Healthy Fish Tacos

Following my ban on Red Meat I will continue with my Fish Recipe Series with Healthy Fish Tacos. Now just to clarify my definition of Healthy does not mean low in fat or calories, it means Healthy Whole Ingredients. The worst food in the recipe is Olive Oil which has health benefits.

Considering I had a limited freshly caught fish selection, I used Sole which is a flakey white fish and delicious however you can use Cod, Talapia or Halibit which have similar Nuval Scores

Guacamole:
 - 2 Ripe Avocados: Nuval Rating 89
 - 1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt: Nuval Rating 93
 - 1 Small Jalapeño: Nuval Rating 99
 - 4 Chopped Green Onion: Nuval Rating 100
 - 1 Handful Chopped Cilantro: Nuval Rating 99
 - 2 Tbl Fresh Lime Juice: Nuval Rating 91

 - 10 Cherry Tomatoes: Nuval Rating 95

Cabbage Salad:
 - 1/4 Head Purple Cabbage: Nuval Rating 100
 - 1 Tbl Olive Oil: Nuval Rating 11

 - 2 Tbl Fresh Lime Juice: Nuval Rating 91

Healthy Fish Tacos:
 - 10 Soft Corn Tortillas: Nuval Rating 91
 - 1 Pounds Sole Fillet: Nuval Rating 82

Season with Pink Himalayan Salt & Ground Pepper to taste for the Guac & Salad. Assembly is self explanatory I also added a few extra Jalapeño to add some kick. 

Credit to Wine & Food  for the recipe however didn't pair the meal with wine... We had Fresh Margaritas made with Tequila, Triple Sec & Fresh Lime Juice!!

Eat, Drink, Live Healthy...

Cauliflower Crusted Pizza

We've been really into Micro-Nutrient dishes after watching Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. So our new flat mate Ryan made a Delicious Cauliflower Crusted Pizza, mostly vegetarian ingredients with some cheese and eggs. Compared to our standard meat filled meals ie Macro-Nutrients, the Micro-Nutrients still can provide all the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and essential proteins that you get from meat.

This Awesome Recipe is full of healthy foods when baked make an fantastic alternative to pizza.

 - Cauliflower:      Nuval Score - 100

 - Eggs:                 Nuval Score - 33

 - Mozzarella:       Nuval Score - 23

 - Feta Cheese:     Nuval Score - 28

 - Tomatos:           Nuval Score - 96

 - Garlic:               Nuval Score - 91

 - Jalapeños:         Nuval Score - 99

 - Mushrooms:      Nuval Score - 96

 - Bell Peppers:    Nuval Score - 94

 - Fresh Basil:       Nuval Score - 100

Sprinkle a bit of Olive Oil to brown the crust and add Pink Himalayan Salt to taste. A Healthy Press alternative to a classic Italian Classic I would definitely recommend everyone trying!!

Enjoy!!

The Non-Diet

I have been trolling around with an idea ever since I did an Body Composition Assessment a year ago. My BMR current around 1800 calories not including workouts and I always try to breakdown my meals to get as close to the mark as possible but, as everyone can agree upon, controlling exactly what food you eat is not easy and counting calories is no fun!!

Additionally, many fad diets focus on a specific food which doesn't necessarily burn fat as desired. The basics to fat burning is simple:

• THP FIT TIP #11: Burn more calories than you consume if you want to burn fat

So here's the plan... Target to consume 1200 to 1400 calories per day spread over 4 meals equally spaced starting as soon as you wake. My schedule:

• Wake Up 7am: 2 Hardboiled Eggs & 1 Buttered Toast = 330 Calories

• Early Lunch 11am: Roasted Vegetable & Quinoa Salad = 280 Calories

• Midday Snack 3pm: Do it yourself Trailmix: 6g Cashews, 6g Almond, 15g Dried Apricots, 15g Peanut M&M, 10g Raisins & 15g Granola = 300 Calories

• Dinner 7pm: Mushroom, Garlic & Lean Beef Bleu Cheese Burger on a Whole Wheat Bun = 390 Calories

• Go to sleep at 11pm: Drink lots of Water throughout the day, it helps digestion!

Theoretically you can eat anything ie carbs, protein or fats to makeup the calorie count so mix it up. Just be cautious that eating processed foods may change the function of your liver to breakdown Chemicals instead of the natural food used in the all the recipes above!! 

