lifts and perform off bench)
Plie Squats
Hamstrings curls with a medicine ball
Diagonal Walking lunges
Jump Squats (pushing off with the back of your heels)
Good Mornings
Step Ups (pushing off with your heel)
Split Jumps
Plyometrics
Stair Work
Back Peddling
Spinning
Hope this helps get your rear and gear, it did mine:)
XO,
Gina
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Rubber Chicken, Fake Sugar, & No Flavor Food, Why It Doesn't Work
Common Tips found in mainstream media and gyms across the nation:
-Cook your meat all at once and eat it throughout the week
-Avoid Sugar and Sodium at all cost, go with unsalted almonds or have sugar-free syrups added to your drink (which I am guilty of)
-Eat for survival not taste
The Reality of the Matter:
-Chicken that you cook on Sunday tastes like rubber by Wednesday
-Sugar-Free is not usually made of stevia or natural sweeteners but rather made-up of a bunch of fake chemicals
-"Eat for survival" is like saying "Only have sex for child bearing not pleasure"...doesn't work that way....
-I have found that eating so strictly, so tastelessly, and so boringly only works when you are so focused on achieving an athletic goal or are out of your mind its highly unlikely you will keep such a regimen up.
What usually ends up happening to people who try to restrict themselves so severely is that either up binging or yo-yo dieting. Both are terrible!
Some ways to keep your diet yummy yet still super healthy and tummy toned:
-Substitute sugar with Stevia, it’s a totally natural sweetener
-Use Sea Salt instead of regular season salt
-Cook extra meat and veggies at dinner for next day left-overs
-Purchase deli meat or all natural pre-made chicken ready to throw in a salad for lunch
-Get creative with how you cook fish
-Go Spice Crazy
-Use part-skim mozzarella cheese to put on your veggies or egg white omelet
-Freeze your berries or grapes for a sweet treat
-Eat Pop Chips, they are the natural potato chip and oh so tasty
-Make your pancakes with a whole wheat mix and use egg whites over eggs
-Try giving almond milk a go over milk
-Use natural hot coco for a sweet treat
-Use lo-sodium marinara and lo-sodium soy for cooking
-Cook your meat all at once and eat it throughout the week
-Avoid Sugar and Sodium at all cost, go with unsalted almonds or have sugar-free syrups added to your drink (which I am guilty of)
-Eat for survival not taste
The Reality of the Matter:
-Chicken that you cook on Sunday tastes like rubber by Wednesday
-Sugar-Free is not usually made of stevia or natural sweeteners but rather made-up of a bunch of fake chemicals
-"Eat for survival" is like saying "Only have sex for child bearing not pleasure"...doesn't work that way....
-I have found that eating so strictly, so tastelessly, and so boringly only works when you are so focused on achieving an athletic goal or are out of your mind its highly unlikely you will keep such a regimen up.
What usually ends up happening to people who try to restrict themselves so severely is that either up binging or yo-yo dieting. Both are terrible!
Some ways to keep your diet yummy yet still super healthy and tummy toned:
-Substitute sugar with Stevia, it’s a totally natural sweetener
-Use Sea Salt instead of regular season salt
-Cook extra meat and veggies at dinner for next day left-overs
-Purchase deli meat or all natural pre-made chicken ready to throw in a salad for lunch
-Get creative with how you cook fish
-Go Spice Crazy
-Use part-skim mozzarella cheese to put on your veggies or egg white omelet
-Freeze your berries or grapes for a sweet treat
-Eat Pop Chips, they are the natural potato chip and oh so tasty
-Make your pancakes with a whole wheat mix and use egg whites over eggs
-Try giving almond milk a go over milk
-Use natural hot coco for a sweet treat
-Use lo-sodium marinara and lo-sodium soy for cooking
Sunday, March 20, 2011
La Republica Dominicana and Haiti Refugee Camp: Lessons in Love, Passion, and Faith
The First Day I arrived in Viall Vasquez I must say I was initially overwhelmed by the living conditions and a part of my heart broke. However, in a matter of hours those exact feelings seemed to be quickly forgotten and replaced with absolute admiration for the town and its people. The open arms, the love, the beautiful children, the passion, and the peoples' unwavering faith was absolutely incredible.
