Starting March 16th, I’m participating in a fitness challenge group and I wanted to share this opportunity to join our fitness challenge group with my readers!
The fitness challenge will be 21 days. One ~30 minute workout per day. We’re also going to follow a results-driven nutrition plan, because diet is 80% of the equation to achieving your weight loss goals!
You can do any 30 minute workout, or you can follow the 21 Day Fix Extreme workout program that I will be doing with my fitness challenge group (there is also a less “extreme” workout program that you can do with us, called 21 Day Fix). Since I live a Paleo & Bulletproof diet & lifestyle, I have tweaked the 21 Day Fix Nutrition plan for my specific diet preferences. I have put together a 7 Day Meal Planner for Week #1 just to give you an idea of what the Paleo or Bulletproof version would be like. Download the free PDF example >HERE<. And the free excel version (so that you can input your own calories and change the meals and macronutrient percentages) >HERE<.
If you aren’t eating a Paleo or Bulletproof diet, then you can just follow the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan as it is!
Nutrition: EAT CLEAN. Abs are made in the kitchen, so this is a vital part of the 21 day challenge. No alcohol, it slows down your metabolism, adds calories to your daily caloric intake, and spikes your blood sugar levels which isn’t going to help you achieve your weight loss goals! Follow my meal planner or follow the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan that comes with the workout program. I would suggest the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan, especially if you’re just starting out with a wholefoods, clean eating approach to nutrition. It will get you on the right path!
That’s it, keepin’ it simple because I know you’re busy! This fitness challenge is the perfect jump start to what I like to call “Spring Training”. What’s “Spring Training”? Winter is coming to an end, it’s been REALLY cold and dismal and has put a lot of people into “hermit crab – couch potato” mode…so when the sun and warmth come back into the picture this Spring, we’re going to kick into high gear with getting fit this year…THIS is “Spring Training”. Not only will Spring Training get you in bikini body shape, but it will also boost your serotonin and endorphin levels to improve that mood and get you out of the winter blues. Let’s just say, Spring Traning is SUPER ENERGIZING!
So this 21 Day Fitness Challenge is the perfect prelude to what’s to come, Spring Training! It will kick your butt into gear and smack a smile back on that winter blues face of yours! Not to mention tighten and tone up that bod for bikini season woot woot!
Okay, enough chitta chatta, comment below if you want to join the 21 Day Fitness Challenge group!
If you need some Workout Gear, don’t forget to pop on over to Brave Angel Shop for some Athleisure: Women’s Motivational Workout Apparel for Everyday Use!
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
Any recommendations made by Natalie Krul, Brave Angel, guest bloggers, or on our website http://www.BraveAngel.com about weight training, nutrition, supplements or lifestyle should be discussed between you and your doctor because working out involves risks. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website or from our products or services. Never rely on information on our website, from our products or services, in place of seeking professional medical advice.
This is our final part of the “Experts Reveal: Three Great Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners for Weight Loss”series!
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
Last week we spotlighted Certified Personal Trainer & Weight Loss Coach, Bianca Meehan. This week Marisa Watson, Certified Personal Trainer, Crossfit coach and certified yoga instructor is sharing her tips and recipes with us. It has been a pleasure working with these fitness fanatics, and we hope that you have learned some good tips and recipes too!
We asked Marisa, “What are your ‘Go-To’ Meals for Breakfast, for Lunch and for Dinner?”
So here are another nine more tasty yet healthful meal ideas. We’re giving you three recipes for each meal of the day; 3 for Breakfast, 3 for Lunch and 3 for Dinner. These meal ideas are Marisa’s “Go-To” meals that help her reach & maintain her health & fitness goals (and also can help you reach & maintain your weight loss goals!).
It’s hard to figure out what to eat…searching the internet = information overload!
So to help you out, we’re giving you some “Real Life” examples of the types of meals that work for our fitness experts. Everyone’s DNA is different, so remember that what works for someone else may not work for you. So you may have to tweak it to your liking and for your DNA…but, when it’s all said and done, if you’re looking to drop the LB’s, incorporating some of these meal ideas will really help you get there! Read on for the Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Fat Burning Meals that our health & fitness fanatics include in their daily diet!