And remember that unused protein flushes out of your system where carbs are stored as fat. On days I lift I'll add a protein shake or two make sure my muscles are not being depleted instead of the desired fat loss... I estimate that for every week you follow the above you'll loose about 1 pound of fat.

• 600 calories burned per day = 75 grams of fat or 0.165 lbs x 6 days = 1 pound of fat

We're going to start blogging some Healthy 300 Calorie recipes especially Ripe Vegetable Salads. Stay Tuned & Stay Healthy!!

Chimichurri Lamb Chops

Since L & I move to Dubai we've been to about a dozen Argentinean Steakhouses and always get the same thing: Chef's recommendation on the Cut with an Amazing Cilantro based sauce called Chimichurri... Mixed with some lean Lamb Chops, Zucchini Chips & Fresh Bruschetta!!

Recipe is as follows (measurements estimated after a few glasses of wine):

• A Handful of Parsley
• A Handful of Cilantro
• Four Pressed Garlic Cloves
• Three Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• A Couple Dashes Red Wine Vinegar
• Salt, Pepper & Red Pepper Flakes to Taste

Brush some of the sauce onto the lamb and fire up the grill!! The sauce is extremely flammable so keep a distance eye on the meat so they don't burn... 

Add pressed garlic and basil to fresh cut Tomatoes with a splash of olive oil on Healthy Bread, sliced zucchini baked with olive oil; again Salt & Pepper to taste on the lot!! The Chimichurri Sauce goes on the Lamb after its off the grill but heck, feel free to mix it with everything...

Chimichurri Lamb Chops are probably not our lowest calorie recipe but it's fresh and local and probably the most delicious meal my Fiance has ever made for me. Enjoy!!

Healthy Chipotle Chicken Salad

After I graduated from College I moved to Phoenix and our office was right across from the Biltmore, we used to go to Cheesecake Factory about once a week. I was 23 at the time, enjoyed working out however knew nothing about nutrition and thought "Ummm Salad, Thats Healthy!!" 

The Barbeque Ranch Chicken Salad was my absolute favorite and looking back my body probably didn't feel the same as my taste buds. With 959 Calories, 4g of Saturated Fat, a whopping 741mg of Sodium and 0g Protein; how a Chicken Salad can have ZERO grams of Protein baffles me. 

After a Massive 4th of July BBQ on Friday we decided to take it easy on Saturday, watch some Friday Night Lights and reinvent the Classic Chicken Salad... Healthy Press Style:

Start with the Salad

• Baby Spinach & Arugula Mix
• 2 Poached Chicken Breasts
• 1/2 Finely Chopped Onion
• 2 Cups Chickpeas
• 1 Whole Ripe Avocado
• 2 Fresh Sweet Corns
• 2 Large Chopped Tomatoes

End with the Dressing

• 2/3 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• 2 Fresh Squeezed Limes
• 1/3 Cup Finely Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• 1 Tablespoon Nando's Peri Peri Sauce
• 2 Finely Chopped Jalapeños with Seeds

The original recipe from Nutmeg Notebook claims 4 servings... But Laura & I finished it all quite easily. Chicken can be either be shredded or cubed depending on personal preference. And last word of advice, mix the dressing in slowly and leave a bit on the side in case you want leftovers. 

Summer Ripe Box Recipe

So L & I are addicted to Ripe Local Organic Vegetable Boxes we pick up each weekend from Dubai Garden Center filled with Fresh Amazingness... I can't think of any better way to describe it. This week received Cucumber, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Zucchini, Onion, Squash, Red Pepper, Eggs, Mushroom, Green Pepper and Watercrest. The baked Zucchini Chips we made last night were exceptional.

Following a full workday and decent Multidisciplinary Workout including the newly added One Legged Deadlift we quickly threw together an amazing meal from our Ripe Box!! 100% Whole Wheat Pasta with a homemade Vegetable Sauce topped with Mozzarella Cheese and Basil. The Sauce drastically exceeded my expectations, recipe is as follows:

• 3 Tomatoes
• 1 Red Pepper
• 2 Eggplants
• 1/2 Onion
• 12 Mushrooms
• Tablespoon Olive Oil
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Red Pepper Flakes

If you live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi definitely check out one of the Ripe Markets otherwise I'm sure you'll be able to find some great local markets in your neighborhood!! Can't wait until next weekend!!