Church was an unbelievable experience. The music was incredible, the pastor's words unbelievably passionate, but above all it was the village's youth that made the service so great! The children sat up front, the little ones were allowed to roam in the isles and were free to be exactly who they were-which only added more joy.
The place family and faith held in this community truly touched my heart. Children were the prized possessions in this village. These people had next to nothing but that did not stop them from loving and giving their children their absolute all. The way the mothers looked on at their children was truly a beautiful sight to behold. The way the men took responsibility for being the head of the family, the protector, and provider was just awesome. What impressed me was the pride that was taken in being a "Man of God." There was pride in that, there was pride in attending church service, there was pride in the cross that adorned their neck.
The crazy thing is I thought I was going to go without food for a good week or so due to the conditions, however it was quite opposite. I think there will be extra cardio sessions this week due to the fact that a town of humble means would not stop providing me with all the food anyone could ever want. The generosity and hospitality was second to none.
My favorite time was post-dinner when the children would come by to see us. Their laughter was amazing and their spirit so moving! It was so cute how they would try to teach us Spanish! My favorite was when I said: Tengo Venti-Siete Anos and their response was "No Chaquita, No Chaquita!"
The toughest time I had was in the Haitian Refugee camp. The first time we went I struggled to fall asleep that night. Nothing made sense of it to me and the images I couldn't seem to get out my head. The second time we went only made things more difficult for me to understand. I think the hardest part was when I found out one of the mother's asked if we could take their babies. I remember the knot I felt in my stomach. I truly pray that these people receive the resources to survive and for gift of hope. I can only hope the elections go alright and that some act of justice is taken to ensure these people receive the donations that have been made in their name because so much has been withheld.
Even though it was short trip there were times where I did struggle to comprehend and did occasionally find myself wanting to be alone in my thoughts.
The most pivotal and life changing part of the trip for me occurred on the second and last day. On the second day I was working on the church when I saw a man with an LA hat on. I took off running after him, like some silly American tourist asking in my broken for a photo with him to show my friends back home. The guy next to him started laughing and broke out in perfect English. We got to talking long story short, turns out he was a young man who left everything behind in New York to attend to his father's health and help raise his step-children. I truly was moved by his strength. I prayed and prayed I would see him before we left to thank him for sharing his story and express my admiration. On the last day on the way to the Haitian Village we turned down the wrong street, and there he was on the corner with his family. It's a day I will never forget and feel blessed to have been able to meet such a fighter.
Some may call this trip a "relief or mission trip" I call it an unexpected "Self-Help trip." I may have helped lay some concrete, shot some hoops with the local kids, dropped off some stuff for the Haitians but honestly that is nothing-absolutely Nothing. Because the people of Villa Vasquez and experience in the Haitian Village CHANGED MY LIFE. Every person that I met taught me something, showed me love, accepted me, gave me far more than I could ever give them. They taught me humility, passion, love, faith but above all I saw the Face of God in the town and in the people.
Thanks for reading!
Dios Los Bendiga
Church was an unbelievable experience. The music was incredible, the pastor's words unbelievably passionate, but above all it was the village's youth that made the service so great! The children sat up front, the little ones were allowed to roam in the isles and were free to be exactly who they were-which only added more joy.
The place family and faith held in this community truly touched my heart. Children were the prized possessions in this village. These people had next to nothing but that did not stop them from loving and giving their children their absolute all. The way the mothers looked on at their children was truly a beautiful sight to behold. The way the men took responsibility for being the head of the family, the protector, and provider was just awesome. What impressed me was the pride that was taken in being a "Man of God." There was pride in that, there was pride in attending church service, there was pride in the cross that adorned their neck.
The crazy thing is I thought I was going to go without food for a good week or so due to the conditions, however it was quite opposite. I think there will be extra cardio sessions this week due to the fact that a town of humble means would not stop providing me with all the food anyone could ever want. The generosity and hospitality was second to none.
My favorite time was post-dinner when the children would come by to see us. Their laughter was amazing and their spirit so moving! It was so cute how they would try to teach us Spanish! My favorite was when I said: Tengo Venti-Siete Anos and their response was "No Chaquita, No Chaquita!"