Marisa is a Certified Personal Trainer at Gold’s Gym, CrossFit coach at Crossfit Pandora’s Box and a certified yoga instructor. Having lived in Colorado Springs her whole life she has participated in an eclectic assortment of activities ranging from horseback riding (barrel racing and polocrosse) to crosscountry and running trail marathons, to yoga, hiking 14ers, shooting, crossfit, olympic weight lifting, and most recently bodybuilding and NPC bikini competitions under Adam Bonilla of Team Elite Physique. Between August and October of 2014 she has participated in 3 NPC shows, never placing lower than 2nd. These included two novice overalls and two second place finishes in open tall class.
Fitness has become an integral part of her life. At one point nearly 6 years ago, she had begun having issues with an eating disorder which nearly killed her leading to two separate inpatient hospitalizations at two different treatment centers. Since then, the focus has been more-so on fitness and performance and finding ways to balance overall health with a certain look and physique required in bikini. Meal prep and planning has been essential on the road to recovery.
Follow her road to nationals on Twitter and Instagram: @RiskyRawr
Marisa’s Philosophy:
Marisa Competing
“I keep my meals fairly simple and adhere strictly to my meal plan whenever possible. I find for me I am able to stay on track with my recovery if I track my food and prep ahead of time. In the off season and while I am trying to build muscle I do allow myself some wiggle room so long as snacks or going out to eat still fits in my meal plan- otherwise I have known myself to restrict eating that day to compensate for other calories. It is a fine line between becoming obsessive about my meal plan and being able to still reach my goals and stay in recovery. For that reason, my meals are very plain and simple.
I also have a lot of dietary restrictions because of issues I’ve had with the eating disorder affecting my GI system. I’ve been paleo for a number of years and other than adding in some beans and dairy occasionally I stay within the parameters of that diet. This means eating a variety of lean meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils (avocado, coconut or olive), some starches (sweet potatoes mostly), and a little fruit. No grains, no legumes, no processed foods, and if I consume any dairy it is full fat versions.”
“My go to breakfast is very specific to my meal plan but sometimes when i’m in the off season i replace on egg with a piece of bacon.”
2 egg whites and 2 whole eggs cooked with spinach
Gluten free hot cereal (Bob’s Red Mill has a lot of great options here!)
1/4c Almond milk
1 TBSP Honey
1/2oz chopped almonds or 1 TBSP peanut butter
1 TBSP apple butter (just for a little extra sweetness)
Breakfast Recipe #2: Sweet Potato and Bacon Hash
“When I was eating strictly paleo this was my favorite! IF you are watching your fats opt for turkey bacon instead.”
Ingredients:
1-2 Slices bacon or turkey bacon
1TBSP chopped onion
1/4c chopped bell peppers
4oz sweet potato cut into thin slices
2 eggs and 2 egg whites
Instructions:
Cook the bacon in a skillet and put off to the side to drain keeping the remaining fat in the pan
Add onions, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes and cook until veggies are soft and sweet potatoes start to crisp a bit.
Chop bacon and add back to the mixtures. Add in eggs (either scrambled or I like them whole for a runny yolk) and cover till eggs are cooked to your liking.
“This is a recipe I modified from PaleOMG.com to fit my macros and give me a complete breakfast.”
Ingredients:
Paleo Pumpkin Microwave Breakfast Cake
1/2c Canned Pumpkin (NOT the pumpkin pie mix but plain pumpkin)
1/8c Almond milk
1 whole egg and 2 egg whites
1 banana (chopped into dime-sized pieces)
1-2 TBSP Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour (or almond or coconut flour)
1tsp vanilla extract
1tsp pumpkin pie seasoning
1TBSP honey
1/2oz chopped walnuts
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and mix well.
Put in microwave for 2.5-3 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy!
Marisa’s Lunch Tip:
“My lunch stays the same for the most part and I just alternate the veggies. To make prep easier I often times cook my chicken in the crock pot.”
Marisa’s Top Three Go-To Lunch Recipes:
Lunch Recipe #1: Crockpot Chicken
Crockpot Chicken
All you do is take all your chicken breasts, put them in the crock pot with fresh rosemary, black pepper, garlic powder and a little salt and cover everything with water.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours and you have chicken for a week! Always try and precook your chicken, sweet potatoes, and pre-chop your vegetables so all you have to do for prep is weigh and measure your portions.