Healthy Bread

I know, the idea of bread being healthy may seem like an oxymoron and yes I agree that most bread are filled with carbohydrates that if not burned will turn into fat. There is however a happy and healthy medium which includes bread high in fiber and protein while low in sugar.

• THP FIT TIP #10: Always Choose Sprouted Grain or 100% Whole Wheat Breads

• Sprouted Grain Bread is typically more earthy and dense as multiple types of grains and legumes are allowed to sprout prior to being baked, it is also easier to digest.

• 100% Whole Wheat Bread has a smooth hearty texture derived from raw wheat grains being ground into flour prior to baking.

While Sprouted Grain & 100% Whole Wheat Bread will both have similar Nutritional Value the choice really comes down to personal preference and taste.

Some key words to look for in the market are Spelt or Quinoa or Oatmeal or Buckwheat or Ezekiel which will all maintain the natural properties of the grain providing essential vitamins and minerals in addition to the fiber and protein your body needs function efficiently.

The 100% aspect means all 3 components of the grains are included; bran, germ and endosperm. Many of the healthy bread imposters will take advantage of this concept and market processed grains as healthy which likely strip nutrients and often add sugar. Try to avoid:

• Refined Grain Bread
• Enriched Grain Bread
• Multi Grain Bread
• Seven Grain Bread
• Simply Brown Bread
• And obviously the super processed bleached white bread with the colorful packaging to attract children

PS I was thinking of calling this post "Grain's Anatomy" but didn't think anyone would get it. Enjoy the fresh bakery smells!!

Juice Kiwi

For the 10th episode in the Juicing Series I was planning to tell a joke and write about juicing onions or walnuts or something crazy like jalapeño peppers but decided against it... 

So upon special request from 1 of my 20 dedicated followers; I am proud to present the final issue of the Juicing Series... Juice Kiwi!! and heres why:

• Love the Antioxidants & Flavonoids to combat against those Free Radicals

• Protects children with asthma

• 2nd highest concentration of Vitamin C of any fruit; 7th overall, check it out

• Fiber controls blood sugar, lowers cholesterol and risk of heart disease

• Potassium will boost your Metabolism

• Juice the Skin to introduce Prebiotics or Good Bacteria in your body

• Lutein can prevent eye disease

• Contains only 46 Calories!! Have 2...

• Overall promotes Healthy Living...

Juice Recommendation: Some Kiwi Blueberry & Banana Action...

Juice Blueberry

Hope you read my recent Juice Spinach blog post as it give a little background on the superfood concept. Blueberries are another of these so called Superfoods. Quick Hint:

• Dark Colors = Superfuits = Rich in Phytochemicals & Antioxidants

Blueberries are arguably the best disease fighting specifically Cancer prevention and suppression. However I can't overlook the amazing health benefits of the other berries so just to mix up the Juicing Series lets assume that Blueberries are the Best of Everything Ever and you should eat them more often than you are already doing and give a brief overview of the other berries shadowed by the blue ones.

• Blueberries: Proven to reduce the size of tumors

• Strawberries: High quantities of Vitamin C & Folic Acid will boosts your immune system

• Raspberries: Prevents age related mental decline

• Cherries: Melatonin rich to help you sleep, also helps improve your memory with Anthocyanin

• Cranberries: Protects Brain from Free Radicals

• Tomatoes are technically really big Berries 

Keep in mind all the above berries all have amazing antioxidant qualities and disease prevention so feel free to juice and blend them to your liking... Not sure how tomato will mix with tart, hopefully they don't make you turn into something out of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory!!

Juice Green Apple

The Apple: Commonly identified as the Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden has been linked with knowledge & temptation. Below are 10 quick & simple reasons to grab that Daily Apple:

1. Wake Up!! Simple sugar provide a morning kick start
2. Prevents Heart Disease: Just google Flavonoids...
3. Curbs Cravings: Substitute for the sweet tooth.
4. Natural Tooth Brush: Kills bacteria in your mouth
5. Immune Booster: Rich in Vitamin C
6. Cancer Prevention: Colon & Breast to be specific
7. In with the Good Cholesterol out with the Bad
8. Proven to help prevent Alzheimers & Parkinsons
9. Fiber content improves digestion
10. Actually improves lung capacity & function

Ok just to clarify point #1... there are myths that Green Apples are a better stimulus compared to Coffee. This is false however every once in a while I'll skip the Coffee and opt for crisp, slightly sour substitute and by gosh I think it works just as well. Maybe it'll all mental, maybe my body responds to Fructose better. I would be very interested to know what you think??