The toughest time I had was in the Haitian Refugee camp. The first time we went I struggled to fall asleep that night. Nothing made sense of it to me and the images I couldn't seem to get out my head. The second time we went only made things more difficult for me to understand. I think the hardest part was when I found out one of the mother's asked if we could take their babies. I remember the knot I felt in my stomach. I truly pray that these people receive the resources to survive and for gift of hope. I can only hope the elections go alright and that some act of justice is taken to ensure these people receive the donations that have been made in their name because so much has been withheld.
Even though it was short trip there were times where I did struggle to comprehend and did occasionally find myself wanting to be alone in my thoughts.
The most pivotal and life changing part of the trip for me occurred on the second and last day. On the second day I was working on the church when I saw a man with an LA hat on. I took off running after him, like some silly American tourist asking in my broken for a photo with him to show my friends back home. The guy next to him started laughing and broke out in perfect English. We got to talking long story short, turns out he was a young man who left everything behind in New York to attend to his father's health and help raise his step-children. I truly was moved by his strength. I prayed and prayed I would see him before we left to thank him for sharing his story and express my admiration. On the last day on the way to the Haitian Village we turned down the wrong street, and there he was on the corner with his family. It's a day I will never forget and feel blessed to have been able to meet such a fighter.
Some may call this trip a "relief or mission trip" I call it an unexpected "Self-Help trip." I may have helped lay some concrete, shot some hoops with the local kids, dropped off some stuff for the Haitians but honestly that is nothing-absolutely Nothing. Because the people of Villa Vasquez and experience in the Haitian Village CHANGED MY LIFE. Every person that I met taught me something, showed me love, accepted me, gave me far more than I could ever give them. They taught me humility, passion, love, faith but above all I saw the Face of God in the town and in the people.
Thanks for reading!
Dios Los Bendiga
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Crush Burgers, Shakes, Pop Chips, Pancakes and Reduce the Waist Line!
I love food! I eat all day long and NO I do NOT COUNT CALORIES! With Summer right around the corner here in LA's absolute beautiful South Bay it is time to really get that core and booty tight get that nutrition right. Here are some great high protein, lo-cal, and tasty food options:
Italian Turkey Burgers:
What you will need:
Ground Turkey (97% Fat Free)
Chopped up Spinach
Part-Skim Mozzarella
Garlic Sea Salt
Lo-Sodium Marinara Sauce
What You Do:
Mix in all the ingredients with the lean turkey meat and throw it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes
Cookie Dough and Raspberry Cake Shakes
Cookie Dough Shake:
What you will need:
Muscle Milk Light Cookie Dough
No sugar added Hot Coco packet
Ice
Water
Blender
What you do:
Ladies mix 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Men mix 2 scoops of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Raspberry Cake Shakes
What you will need:
Muscle Milk Light Cake Batter
1/2 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup of raspberries
Ice
Water
Blender
What you do:
Ladies mix 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Men mix 2 scoops of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Crush Pop Chips!
Why? Because they are Amazing, lo-cal, and filling...oh and did I mention all natural and Ashton Kutcher loves them too! Check Pop Chips Facebook Site out at http://www.facebook.com/popchips to read up on their wonders and fun promotions!
By the way Ashton is looking for a partner in crime to take on the streets of LA informing everyone of the wonders of these nutritious snacks here's the video for those that might be interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3OMdPMqGU
Pancakes oh how I love them!
What you need:
Oatmeal pancake mix
Egg Substitutes
Stevia
What You Do:
Mix all the ingredients and throw in on the skillet
For taste you can add the following:
Pumpkin Spice
Blue Agave Honey as a syrup
Natural Butter with cinnamon
Blueberries or strawberries for a topping
Enjoy:)
Italian Turkey Burgers:
What you will need:
Ground Turkey (97% Fat Free)
Chopped up Spinach
Part-Skim Mozzarella
Garlic Sea Salt
Lo-Sodium Marinara Sauce
What You Do:
Mix in all the ingredients with the lean turkey meat and throw it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes
Cookie Dough and Raspberry Cake Shakes
Cookie Dough Shake:
What you will need:
Muscle Milk Light Cookie Dough
No sugar added Hot Coco packet
Ice
Water
Blender
What you do:
Ladies mix 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Men mix 2 scoops of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Raspberry Cake Shakes
What you will need:
Muscle Milk Light Cake Batter
1/2 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup of raspberries
Ice
Water
Blender
What you do:
Ladies mix 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Men mix 2 scoops of Muscle Milk Light with all the ingredients
Crush Pop Chips!
