Did You Know You Can Get Back Up to $400 Per Year From Your Health Insurance Company Just For Being an Active Member of FitCamp?

Learn more at… http://www.ultimatefitcamp.com/members-area/health-benefit/

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Hello again.  I hope that you were able to try the last recipe, Chicken with Apple, Onion and Cider Sauce.  If so, please let me know what you thought, good or bad.  If you have not had a spare moment, you can always look in the “Recipes” Category to find anything that I have published.

I know that this time of year is about as crazy as it gets so here is a quick, delicious, and healthy new recipe for you to try. I am sure that the time you have to prepare and cook your dinners is probably less than desirable, but this dinner will not cramp your frenzied shopping and wrapping schedule.

For those of you who wish to turn this into a vegetarian dish, leave out the turkey or beef ….it is also delicious!!

Enjoy!!

MIDDLE EASTERN STUFFED PEPPERS :

(Recipe courtesy of Women’s Health)

 INGREDIENTS:

4 Medium Sweet Bell Peppers (any color)

1/2 lb ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 c golden raisins

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1/4 c sliced stuffed green olives

1/2 tsp chopped garlic (can use jarred)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground cummin

1 c precooked brown rice, heated

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Cut the tops off peppers, removing seeds and white membranes.  Place in baking pan.

3. In a nonstick skillet, cook beef, garlic, cinnamon, and cumin on medium heat until meat is slightly pink (3 to 4 minutes).  Add raisins and tomato sauce and cook until mixture is hot (about 3 more mintues)

4. Remove skillet from heat and mix in rice and sliced olives.  Place equal amounts of the mixture into each pepper and replace tops.  Cover pan tightly with foil

5.  Bake until peppers are soft (about 15 minutes)

**Makes 4 servings.  Per serving: 266 cal, 6g fat (1.8 sat), 39 carbs, 4 g fiber, 16 g protein**

A great question I am frequently asked is what to eat before FitCamp (or any workout for that matter).  My response is usually case-specific depending on the time of day you take FitCamp and your location about 30-60 minutes beforehand (at home, at work, in the car).   Either way you need to feed your body the right mix of healthy carbs, proteins and fats before class in order to burn more fat, get that lean and toned look we all want and have more energy so you can finish your workouts feeling great.  To accomplish this we need to find foods that are easy to make, can be preparred quickly and have all the right mix your body needs to perform at your best. 

Here are 3 quick and easy snack and meal ideas that are perfect to not only fuel your workout but also keep you burning fat for hours afterward. 

Pre-Workout Breakfast:  (30-60 Minutes before class)
 
Egg White Omelet w/Toast - This is a staple pre-workout meal that is quick and easy to make before heading in for class in the morning.  Add 2 tsp of olive oil to skillet and warm at medium heat.  Add 1 c. of Egg Whites (you can get these pre-seperated in dairy section of supermarket), cook until egg whites are solid.  Flip, then add 1 oz. cheese (goat cheese, swiss or provalone are best).  Fold and serve.  While eggs are cooking make 1-2 pieces of toast (Ezekial Bread or Whole Grain).  Skim toast with 2 tsp of Peanut Butter (Teddy’s All Natural).  Serve with 8-12 oz. tea or coffee and 1 serving of fresh fruit. 

Pre-Workout Shake:  (30-60 Minutes before class)
 
Fruit & Protein Smoothie – This is one of my FAVORITE shakes for pre or post workout.  I’ve searched high and low over the years for good quality protein shakes and “ProGrade Workout” is by far the best out there (great ingredients, ideal macronutrient ratios and tastes great too!).  Add 12 oz. of cold water to blender.  Add 1 whole banana (I like to peel and freeze a bunch of these each week right before bananas are about to go bad).  Add 1 cup of frozen strawberries (buy them in freezer section but without sugar added).  Add 1-2 tbsp of Peanut Butter.  Then add 2 scoops of “ProGrade Workout”.  Blend for 60 seconds and serve. 

Pre-Workout Snack:  (Great for on the go!  15-30 minutes before class)

ProGrade Cravers – I found these bars a little while back and was immediately hooked.  My wife Angela and I bought 3 boxes to try them out and they were gone in about 4 weeks.  They literally taste like candy but the ingredients are by far the best i’ve seen compared to what you can buy at the local supermarket or convenience store.  If you are ever in a rush, need a quick pre-workout snack or have a craving for something that is good for you and tastes GREAT then these are your best bet.  Cravers come in a few different flavors and are all organic. 

Quick Tip:  Whether you take AM or PM classes be sure to drink 8-16 oz. of water first thing in the morning to re-hydrate your body.  This will help reduce carb cravings, increase performance and keep your energy levels up.

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