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...

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!!

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 Tomato

Growing up I've always loathed the taste of V8... But the second I had my first spicy Bloody Mary my opinion changed. Tomatoes just have something about them that I can't put my finger on. I seem to enjoy them more every time I have Tomato & Mozzarella Salad or Naked Pizza!! But we're here to talk about Juice right...

In my 5th installment of the Juicing Series I am not going to list out all the Health Benefits but rather really focus on its amazing role as an antioxidant...

Before I get into the details I just want to note that Tomatoes do not contain the highest percentage of antioxidants compared to say Kale or Spinach but they do have Lycopene; which is technically a carotene, a super carotene which deserves an entire blog post in itself. 

• Cancer Fighter: Powerful Defense against men's most common Prostate Cancer

• Heart Disease: Prevents LDL Cholesterol from depositing in you blood stream

• Potent Antioxidant: More powerful than beta-carotene, great immune boosters

• Cell Strength: Builds strong cell membrane  and repairs damaged cells; anti-aging

• Type 2 Diabetes: Won't prevent diabetes but proven to decrease susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and heart attacks

• Natural Sunscreen: Magically blocks UV rays but only equal to an SPF 3

Lycopene has also been described a Free Radical Scavenger constantly protecting your body's Lipids and cells against germs and infections... 

Sounds like sort of a Nutritional Superhero if you ask me :)