Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Inspire



Alright peeps, so I know you might roll your eyes a bit whenever I post another health related post. But please just hold up and hear me out. You see, health and fitness is something that I am very passionate about. It's not necessarily about having the greatest abs or the best legs in town, but more so it is about just being healthy. Being healthy for me, my family, and my friends. Being healthy so that I can inspire other people to live healthy lifestyles. No, I know that I cannot force anyone to trade the cheetos for some raw almonds, but hopefully by me BEING the example someone will make the decision to make healthier choices.

The trend of obesity is on the rise, and I am not okay with that. It's not about being a supermodel, but it's about being healthy. And let's all face it, if we are all obese that we aren't living as healthy as we could be living. Now, don't get all frazzled on me. I am not bashing ANYONE. What I am trying to do, is get us all to see just how important our health is. You see, the more "extra fluff" we have on our bodies, the harder our bodies have to work in order to function. And sometimes, it's not just what we can see on the outside that could be setting us up for a health crisis. Some of the foods we put in our bodies actually are causing blockages, plaque build-up, and other critical health issues inside our bodies.

This is alarming to me. It is enough to get my attention and cause me to want to take care of my body the best way I can. That is why I workout DAILY. That is why I eat clean DAILY. Do I have some ice cream or some chips every once in a while? Yes! Do I eat ice cream and chips everyday? No! I choose to make healthier choices, so that I can be healthy. I want to treat my body right. I want to show my children what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. And, I want be the encouragement and inspiration for someone else wanting to make the choice to live a healthy lifestyle.

If I can help you in making healthier choices and get you started in living a healthier lifestyle, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Email me at jaclynturner1@beachbodycoach.com, message me on Facebook, reach out on Twitter, or comment below. I would love to help you in your health and fitness journey.

Grace & Peace, Jaclyn

Sunday, October 7, 2012

After Church Pork Chops


Mmmmm. Doesn't that look so yummy? I mean, sure, I'm probably a bit bias on this since I was the one who actually cooked it. But still, doesn't it look yummy? And wait, it gets better! Not only does it taste good, but it is easy to cook, inexpensive, and wait for it.........HEALTHY! All of these descriptions make this dish a winner in my opinion. Ok, so I am sure you aren't wanting to just read my comments on it. You probably hopped over here for the recipe. So, here it goes:

After Church Pork Chops

4 lean, boneless pork chops
1 onion
Emeril Essence
Carrots
2 Sweet Potatoes

First, take your crockpot (yep, this alone makes this meal a winner) and butter it up. Next, take your onion and slice it up. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the crockpot. Take your pork chops and place them in the crockpot on top of the sliced onion. Then, sprinkle the pork chops with Emeril Essence spice. Place carrots and cut up sweet potatoes on top of the pork chops. Pour about a 1/4 cup of water into the crockpot. Sprinkle with more Emeril Essence, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook on high for about 4-6 hours.

I call this dish, After Church Pork Chops, because I put it all together in the crockpot this morning right before heading off to church. By the time we made it back home from church and cooked some french style green beans to go with it, it was done. There is absolutely no need for condiments with the meat or butter for your sweet potatoes. All of this cooked together adds enough flavor. I think next time, I might opt for a bit of cinnamon. Hope you enjoy!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Food is Fuel, Not the Enemy


Let me start this post off by saying that I absolutely LOVE this picture! I have heard far too many times from people wanting to shed a few pounds that they are going on a "diet." In other words, by "diet" they mean starving themselves, depriving themselves, totally eliminating a food group. WRONG! (Can you hear the game show buzzer??)

I was one of these people at one time, but I know now that I was so wrong. Food is not the enemy. FOOD IS FUEL! My body needs food in order to function properly. I mean, the picture above gives the perfect example. We don't decide that we will not put gas or oil in our cars, and expect them to run efficiently. It could also be added that we don't put garbage and/or junk in our cars and expect them to run efficiently. No! We know that it takes the right gas and oil in order for our cars to perform at their best. So, why would we treat our bodies any differently?

Listen, I know you might be thinking, "Well, I did shed a few pounds by not eating such and such" or "I did lose some weight by only eating once a day." You may have had some pounds fall off, but did you know that after a while your body will start attacking your muscles? Yep, it's true. After a while of being deprived our bodies will begin to take away from or muscles, leaving our muscles weak. We need our muscles! So it's not just a few pounds of fat that is being lost, but some muscle too. I don't know about you, but I want to keep my muscles. (You know in case I get invited to the "gun show" or something. Just kidding.)

So, how do we make sure to fuel our bodies right all while trying to shed a few pounds? Easy. Eat. Yes, I told you to eat. Eating is not bad for us. It is when we overeat, under-eat, and/or eat the wrong things that we land ourselves into trouble.

1. Eat clean. Get a good balance of lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables daily. Limit your intake of high fatty foods. Steer clear of the packaged items, and opt for fresh. Switch over to whole grain items such as brown rice and whole wheat bread (read your labels, make sure it states 100%).

