Food for Fuel

Today we are going to go back to the beginning where my fitness journey began. Whether you're starting off for the first time, trying to get back on track or just looking for new recipes this one is for you. As Jocelyn has stated we are constantly on the go, which can make eating healthy difficult. If you aren't prepared for on-the-go days it will be really hard to stay on track. As they say "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail". And we want everyone to be set up for success. With that said, let's go back to where I first saw success: Green Smoothies. Green smoothies combined with a few runs a week and never setting foot in the gym left me 13 pounds lighter and my mother 20 pounds lighter. Green smoothies are a great way to begin and a perfect way to detox if you've slipped up. Now this recipe will be slightly different as there are so many options and add-in and substitutions you can do. I will give you my go to recipe and then show you ways you can mix up your own.

2 handfuls of spinach
2oz of water
1 apple
1 banana
1 tbsp chia seed
8 Ice cubes

Toss everything into a decent blender and there you go!! I would say that this serves up two servings; I usually drink one glass and take the rest with me in my Isobag. As long as it is refrigerated, it is still delicious later on in the day. Now, I have been drinking these bad boys for over a year now and I am quite accustomed to the taste but here are ways you can make it a little sweeter or just was to tweak it to fit what you have in the fridge. I have tried every item I am suggesting but certain combinations will taste better than others just listen to your stomach. Be cautious not to be adding in too many sweets, fruits are plenty sweet so let's try to keep it simple. Simplicity is key.

Base
- Water
- Almond Milk
- Coconut Water

Greens
- Spinach
- Kale
- Romaine lettuce

Fruit
- Apple
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Berries

Vegetables
- Carrots
-  Cucumber
-  Celery

Add-ins
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Honey
- Protein powder
- Greek Yogurt
- Chia seed
- Flax seed


-A

Food for Fuel

Okay so if you guys read my about me page you will already know that I am currently obsessed with fish tacos. Fish tacos are absolutely amazing and can be done in so many ways! Yesterday I made some super yummy salmon tacos and thought I would share with everyone.

So I got home from work absolutely tired and in no mood to go to the grocery store but then I remembered that I had some salmon in the fridge!!! My smile further widened when I also saw tortillas in there. So I started taking inventory of what else I had and decided on some seared salmon tacos with pineapple mango salsa. I finished off my delicious tacos by adding a simple spinach salad.

Ingredients:
6 oz Salmon
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 corn Tortillas (you can get some relatively healthy tortillas at Trader Joe's)
2 teaspoons Ms. Dash Fiesta Lime (or any flavor)
2 cups baby spinach
2 tablespoons raspberry walnut vinaigrette
1 cup raspberries
1 pineapple
1/2 red onion
1 mango
1 jalapeno
1 lime
Sea salt (to taste)
Fresh cilantro (optional)

Salsa:

• cut pineapple in cubes (you can use frozen pineapple, make sure to thaw out)
• cut mango into cubes
• dice jalapeno and red onion
• combine pineappple, jalapeno, mango, and onion
• squeeze in lime juice
• add salt to taste
• top with fresh finely chopped cilantro

Salmon:

Heat coconut oil in frying pan. Cut salmon into small cubes and season with Ms. Dash. Put salmon in pan and cook until you see it begin to flake.


Heat tortillas up on stovetop or in the microwave. Split salmon in half and scoop onto tortillas, top with pineapple mango salsa. Cut raspberries in half and mix in with the baby spinach. Top with raspberry vinaigrette (you can get some yummy and healthy options at any grocery store) and you are done! Enjoy your meal!!!

Approximate macros:
Calories: 414
Total Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 47mg
Sodium: 978mg
Carbohydrates: 54g
Protein: 21g

-J

Food for Fuel

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day Arlene!" but all I ever heard was "Blah Blah Blah". I had the same excuse every time 'I'm not hungry'. At the very most I would grab a bagel. If I was short on time however, breakfast was always the first thing to go. That was unhealthy Arlene. Let's fast forward to present day, healthy Arlene! Three words: FOOD FUELS YOU. Don't skip breakfast. If I'm short on time and it's make up vs. food. Food wins everytime. Now for the fun part. My favorite breakfast meal: protein waffles. They are delicious, simple and take about 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients- 

1/2 cup oats

2 ounces of almond milk

1 scoop protein flavor of choice (get creative!)

9 tablespoons of egg whites

(Or 6 tbsp egg whites and 2 tbsp of Chiobani 0%)

Cinnamon & Vanilla extract to taste

Things you will need:

Blender

Waffle Maker 

Blend all ingredients in bender , pour into waffle maker, wait and ENJOY! 

Now you can really get creative with these bad boys by changing up flavored protein or adding in extras like almonds or honey. Also, another way to spice up your waffle is toppings using fruit, almond butter or cookie butter. (seriously guys I've already mentioned the cookie butter if you haven't boughten it yet, go now- Trader Joes- it's waiting for you) Now this is the current recipe I use every morning and for me I have gotten it down to a T but it might need some tweaking with the almond milk- use your best judgment on the almond milk make sure it is of batter consistency. You don't want it too runny or too thick! Please beware! These waffles are amazing and you will become addicted, like me, every morning it becomes a must.

-A