Why? Because they are Amazing, lo-cal, and filling...oh and did I mention all natural and Ashton Kutcher loves them too! Check Pop Chips Facebook Site out at http://www.facebook.com/popchips to read up on their wonders and fun promotions!
By the way Ashton is looking for a partner in crime to take on the streets of LA informing everyone of the wonders of these nutritious snacks here's the video for those that might be interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3OMdPMqGU
Pancakes oh how I love them!
What you need:
Oatmeal pancake mix
Egg Substitutes
Stevia
What You Do:
Mix all the ingredients and throw in on the skillet
For taste you can add the following:
Pumpkin Spice
Blue Agave Honey as a syrup
Natural Butter with cinnamon
Blueberries or strawberries for a topping
Enjoy:)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
You'll Lose the Weight, When You Loose the "All About Me Attitude," Take it from Me:)
As a trainer I can honestly say I am so tired of hearing and thinking even myself "if I could just get these 5 lbs. off me." It seems, I am just as guilty as the rest of America being so self-driven in my goals. You know this year I am going to make more money, this year I am going to get the perfect body, I will buy that new car. I mean, its kind of sickening when you think about it. Its like on the bottom of my recent goal charts, I mind as well write, "Congrats all you do is think about yourself."
What about being more grateful in the New Year, or striving to do something far greater than a monetary job, call home more often, actually volunteer at that soup kitchen or as corny as this sounds looking within to make the outer beauty pop. While I am honest to a fault, I would still in addition, like to achieve a better body and more of a fuller bank account. But there is something, I have stumbled upon a trick that is keeping me on top of my diet logs, on top of working out hard, on top of focusing more on my work to achieve a higher profit for the past 3 weeks. Now this post is not to say, look at what I am doing, its more to point out what I should been doing for the past year, STOP thinking about my damn self!
3 weeks ago I said to myself, get over yourself, you are living a life with no meaning, no purpose, the only thing you got to show is a bunch of party pics on facebook, just pathetic. And still with such trivial things to worry about in life I still could not seem to be getting the results I wanted too.
I said you know what I am going to go to Haiti, not for the notion that I am going there with the silly idea that I am really going to be helping anyone, but rather the people and children that have been through such tragedy can still smile are going to re-teach me how to live, I am going to obtain another training certification, not so much to add one more to the belt but quite frankly I want my clients to get real, hardcore results. Its time to really start looking into grad school because your mind is your best weapon. I have been so busy in the past 21 days with a quick trip home that I have not even had time to sit there and think about all the BS that I was thinking about 4 weeks ago, and never want to go back to being that pathetic again. And guess what has happened in the past 3 weeks:
Trying to prep for Haiti, workouts have been more time condensed but at the same time its caused them to be more effective then ever, and already I am well on my way to getting in my best shape.
Saving Money for my 4th cert has forced me to not hit the bars and eat out so much, guess what I have more than enough saved, I am running a profit and coming up with healthy cooking recipes which just may lead me to something else:)
Contemplating, grad school, you know what kind of car I will be driving in a few years?!
The thing is when you get selfless, it is amazing how far the people you want to do things for will push you to be your absolute best. The result, your not really helping anyone, all the people in your life are just helping you reach your full potential.
What about being more grateful in the New Year, or striving to do something far greater than a monetary job, call home more often, actually volunteer at that soup kitchen or as corny as this sounds looking within to make the outer beauty pop. While I am honest to a fault, I would still in addition, like to achieve a better body and more of a fuller bank account. But there is something, I have stumbled upon a trick that is keeping me on top of my diet logs, on top of working out hard, on top of focusing more on my work to achieve a higher profit for the past 3 weeks. Now this post is not to say, look at what I am doing, its more to point out what I should been doing for the past year, STOP thinking about my damn self!
3 weeks ago I said to myself, get over yourself, you are living a life with no meaning, no purpose, the only thing you got to show is a bunch of party pics on facebook, just pathetic. And still with such trivial things to worry about in life I still could not seem to be getting the results I wanted too.