2. Make sure that you are not skipping meals. (This is important.) It is not just something your Mom told you as a kid. Each meal is important in order to fuel your body right. You need a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. I am not a big breakfast food fan, so Shakeology is the perfect way for me to get what I need and not skip out on breakfast.

3. Eat every two hours. How cool is that? You can eat in between meals, and still be treating your body right! I do this. I eat constantly throughout the day. This will help keep your metabolism going. But make sure you are still eating the right things. Some of my favorite snacks are raw almonds, fresh fruit, apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt, & organic whole wheat crackers (when I want something salty).

4. Drink plenty of water. I cannot stress this enough! Water should be your best friend. Drink it all day! I like to add lemon to my water sometimes to add a little flavor to it. I make sure to keep my glass filled with water throughout the day.

5. Stay active! (You didn't think I was going to leave this out, did you?) Exercise is just as important as eating right. They go hand in hand. Find something that you enjoy, and do it! I am loving Insanity right now!

Grace & Peace, Jac

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Meal Plan and Recipes


Alright folks, I know I usually don't post twice in one day, but I had a request for a recipe. I thought I would go ahead and share my meal plan for the week, along with the recipes. Hope you enjoy!

Meal#1:
Turkey Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas

You will need 2 lbs. of ground turkey, 1 package of onion soup mix, 1/2 c of bread crumbs, 1/4 c of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 c ketchup for the meatloaf. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except for the cheese and ketchup, in a medium bowl. Once you have mixed well, place half of meatloaf mix into a greased loaf pan. Sprinkle cheese on the layer you have placed in the loaf pan. Spread the remaining mixture on top of cheese, and top with ketchup. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour (or until no longer pink in the center). 

* I make my own homemade mashed potatoes and use frozen peas. I usually use organic red potatoes in making the mashed potatoes, and then use either mayonaise or sour cream, along with a little milk, salt, and butter. And no, mashed potatoes aren't all that nutritious, but homemade is by far better than the box kind. 

Meal #2:
Classic Minestrone Soup (See previous post for recipe.)

Meal #3:
Pork Chops with Cider Sauce, steamed broccoli, and acorn squash

For the pork chops you will need center-cut bone-in pork chops, salt & pepper, 2 TBS olive oil, 2 onions thinly sliced, 1 tsp. ground sage, 1 1/2 c of apple cider. Season chops with salt & pepper.  In a non-stick skillet over med-high heat, warm olive oil. Add onions and cook, stirring until softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Push onions to edges of skillet and add chops. Cook, turning once, until browned, about 6 minutes total. Sprinkle sage over chops and pour cider into pan. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to med-low. Simmer until chops are cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. remove chops from pan, raise heat to high, and boil sauce until reduced and thickened, 2-3 minutes. Pour sauce and onions over chops & serve. 

For the acorn squash, you will need at least one acorn squash, maple syrup, and salt & pepper. Split the acorn squash in half. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place both halves onto a baking sheet. Pour just a little maple syrup into the center of each half, and then salt & pepper to taste. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the centers are soft.

*For the broccoli, I purchase a steamable bag in the frozen section, or buy fresh and place in my steamer.

Meal #4:
Turkey, dressing, and green beans

For the turkey you will need: sliced turkey breasts (sliced to your liking), salt, and pepper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place turkey in a greased baking dish, and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. (Yep, pretty plain, I know). Bake for about 20 minutes, or until done.

For the dressing you will need: A batch of homemade whole-grain cornbread, olive oil, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 3 ribs of celery (sliced), 8 oz. mushrooms (optional), 3 oz. whole wheat bread, 1 tsp ground sage, dried parsley, ¼ tsp salt, pepper, 1 large egg, and 2 TBS milk (your choice of milk). Place a little oil in a large skillet and place over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes stirring frequently. Add the celery and cook for another 7-10 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Remove to a mixing bowl and add a little oil. Add the sliced mushrooms (if you are using them). Add the cornbread and the whole wheat bread with the sage, parsley, salt & pepper. Toss the ingredients together. In a separate bowl whisk the egg and milk together until well blended. Add the mixture to the large mixing bowl with the stuffing and toss to coat well. Press the mixture into a 9-inch Pyrex casserole dish and bake for 30-40 minutes.


 For the homemade cornbread you will need: 2/3 c plus 1 TBS of whole wheat flour, 1/2 c whole grain corn meal, 1 TBS baking powder, 1/8 tsp salt, 4 TBS butter, 3/4 c corn, 1/2 c heavy cream, 1 TBS 100% maple syrup, 2 eggs, 1/2 c sour cream, and 1/2 c grated cheddar cheese. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Whisk 2/3 c whole-wheat flour together with corn meal, baking powder & salt. In a small pan over medium heat melt the butter. Whisk in 1 TBS whole wheat flour and keep whisking until it begins to brown. Add the frozen corn and let thaw in pan for a minute. Pour in heavy cream and whisk entire mixture together until it thickens. Mix in TBS of maple syrup and remove from heat. Add creamed corn mixture, eggs, sour cream and grated cheese to dry flour mixture. Blend together well without over mixing. Pour batter into a square or round glass baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. 