Lunch Recipe #2: Ground Turkey Muffins
“Another way to make easy proteins is ground turkey muffins.”
Mix your ground turkey with fresh herbs (Marisa’s Tip: Italian blend with black pepper and garlic is yum!)
Add an optional egg white to hold everything together.
Grease a muffin pan
Roll the turkey into meat balls
Cook for 20 min at 350 degrees.
Lunch Side, Recipe #3: Sweet Potatoes!
Sweet Potato Mash
“The majority of my carbs consist of sweet potatoes so often I will have to mix it up and often make savory versions of them. I always boil them and mash them but love using fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, garlic, basil,) to make them savory. I also found that they are amazing with thai green curry powder! I get a blend from a local spice shop and just mix it in. For a more sweet, dessert style sweet potato with my evening meal I’ll mash them with almond milk, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.”
Marisa’s Typical Lunch:
3 oz lean meat (chicken, turkey, white fish, bison)
1cup leafy green vegetables (kale, broccoli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, etc)
1cup mashed sweet potatoes
1tbsp coconut oil (while trying to gain some muscle mass)
Marisa’s Dinner Tips & Tricks:
“Dinner is the one meal I don’t usually prep ahead of time unless I will be at work or working out later in the evening. I keep my carbs lighter here opting for baked winter squash or parsnips instead of sweet potatoes (it also adds a little variety!).
My protein is usually bison steak or just a top sirloin especially on days when I’m lifting larger muscle groups or doing more volume like back and legs. I love using different flavors of balsamic vinegar and we have a few local shops that have great varieties! My favorite for bison is an espresso balsamic and often for chicken or turkey I will use a pomegranate flavor. It’s like a guilt-free steak sauce!”
Marisa’s Top Three Go-To Dinner Recipes:
Dinner Recipe #1: Slow Cooker Dry Rub Pot Roast
“I will also do a pot roast in the slow cooker as well using a dry rub.”
Line the bottom of the slow cooker with veggies (onion, carrots and celery)
Coat the roast in a dry rub
Sear on all sides in a pan before putting it in the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 4 hours (depending on the size of the roast).
Another way to season it is to cut a few holes in the roast before searing and filling them with a sliver of garlic and a sprig of fresh rosemary then sprinkling the whole thing with black pepper.
Dinner Side, Recipe #2: Sauteed Brussel Sprouts and Parsnips
“The main thing I switch up is my veggies. This is my go to when I have parsnips at home.”
Ingredients:
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
1c Brussels sprouts, chopped in half
1 and 1/2c parsnips, peeled and chopped into fries
1TBSP onions
1tsp olive oil
1tsp Cajun seasoning
Instructions:
Sautee onions in olive oil until soft
Then add parsnips and brussel sprouts and toss to coat everything
Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and cook covered till the veggies begin to brown just slightly.
Dinner Side, Recipe #3: Sauteed Spinach with Craisins
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 c spinach
1 tbsp craisins
1 and 1/2 tsp olive oil
1tbsp onions
1-2 cloves garlic
Black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Sautee olive oil, garlic and onions in a pan until they’re soft.
Add spinach and craisins and cook until spinach is slightly wilted.
Add pepper to taste.
Bonus Dinner Recipe Tip:
“I always like to keep baked winter squash prepped in my fridge! All you do is cut the squash in half (spaghetti, kombucha, butternut, or acorn), scoop out the seeds with a spoon and place face down on a cooking sheet. Bake for 45min-1hour at 350 degrees, scoop out the insides and enjoy! The only difference is with butternut squash you will want to add a little bit of water to the bottom of the pan because the skin is so thin (you can also peel the skin of butternut squash and chop it up before baking for 25-30min).”
I hope you enjoy Marisa’s great recipes and tips as much as we have! It’s been a pleasure having our fitness fanatics guest post on BraveAngel.com! Next week starts our “Real Life” series, but this time around (instead of recipes) we are bringing you workout routines!!
Marisa has one last farewell note for you too!
“There you have it! I keep things very simple and regimented because I have found that is what works best for me. I live alone so I don’t often have an excuse to cook anything much more elaborate than this but sometimes it’s fun to mix it up! Find your happy medium between obsessive weighing and measuring in meal prep and being able to go out to eat on occasion and truly enjoy yourself. Trust the process and find what works for you!”