I said you know what I am going to go to Haiti, not for the notion that I am going there with the silly idea that I am really going to be helping anyone, but rather the people and children that have been through such tragedy can still smile are going to re-teach me how to live, I am going to obtain another training certification, not so much to add one more to the belt but quite frankly I want my clients to get real, hardcore results. Its time to really start looking into grad school because your mind is your best weapon. I have been so busy in the past 21 days with a quick trip home that I have not even had time to sit there and think about all the BS that I was thinking about 4 weeks ago, and never want to go back to being that pathetic again. And guess what has happened in the past 3 weeks:
Trying to prep for Haiti, workouts have been more time condensed but at the same time its caused them to be more effective then ever, and already I am well on my way to getting in my best shape.
Saving Money for my 4th cert has forced me to not hit the bars and eat out so much, guess what I have more than enough saved, I am running a profit and coming up with healthy cooking recipes which just may lead me to something else:)
Contemplating, grad school, you know what kind of car I will be driving in a few years?!
The thing is when you get selfless, it is amazing how far the people you want to do things for will push you to be your absolute best. The result, your not really helping anyone, all the people in your life are just helping you reach your full potential.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
No Need to Trade Your 6-Pack for a Beer Gut this Football Season!
Football Season is Here!
I love football, food, and adult beverages. However, I do not love all the additional calories it can bring with it. Here is a list of simple things I have found to keep your taste buds happy this wonderful season, while keeping your waist line in check:
The Swap:
Swap beef burgers for turkey or veggie burgers
Skip the queso and stock up on salsa
Skimp on the mayonnaise or opt for a low-fat one
Add veggies with low-fat ranch or hummus to the mix
Make your beer a light one
Mix your mixed drinks with a diet soda, crystal light, or low-calorie fruit punch mix
Swap your white buns for some whole wheat buns or make your burger a lettuce wrap
Opt for baked potato chips over regular potato chips
Some of my favorite tailgating recipes:
Tasty Chicken Strips (taken from “Hungary Girl”)
Ingredients
6 oz. Tyson (or another brand) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (raw); cut lengthwise into 5 strips
1/2 cup Fiber One cereal
1/4 cup Egg Beaters, Original
1/4 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt
Pepper (to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add garlic salt and pepper to crumbs. Place crumbs in one small dish and Egg Beaters in another. Next, coat raw chicken strips with Egg Beaters and then with crumb mixture. Place strips on a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Spray a light mist of nonstick spray on top of strips and place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes, and then turn strips over. Add another light mist of nonstick spray and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes (until chicken is fully cooked and Fiber One looks crispy). Enjoy! Serves 1.
Serving Size: 5 pieces (entire recipe)
Calories: 240
Fat: 3.25g
Sodium: 805mg
Carbs: 26g
Fiber: 14g
Sugars: 0.5g
Protein: 42.5g
Lamb Kabobs with Mustard Glaze
• 12 ounces lean boneless lamb leg
• 1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
•2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
•16 tiny new potatoes, halved (about 1 1/4 pounds)
•1 small red onion, cut into wedges
•1 red, yellow, or green sweet pepper, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares
•Hot cooked orzo (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 1-inch cubes. Place meat in a medium bowl.
For marinade, in a small bowl stir together mustard, lemon juice, green onion, and thyme. Pour half the marinade over meat, stirring to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade for glaze.
Before grilling, place a steamer basket in a large saucepan. Add water to just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring to boiling. Add potatoes. Steam, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes or just until potatoes are tender. Remove steamer basket from saucepan; cool potatoes for 5 minutes. Break each onion wedge into 2 or 3 layers. Drain meat, discarding marinade.
On eight 6- to 8-inch metal skewers alternately thread meat, potatoes, onion, and sweet pepper, leaving 1/4 inch between pieces. Grill kabobs on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 12 to 14 minutes or until meat is slightly pink in the center, turning and brushing occasionally with glaze up to the last 5 minutes of grilling. (Or broil on the unheated rack of a broiler pan 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with glaze up to the last 5 minutes of broiling.) If desired, serve kabobs with orzo.
Guacamole with Chipotle Tortilla Chips (from cooking light)
Chipotle chile powder gives the crunchy chips a smoky kick that pairs well with the buttery guacamole. Use ground cumin or regular chili powder in its place, if you prefer. Prepare the chips up to a day ahead, and store in a zip-top plastic bag.
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons guacamole and 4 chips)
Ingredients
Chips:
8(6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (such as McCormick)
Guacamole:
3 tomatillos
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped plum tomato
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 ripe peeled avocados, seeded and coarsely mashed
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.