* For the green beans, I usually get the frozen cut green beans. Place in skillet with a little olive oil or coconut oil, and saute' for a about 3-5 minutes. Then drizzle soy sauce over the green beans and cover. Cook on med-low heat for about 10-12 minutes, or until desired tenderness. 

Meal #5
Turkey Chili with homemade bread

For the turkey chili you will need: 1 lb of ground turkey, 5 cloves of garlic (minced), 1 medium onion (chopped), 1 tsp olive oil, 28 oz. canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz. canned kidney beans, 15 oz. canned black beans, 1 lb. frozen corn (optional), 2 tsp. ground cumin, 1 TBS chili powder, and 12 oz. jar of your favorite salsa. In a large pot, saute' the garlic and onion in the olive oil. Stir in the meat and brown. Stir in everything else and cook over med-high heat until the meat is cooked through. Stir frequently to avoid burning. If you need extra liquid, you can always stir in a little chicken broth. Enjoy!

Meal #6
BBQ chicken legs, corn on the cob, and cabbage

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a baking dish and set aside. Take your chicken legs and place them in the dish. Cover the legs with your choice of BBQ sauce (I like to use Stubb's, as I can pronounce the ingredients). Bake in the oven for about 45-50 minutes. 

While the chicken is cooking, cut up your cabbage and place in a large pot. Cover the cabbage with water and sprinkle just a bit of salt to taste. Boil the cabbage for about 20-30 minutes. 

Boil the corn on the cob until done (usually about 10 minutes). 

Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe

Mmmmm, it's Fall and that means it is time for soups! I absolutely love soups, chowders, chili, and stews. Of course, I really love food. But there is something about soups during the cooler seasons. Now I know that the temps haven't dropped to an extreme cool level, but Fall is still in the air. I couldn't resist having soup on my weekly menu plan this week (I even have chili later on during the week). I love minestrone soup, and I found a great clean recipe last year and decided I would bust it out again. It's easy, cheap, and healthy! What's not to love? Here's the recipe adapted from "All You" magazine. I hope you enjoy!

Classic Minestrone Soup (yields about 6 servings)

Ingredients:
2 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth (homemade if you have some)
28 oz. canned crushed tomatoes
salt & pepper
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 c small shell pasta or elbow macaroni
1 c shredded kale
15.5 oz canned cannellini or navy beans, drained

Combine carrots, celery, garlic, broth, and tomatoes in your crockpot. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, & the Italian seasoning over the combined ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, stir in pasta, beans, and kale. You can increase the heat to high if you choose. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired, upon serving. Enjoy with Back to Nature's Organic Stoneground Wheat Crackers or homemade wheat bread.

This is a favorite in our house! I actually had a bowl today for lunch.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Which Workout is Best for Me?

We all know that working out is good for us. We know that any form of staying active helps to keep us healthy and fit. But sometimes, deciding what type of workout to do can be a bit difficult. We see other people jumping on board with certain workouts and really killing it, but when we try that same workout it just doesn't give us the "Wow factor." This begins, what can be, a disheartening journey of trying to be active but eventually just throwing in the towel. I know about this all too well. I have done it. I have seen others do it.
"Yoga looks nice, so let's give that a try. Nope. Not for me. Ooooo, pilates! Maybe that's MY workout. No way! Check out the guns on Tony Horton! I want to do P90X! Oh no! There's no way I can do what he does. Oh wait, check out that guy's abs! Man, Shaun T. knows what he's talking about! What?!? He wants me to do that? He's crazy." And the list goes on and on. Why is that? I mean, if working out is good for us why are there so many of us throwing in the towel and deciding against it?
I think it is because we aren't setting our goals. We aren't evaluating what it is we want. Yes, we want to be healthy and fit. That's a given. But what are the specific goals? What is it that we want this workout to do for us? What are we wanting out of it? What are the results we want? And then we also have to ask ourselves, what motivates us? What are the things we enjoy doing? If you don't enjoy more of a slow paced workout, then pilates and yoga are probably not for you. If you don't enjoy working out with weights, then P90X isn't the right choice for you. If you are just starting out in your workout journey, then Insanity is not for you. Know your goals. Know the results you want. Know your abilities. Know what drives you and gets you going. If you have found yourself easily bored with a certain type of workout, then go in a different direction. If you like to dance and like more of a fast paced workout, then go with something like Turbo Fire or Zumba or Turbo Jam. If you want to do a little strength training, try Chalean Extreme. If you are wanting to be pushed and challenged, and you have the endurance and capability, then go ahead and take on P90x or Insanity.

Folks, there is a workout for EVERYBODY! Don't try to pull the whole, "There's not any workout out there for me," excuse. You've just been going about it all wrong. So, before committing to that new workout, first sit down and write down your goals. Write down what you want. Be honest. Write down the results you want to see. Second, be honest enough with yourself to know you. Know your limits. Know your capabilities. Know your level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Third, know what drives you. Know what keeps your attention and keeps you focused. And last, use all of the info to help you best select the right workout for you and then CRUSH IT!

I would love to help you with your health and fitness journey. If you have any questions, or would like to have me as your coach please email me at jaclynturner1@beachbodycoach.com

Grace & Peace, Jac