Juice Recommendation: Cucumbers, Ginger & Lemon!! 

Juice Spinach

Not sure if you know this but Spinach has a PERFECT 100 Nuval Score!! For those new to the Nuval game it is a great tool to tell what foods are good vs disguised as good but really bad... Example:

• Quaker Steel Oats Oatmeal: Nuval Score 60

• Quaker Chewy Granola Bar: Nuval Score 13

Not to pick on Quaker but this is a prime example of where Junk Food can be advertised as Health Food. Anyways back to Juicing. The point I'm trying to make is that Spinach is what is called a Superfood!! Meaning they are jammed packed with Immune Boosting/Disease Fighting Vitamins, Minerals & Antioxidants... Spinach for example has super amazing health benefits:

• Vitamin K: Strengthens Bones!!

• Beta Carotene: Super Cancer Fighter

• Lipoic Acid: Regulates Blood Sugar

• Potassium: Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

• Vitamin A: Enhances Night Vision

• Fiber: Helps Lose Weight

• Iron: Improves Brain Activity

• Lutein: No One Wants Cataracts

• Niacin: Lowers Bad Cholesterol

• Riboflavin: Processes Fats & Proteins

• Phytoecdysteriods... For Popeye Strength

Now you can't overdose on spinach but just a quick word of warning that a cup full of spinach juice is not the most appealing drink however a handful when mixed with green apples or cucumber will facilitate the above benefits while being quite enjoyable at the same time... 

Juice Ginger

OK... #3 in the Juicing Series and no I am not referring to Performance Enhancing Drugs. I'm on about Good Old Fashion Natural Beverages made with, in this case, roots... Juice Ginger!!

I'd recommend to be mix Ginger with other juice but even in small quantities benefits are huge:

• Mix with Honey for a Common Cold Cure

• Aids Stomach Aches & Digestion Problems

• Apparently Helps Cramps You Know When

• Ginger is a Germ Fighting Immune Booster

• Like Celery & Beets; Lowers Cholesterol

• Instant Energy! or at least a Great Placebo?

• Pain Killer for an Alternative Medicine

• Ginger Can Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

• Ginger Tablets help prevent Sea Sickness

The best combination I've found is with Cucumber & Lime which I call Sweet & Spicy... but feel free to add it to all your favorites!! It usually adds a kick...

Juice Celery

Juice Celery is the first of many installments about the wide spectrum of ingredient options for juice mainly outlining the health benefits behind each. Celery, for example, was always considered in my book as quite a useless vegetable with minimal to no taste... I guess the whole "you burn more calories chewing celery than you consume" concept clouded the reality that "celery is full of vitamins and minerals" some of which outlined below with the amazing health benefits:

• Refreshing drink on a hot day or for fever as it lowers body temperature

• Filled with Potassium, Iron, Calcium & Muscle building Amino Acids

• Organic Sodium great to replenish electrolytes post workout

• High in essential antioxidant Vitamin A as well as B6 & C

• Balances your body's pH levels to regulate body functions

• Proven to lower LDL Cholesterol; the Bad Cholesterol

• Research shows Celery helps prevent 8 types of Cancer

• Phthalides help relax muscles and Lower Blood Pressure

• Natural appetite suppressant & low calorie snack substitute

• Celery is an Anti-Inflammatory providing relief for arthritis

• Great Detox & Diuretic; ideal body cleanse after a night out

Go Celery... Get Those Free Radicals & Toxins!!

Our Incredible Juicer

It was a Big Day in the lives of L & E... We bought a Juicer!! So we raided the produce section to start experimenting!! Our first concoction consisted of the following... I call it The Ginger Hulk!!