Check out our Motivational Workout Wear over at www.BraveAngelShop.com and receive 10% off your order by using coupon code: 10OFFBRAVEANGEL
We rounded up some of the best fitness and nutrition experts we know. Last week we spotlighted Pro Bikini Model, Lisa Marie Vazquez. This week, Cynthia Spenla, a fabulous Fitness & Lifestyle Coach is sharing her tips and recipes with us. Next week, we will have our friend Bianca Meehan, a Certified Personal Trainer & Nutritionist.
We asked them, “What are your ‘Go-To’ Meals for Breakfast, for Lunch and for Dinner?”
So here it is, Part II of the “Real Life” series, and we’re bringing you 9 more tasty yet healthful meal ideas. Each fitness expert is sharing three recipes for each meal of the day; 3 for Breakfast, 3 for Lunch and 3 for Dinner. These meal ideas are their “Go-To” meals that can help you with your weight loss efforts (and also help you maintain your weight once you’ve reached your goal!).
I know it’s hard to figure out what to eat and when to eat it. When you search the internet for a good diet plan, you fall prey to information overload. Also, you most likely have no idea what will work and what won’t work. After searching the web for a weight loss diet and workout program, you probably just give up!
To help you out, we’re giving you some “Real Life” examples of the types of meals that work for our fitness experts. Everyone’s DNA is different, so remember that what works for someone else may not work for you. So you may have to tweak it to your liking and for your DNA…but, when it’s all said and done, if you’re looking to drop the LB’s, incorporating some of these meal ideas will really help you get there! Read on for the Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Fat Burning Meals that our health & fitness fanatics include in their daily diet!
Fitness & Lifestyle Coach, Cynthia Spenla:
Cynthia Spenla, Fitness & Lifestyle Coach
Cynthia Spenla has a passion for empowering women to be confident, beautiful, and fully alive through yoga and strength training. Spenla has education and experience in psychology, eating disorders, personal training, and teaching yoga. Cynthia provides an approach to fitness that extends beyond the physical and into the mental and emotional aspects of training for women. In addition to guiding women on a path of beauty through physical strength, Cynthia’s priority is to help women develop a healthy mindset, a healthy relationship with food, and a healthy self-love! Her take on nutrition is similar to the paleo diet, so all of you paleo enthusiasts out there will love her recipes!
Cynthia’s #1 Vital Tip:
“I choose what I eat based on what makes me feel good in my body. I avoid foods that tend to cause inflammation, digestive, and cognitive problems such as gluten, dairy, corn, & soy.
Normal
0
“Since these foods (gluten, dairy, corn & soy) make up the majority of the American diet, I have to get creative in the kitchen. I make staple meals using alternative ingredients. They are always yummy and delicious. I like to play around with my Vitamix and explore Pinterest for different ways to make my favorite meals.”
Cynthia’s Top Three Go-To Breakfast Recipes:
Breakfast Recipe #1: Green Smoothie
protein powder of choice: (Pure Paleo Protein Vanilla)
1 cup kale or spinach
½ cucumber,
1-2 tbs coconut oil
½ apple or ½ cup pineapple
¼ avocado
coconut water or unsweetened almond milk
Breakfast Recipe #2: Buckwheat and Sausage
¼ cup dry cream of buckwheat (1 cup cooked)
1 Serving Nitrate Free chicken or turkey sausage
Season with salt and pepper and Kerrygold butter
Quinoa Oatmeal
Breakfast Recipe #3: Quinoa Oatmeal
1 cup cooked quinoa,
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
fresh berries
raw nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
½ serving meat of choice
Cynthia’s Top Three Go-To Lunch Recipes:
Lunch Recipe #1: Quinoa Salad
Quinoa
4 oz. Chicken/ salmon/ Ahi tuna
Chopped Kale
Blueberries
Walnuts or pepitas,
Oil based dressing (mix Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper)
Lunch Recipe #2: Bunless Burger
4 oz Ground Turkey, Beef, or Buffalo
Homemade sweet potato fries (See Pinterest for Recipe)
Serving of Steamed Green Vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts)
Chicken Collard Wrap
Lunch Recipe #3: Collard Wrap
Collard leaf
Chicken
Cucumber slices
½ Avocado
Hummus
Cynthia’s Top Three Go-To Dinner Recipes:
Dinner Recipe #1: Beet Avocado Citrus Salad
Steamed golden beets
Arugula
Grapefruit
Avocado
Mix and Serve with protein of choice
Dinner Recipe #2: Alternative Pasta
Spaghetti squash or Zucchini Noodles
Ground Turkey, Buffalo, Beef
organic tomato sauce
veggies of choice
Dinner Recipe #3: Cauliflower Mash
Steam a head of cauliflower
Mix in food processor with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper
Serve with any protein of choice
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
Visit our shop over at www.BraveAngelShop.com for the latest and greatest line of women’s active wear and motivational workout clothing: tanks, tees & hoodies!