To prepare chips, cut each tortilla into 8 wedges; arrange tortilla wedges in a single layer on 2 baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle wedges with 1/2 teaspoon salt and chile powder; lightly coat wedges with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 12 minutes or until wedges are crisp and lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes.
To prepare guacamole, peel papery husk from tomatillos; wash, core, and finely chop. Combine tomatillos, onion, and remaining ingredients; stir well. Serve guacamole with chips.
Enjoy and Go Ducks!
I love football, food, and adult beverages. However, I do not love all the additional calories it can bring with it. Here is a list of simple things I have found to keep your taste buds happy this wonderful season, while keeping your waist line in check:
The Swap:
Swap beef burgers for turkey or veggie burgers
Skip the queso and stock up on salsa
Skimp on the mayonnaise or opt for a low-fat one
Add veggies with low-fat ranch or hummus to the mix
Make your beer a light one
Mix your mixed drinks with a diet soda, crystal light, or low-calorie fruit punch mix
Swap your white buns for some whole wheat buns or make your burger a lettuce wrap
Opt for baked potato chips over regular potato chips
Some of my favorite tailgating recipes:
Tasty Chicken Strips (taken from “Hungary Girl”)
Ingredients
6 oz. Tyson (or another brand) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (raw); cut lengthwise into 5 strips
1/2 cup Fiber One cereal
1/4 cup Egg Beaters, Original
1/4 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt
Pepper (to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add garlic salt and pepper to crumbs. Place crumbs in one small dish and Egg Beaters in another. Next, coat raw chicken strips with Egg Beaters and then with crumb mixture. Place strips on a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Spray a light mist of nonstick spray on top of strips and place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes, and then turn strips over. Add another light mist of nonstick spray and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes (until chicken is fully cooked and Fiber One looks crispy). Enjoy! Serves 1.
Serving Size: 5 pieces (entire recipe)
Calories: 240
Fat: 3.25g
Sodium: 805mg
Carbs: 26g
Fiber: 14g
Sugars: 0.5g
Protein: 42.5g
Lamb Kabobs with Mustard Glaze
• 12 ounces lean boneless lamb leg
• 1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
•2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
•16 tiny new potatoes, halved (about 1 1/4 pounds)
•1 small red onion, cut into wedges
•1 red, yellow, or green sweet pepper, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares
•Hot cooked orzo (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 1-inch cubes. Place meat in a medium bowl.
For marinade, in a small bowl stir together mustard, lemon juice, green onion, and thyme. Pour half the marinade over meat, stirring to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade for glaze.
Before grilling, place a steamer basket in a large saucepan. Add water to just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring to boiling. Add potatoes. Steam, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes or just until potatoes are tender. Remove steamer basket from saucepan; cool potatoes for 5 minutes. Break each onion wedge into 2 or 3 layers. Drain meat, discarding marinade.
On eight 6- to 8-inch metal skewers alternately thread meat, potatoes, onion, and sweet pepper, leaving 1/4 inch between pieces. Grill kabobs on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 12 to 14 minutes or until meat is slightly pink in the center, turning and brushing occasionally with glaze up to the last 5 minutes of grilling. (Or broil on the unheated rack of a broiler pan 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with glaze up to the last 5 minutes of broiling.) If desired, serve kabobs with orzo.
Guacamole with Chipotle Tortilla Chips (from cooking light)
Chipotle chile powder gives the crunchy chips a smoky kick that pairs well with the buttery guacamole. Use ground cumin or regular chili powder in its place, if you prefer. Prepare the chips up to a day ahead, and store in a zip-top plastic bag.
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons guacamole and 4 chips)
Ingredients
Chips:
8(6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (such as McCormick)
Guacamole:
3 tomatillos
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped plum tomato
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 ripe peeled avocados, seeded and coarsely mashed
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.
To prepare chips, cut each tortilla into 8 wedges; arrange tortilla wedges in a single layer on 2 baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle wedges with 1/2 teaspoon salt and chile powder; lightly coat wedges with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 12 minutes or until wedges are crisp and lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes.
To prepare guacamole, peel papery husk from tomatillos; wash, core, and finely chop. Combine tomatillos, onion, and remaining ingredients; stir well. Serve guacamole with chips.
Enjoy and Go Ducks!
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