 - Fresh Spinach: Nuval Score 100

 - Green Apples: Nuval Score 96

 - Cucumbers: Nuval Score 93

 - Parsley: Nuval Score 99

 - Ginger: Nuval Score 87

We even made a homemade Tomato Soup from roasted Garlic, Onion & Tomatoes... Fresh Juice is a quick, easy and surprisingly filling snack or breakfast idea jam packed with all sorts of essential vitamins and nutrients!! Super excited about the possibilities mixing Fruits & Vegetables!! Some great ingredients I am looking play with:

 - Beetroot: Nuval Score 99

 - Blueberries: Nuval Score 100

 - Pomegranate: Nuval Score 91

 - Celery: Nuval Score 100

 - Lemon & Mint: Nuval Score 99

 - Red Peppers: Nuval Score 99

 - Jalepeno Peppers: Nuval Score 99

 - Bananas: Nuval Score 91

 - Grapefruit: Nuval Score 99

 - Kale: Nuval Score 100

 - Kiwi: Nuval Score 100

 - Carrots: Nuval Score 99

Check out the links to learn more about the Health Benefits of each Ingredient!! I strongly recommend for anyone interested in Healthy Living or Mixology to get one...

Happy Blending!!

Coconut Water

As I mentioned in my Last Blog, we just returned from sun-filled-holiday in the Maldives!! But what I failed to mention is both L & I have Northern European skin ie Pale with Freckles so the UV Rays seam to go out of its way to find us?!

We were OK for the first and second day bathing in sunscreen before we went out however the third day was a shocker!! A morning lather followed by a Quick Swim then a walk from island to island, topped off with an afternoon of snorkeling... needless to say our back and legs were a little beat up. Luckily for us though the Beach Guru showed up at our back porch offering Fresh Coconuts... We got 2!! The water was refreshing and the meat was addictive!!

Livestong says the best cure for a sunburn is Aloe Vera but personally I prefer Simple & Excessive Hydration!! This will naturally lubricate skin and help Prevent Pealing. Furthermore, Coconut Water hydrates much better than water as it contains Electrolytes just like Gatorade but without the added sugar.

Other great health benefits of Coconut Water: the High Potassium / Low Sodium Content helps Lower Blood Pressure, Raises Metabolism, it's a Natural Detox, Heightens Immune System, plus Many More...

So if you see the Beach Guru; just ask for a Fresh Chopped Coconut with a Natural Spoon!!

Healthy Beef Lettuce Wraps

L and I have been cooking together for almost 4 months now... by cooking together i mean she cooks, i sometimes help and clean the kitchen occasionally. We've probably tried 25 or 30 new recipes and only a few really have stuck out that we include in our repertoire. 

Fresh from the Garden being one...

However tonight we stumbled upon a fantastic recipe from For the Love of Cooking for Beef Lettuce Wraps. Follow the link to get a step by step assembly... A few notes, tweaks & changes below!!

Green Onions - Nuval Score 100

Fresh Lettuce - Nuval Scope 100

Shredded Carrots - Nuval Score 99

Quinoa - Nuval Score 91

Flank Steak - Nuval Score 30

I played Sous Chef when L was at the gym since I've been working out all day. First preparing the marinade; low sodium soy sauce, apple vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and a little oil. Dip the steak in the marinade and roll up in a ziplock bag then stick in the fridge for an hour or so.

Our main substitution was the protein packed Quinoa for rice... highly recommended. The dipping sauce was similar to the marinade which added loads of flavor but next time we plan to add other dipping options; Peanut Satay, Sweet & Sour, or my favorite Spicy Szechuan!! Make it your own...

The Challenge

I see so many people; friends, family, coworkers get lost in the day to day. They start working late and stop working out... loose sight of their hobbies and ambitions. Soon weeks become months become years and suddenly you're stuck in the same routine. My goal, and I'm starting fresh, is to break out of this routine, enjoy the summer and simplify my life.

I'll be perfectly honest... I am no expert in the stuff I plan to write on but can tell you what I like, what works for those perpetually working towards enlightenment, or just a few ideas to mix things up a bit.

I live to eat, love good food and don't think I could ever compromise on this... won't touch diets but am more than willing try some simple healthy recipes.

I enjoy a drink, going out with friends helps me keep my sanity... just need to find some new refreshing drinks for the hot months ahead.

I need to workout, but have trouble finding the time... we'll see how waking up at 6 for a quick workout a couple times a week treats me?

So I take this post as a personal challenge to get fit, healthy and have a fantastic time doing it! Enjoy...