Any recommendations made by Natalie Krul, Brave Angel, guest bloggers, or on our website http://www.BraveAngel.com about weight training, nutrition, supplements or lifestyle should be discussed between you and your doctor because working out involves risks. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website or from our products or services. Never rely on information on our website, from our products or services, in place of seeking professional medical advice.
Well here you have it, three great meal ideas for each meal of the day (meals that are actually filling)! This is the first of many posts from our “Real Life” series. We’re bringing you reality, what actual fitness fanatics actually eat and do to stay fit, toned and healthy!
We rounded up some of the best fitness and nutrition experts we know, from Pro Bikini Model, Lisa Marie Vazquez to Certified Personal Trainer & Nutritionist, Bianca Meehan, to our fabulous Fitness & Lifestyle Coach, Cynthia Spenla.
We asked them, “What are your ‘Go-To’ Meals for Breakfast, for Lunch and for Dinner?”
We wanted to bring our readers some really great tried, tested and approved meal ideas. We asked each expert for three recipes for each meal of the day, 3 for Breakfast, 3 for Lunch and 3 for Dinner. These meal ideas are their “Go-To” meals that can help you with your weight loss efforts (and also help you maintain your weight once you’ve reached your goal!).
I know it’s hard to figure out what to eat and when to eat it. When you search the internet for a good diet plan…. You fall prey to information overload, and also, you most likely have no idea what will work and what won’t work. From the recommendations that Dr. Oz and the Biggest Loser throw at you, to the information about the types of workouts that will work, like Beachbody or Crossfit or Jillian Michael’s Shred workout programs…after searching the web for a weight loss diet and workout program, you probably just give up!
Below, are some “Real Life” examples of the types of meals that work for our fitness experts. Everyone’s DNA is different, so remember that what works for someone else may not work for you. So you may have to tweak it to your liking and for your DNA…but, when it’s all said and done, if you’re looking to drop the LB’s, incorporating some of these meal ideas will really help you get there! Read on for the Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Fat Burning Meals that our health & fitness fanatics include in their daily diet!
Today’s Fitness Expert, Lisa Vazquez:
33-year-old mother of two beautiful children, military spouse, Teacher (holding two master’s degrees), small business owner, and a fitness fanatic! Lisa is a CrossFit competitor, recently placing 16th and 4th in two local CrossFit competitions. She is also a National Physique Committee competitor, competing in the bikini division, and recently placing 6th and 3rd.
Lisa Vazquez
Lisa’s #1 Vital Tip:
“Devote yourself to your goal; whatever it may be – as simple as getting outside for a walk 3-5 times a week or as complex as I WANT ABS (those suckers ARE NOT easy to get!!!) and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Struggle on it, overcome it. Get after it! Your biggest challenge resides in your own head and hands. You are in control of your destiny. I’m not telling you it will be easy, but I am telling you it will be WORTH IT!”
Lisa’s Reality Check:
“MEAL PREP IS KEY for me to stay focused on my fitness goals. Every Sunday my family preps our meals for the whole week. We cook mass quantities of chicken, ground turkey, bacon, egg whites, sweet potatoes, boiled eggs, and steamed veggies (don’t let me fool you here, we buy the steamable bags of veggies). We portion out, into little snack baggies, other foods such as servings of berries, nuts, and veggies (like cut up celery sticks, cucumbers, etc.). We even portion out our protein and add the extra BCAA’s into it using little sandwich baggies as well. We take our meals to work and I take them with me to family/friend functions so I won’t be tempted to snack on the food that is at the function… I once traveled from Colorado to Virginia with my 6-Pack Meal Prep cooler on a plane for a friend’s wedding and brought my food to rehearsal dinner!”
Note: For flavoring purposes, follow the “Rule of 3”… if a dressing or sauce has 3 or UNDER grams of fats, sugars, and carbohydrates use the heck out of it! If it has more than 3 grams of fats, sugar, or carbs than use with caution. During the work week it is hard to get everything done in the mornings; getting herself ready, getting her two young children ready, taking care of her dogs, etc. That’s why most of her “Go-To” breakfast meals are things that are quick and easy to either make or grab.
Lisa’s Top Three Go-To Breakfast Recipes:
Breakfast Recipe #1: Eggs & Bacon w/an English Muffin and Fruit
6 egg whites (cook a whole carton of egg whites during meal prep time)
1 portion of fruit (1 small apple OR 1 “Cutie” orange OR 1 banana OR 1 cup of berries – usually
strawberries)
1 Whole Wheat English Muffin (w/sugar free jelly during her “on season training” OR crunchy nut butter during her “off/bulking season training”)
1 protein shake (she’s a fan of Cellucor protein products, namely; S’Mores, Cake Batter, and Peanut Butter Marshmallow) *also add BCAA’s into all shakes*
2 pieces of bacon (turkey bacon during her “in season training” OR real bacon during her “off/bulking season training”)
Breakfast Recipe #2: Southwestern Chicken Omelet
6 egg whites
1/3 cup of Veggie Cheese
Shredded chicken (the amount is up to you)
1 serving of Salsa (as long as it follows the “Rule of 3”)
1 protein shake (she’s a fan of Cellucor protein products, namely; S’Mores, Cake Batter, and Peanut Butter Marshmallow) *also add BCAA’s into all shakes*
1 portion of fruit (1 small apple OR 1 “Cutie” orange OR 1 banana OR 1 cup of berries – usually strawberries)
Pour the egg whites into a skillet pan on medium heat, add your chicken, veggie cheese, and salsa, close up the omelet, flip it over in the skillet, and ENJOY.
Breakfast Recipe #3: Breakfast Mash
2 pieces of wheat bread (pull aparts into little dime-sized pieces)
6-10 egg whites
6 pieces of bacon (cooked and then cut up into small pieces – turkey bacon during her “in season
training” OR real bacon during her “off/bulking season training”)
2/3rd cup of Veggie Cheese
1 protein shake *also add BCAA’s into all shakes*
Scramble egg whites first, then pour into a baking dish along with the bread pieces, bacon pieces, and cheese. Bake in the oven on 400 for 5-7 minutes just to melt the cheese into the mash. Enjoy!
Lisa Vazquez, NPC Bikini Model
Lisa’s Top Three Go-To Lunch Recipes:
Lisa’s Lunch & Dinner Advice:
“Lunch meals and dinner meals are pretty interchangeable to me because they mainly consist of protein, carbs, and greens. I ALWAYS portion my meals based on my fitness goals. During my “off season training”, when I am trying to gain healthy mass, my portions are bigger, 6oz of chicken for example. During my “in season training” my portions are smaller, 4oz of chicken for example. If I find that I am hungry at any time I up my vegetable and water intake to satisfy the hunger while still remaining lean with my foods.”
Lunch Recipe #1: Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad w/ Kale Chips
For Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad
1lb chicken
Ranch powder (I use Hidden Valley’s Ranch dressing powder and I sprinkle to taste)
½ cup of Buffalo Sauce (as long as it follows the “Rule of 3” you are set to use it following the serving suggestion)
Salad items (use the veggies you wish to create your salad… Lisa’s tip: choose spinach as a healthier alternative to lettuce and add egg whites, bacon bits, cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli to your salad)
Bake or boil chicken until it is thoroughly cooked. Cut into small cubes. Place chicken pieces into large bowl and pour/sprinkle buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning over the chicken. Cover the bowl and shake contents around to get full flavor coverage on the chicken! Dump chicken pieces over salad mix and ENJOY!
For Kale Chips
Fresh Kale (cut off its stalk and into leaf-sized pieces)
Coconut Oil
Salt
Set oven on to 400. Place kale into large bowl with coconut oil, salt, and any other flavorings you wish to use (following the “Rule of 3”). After kale has been well mixed with flavorings, dump the kale onto a baking sheet, spread out, and place kale in the oven for 8-12 minutes depending on your oven’s cooking intensity. You may want to flip the leaves about ½ way through cooking them. Voila, kale chips!
Lisa’s Side Note:
“I always try to add flavor when I can, so I stumbled upon powdered popcorn seasonings such as Bacon Cheddar, Parmesan Garlic, and White Cheddar in the popcorn/chips isle of my local Wal-Mart Supercenter!! So we often sprinkle the aforementioned flavorings onto our Kale chips as well!”
Lunch Recipe #2: Chicken Teriyaki w/ Brown Rice
1lb chicken
1Tbsp coconut oil (or sometimes I boil my chicken in low-sodium/reduced-fat chicken broth)
2 cups broccoli
1 cup snap peas
1 cup chopped carrots
½ cup celery
¼ cup water chest nuts
1 cup pineapple cubes
2 cups brown rice
½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tsp ginger
¼ cup Stevia in the raw- added slowly until desired sweetness achieved
1 tsp garlic powder
In a large skillet, cook chicken using 1 tbsp coconut oil. Once chicken is cooked add in broccoli, sugar peas, carrots, celery, chest nuts, pineapple cubes, soy sauce, agave nectar, ginger, stevia (to taste), and garlic powder. Lisa’s Tip: use steamable veggie bags for the veggies listed when you can! They are so easy.
Lunch Recipe #3: Simple Balsamic Chicken Salad
1lb chicken
Reduced-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
1 serving Balsamic Vinegar dressing (use a Balsamic dressing that follows the “Rule of 3”)
Salad items (use the veggies you wish to create your salad… spinach is best and also add egg whites, bacon bits, cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli to your salad)
Cut uncooked chicken into slices or chunks. In a large pan, boil chicken using as much chicken broth as you need. Mix all salad items together in a large bowl. Add chicken and dressing and enjoy!
1 package whole-wheat linguine or gluten free pasta
1/2 cup soy sauce – you can use reduced sodium
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
1 teaspoon Stevia
2 cups cubed chicken breast
2 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed
2 carrots, shredded
1 yellow pepper sliced
6 scallions diced
1 cup fresh pea pods
Prepare noodles and cook until tender. In large skillet add sesame oil and cook chicken. In a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, peanut butter and stevia. Then add the mixture to the chicken and oil. Then add veggies. Once fully cooked, let cool and store in air tight containers – keep refrigerated and serve cold.
Dinner Recipe #2: Sesame Chicken
2lbs chicken, rolled in almond flour and egg white
6 egg whites
½ cup almond flour
1 cup agave nectar
½ cup soy sauce (use reduced sodium)
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
Sesame Seeds
1 package whole wheat noodles
Trim chicken and chop into bite size portions, dip into whipped egg whites, than roll in almond flour to form breading. Place in hot pan with ¼ cup olive oil (add more as needed). Once chicken is cooked: add agave, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic. Meanwhile boil noodles and once cooked add to chicken mixture. Top with sesame seeds and serve.
Dinner Recipe #3: Turkey Chili w/ Greek Yogurt Topping
For Chili
1lb extra lean ground turkey
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 large tomato chopped
1/3 cup onion chopped
1/3 cup orange pepper chopped
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 large zucchini squash chopped
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1Tbsp onion powder
¼ Tbsp cumin
For Yogurt Topping
1 cup Greek Yogurt
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
½ tsp garlic salt
Brown turkey in 1 tbsp olive oil, then add beans, veggies, and spices. Simmer on low as long as desired (you can also make this in the crock pot). If you like your chili with a kick, add crushed red pepper! When you’re ready to serve, mix Greek Yogurt, with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt and use for topping on chili!
So there you have it, our first 9 recipes of the February “Real Life” series. Next week, we will be bringing you nine more recipes from our Fitness & Lifestyle Coach, Cynthia Spenla! Be sure you are following our blog so you can receive all of our exciting fitness tips and healthy recipes!
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
Any recommendations made on http://www.BraveAngel.com about weight training, nutrition, supplements or lifestyle should be discussed between you and your doctor because working out involves risks. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website or from our products or services.Never rely on information on our website, from our products or services, in place of seeking professional medical advice.
Warrior Girl Fitness 