Prebiotics and Probiotics: Vital for a Healthy Gut

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Prebiotics and Probiotics: Vital for a Healthy Gut

by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD

Prebiotics and Probiotics. You may hear these terms thrown around a lot, especially at health food stores. I have had a lot of people ask which one is best? Well, you actually need both. They need one another for them to be as beneficial as possible. We will discuss this further below:
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that are connected to increasing the growth of good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics may improve gut health, increasing fecal transit time, and could potentially improve calcium absorption.
Sources of Prebiotics
Prebiotics are found in bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, soybeans and whole-wheat foods. You don’t need powders, pills and potions!
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are the actual “good” bacteria, also known as live cultures, similar to those found in the gut. These active cultures help to balance gut flora (bacteria). Probiotics have been used for treatment of constipation, irregularity or irritable bowel syndrome. Some strains of these live cultures may reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, however, each person is different and not everyone experiences the same benefits of probiotics as others.
Sources of Probiotics
Fermented dairy foods including yogurt, kefir products and aged cheeses are excellent sources of probiotics due to the high live culture content found within them. Kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh are also great non-dairy sources. Again no powders, pills or potions needed!
So Why Do We Need Both?
Prebiotics (“good” bacteria promoters) and probiotics (“good” bacteria) are synergistic (known as synbiotics) and work together. Think of prebiotics as the breakfast, lunch and dinner for probiotics. We need to feed our probiotics with prebiotics. Just like complimentary proteins, we can combine food sources to get both in at the same time. For example, try bananas over nonfat, plain Greek yogurt.
At the very least (as the FDA has no claims about prebiotic and probiotic use as nutrition boosters, only structure-function claims), prebiotics and probiotics are helpful for good gut health. You can incorporate these ingredients into your diet without even trying since the sources are Dolce-Approved anyway!
Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics


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December 30, 2014

Staci Shares Her Dolce Diet Progress!

Staci Shares Her Dolce Diet Progress!

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Staci Blythe via Instagram: Fiiirrrsstttt poooosstttt!!!!! A progress picture, of course!! Pictures are about a year and 2 months apart!! #Fitfam #progress #girlswholift #dolcediet #getonnit

 

How did your workouts start?

 
 

I started by reading the first book, then ordered the cookbook, and then later the 3 weeks to shredded.

 

Thoughts?

 
 

@thedolcediet no stinkin joke! Been Dolce and #onnit for a year and a half, never felt better and never looked better. Heard you talk about frozen grapes on the Jason Ellis show and it helped me break a sugar addiction. I lost 7 inches in my waist alone and I love what I eat!!

 

Advice?

 
 

Stick with it!! Every healthy meal is a step in the right direction! Every single healthy choice counts!! I found that if I’m wanting fast food or something, I’ll do 25 burpees and remind myself how many more of those horrible things it will take to try to negate fast food, then I fill up on something awesome as healthy instead. The gratification from good choices will continue to motivate you!

 

Follow Staci Blythe on Instagram


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November 30, 2014

The Skinny on Artificial Sweeteners, Cane Sugar and Natural Sugars

Artificial Sweeteners, Cane Sugar
& Natural Sugars

by Samantha Coogan-Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

Many people tend to have a sweet tooth. Sugars makes cakes taste better, cookies smell better, and makes whipped cream that perfect consistency. However, it wreaks havoc on our blood sugar levels and oftentimes leads to bloating and excess fat storage (any unused glucose as fuel gets stored as fat). So many, many years ago, food scientists engineered the artificial sweetener, which was supposed to solve all of our problems! No spikes in blood sugar, zero calories (making it a “diet” food), 2-3 times sweeter than sugar! The problem with that theory is that new studies are emerging claiming that artificial sweeteners do actually induce a glycemic response in the blood due to the unaccounted for bacteria that remains in the gut.

Certain artificial sweeteners alter the typical balance of our gut bacteria, forcing them to swell and overcrowding ensues. This altered bacteria possess qualities that allow for them to signal glucose uptake. There is still more research to be done in this area, but be cautious, especially if a doctor is telling you that diet soda is a better alternative than regular soda, especially if you are diabetic.

Your typical artificial sweeteners include, saccharin (“Sweet-N-Low”), sucralose (“Splenda”), aspartame (“Equal”), and acesulfame-K (“NutriSweet” – most common type found in diet sodas). Saccharin is 300x sweeter than sugar, aspartame is 200x sweeter, while sucralose is 600x sweeter. The problem with relying on artificial sweeteners is that, much like alcohol, we build a tolerance to the sweetness level. So if we have a Splenda* every day in our coffee, then let’s say we run out and only have natural sugar available, that natural sugar won’t taste nearly as sweet and we will likely have to add about 15 teaspoons of sugar to get the same effect as that ONE Splenda packet. And keep in mind that one teaspoon of sugar yields 15 calories. So let’s take 15 calories x 15 teaspoons and you’re at 225 calories coming from SUGAR, which will be converted to glucose in the body, sending your blood sugar levels through the roof. Artificial sweeteners also tend to cause bloating and diarrhea since the altered sugar molecules absorb and retain water so easily.

*NOTE: not all artificial sweeteners are zero calories. Non-nutritive refers to zero calorie sweeteners, while the nutritive sweeteners will yield a small amount of calories per serving, usually no more than 5 calories per serving.

Stevia (“Truvia”) is considered a natural sweetener, meaning it is found in nature and has not been chemically altered. However, the same tolerance habits can form from using stevia as well since it is 10-15 times sweeter than sugar. Agave nectar is another natural sugar alternative and does not induce a high glycemic response, however, it does contain a high amount of fructose, which in large amounts can eventually lead to insulin resistance (it contains about 70% fructose compared to regular sugar which contains 50% fructose – 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose).

Now let’s talk about pure cane sugar. Pure cane sugar is simply cultivated from sugar cane rather than from beets and is said to be of higher quality. However, sugar is sugar. It will induce the same high glycemic response and still yields 15 calories per teaspoon. And “raw, organic” pure cane sugar doesn’t make it any healthier. It is identical to regular cane sugar.

Honey is often a better option than sugar as it is 80% sugar, however, it is still important to consume in moderate quantities. And since it is a natural sugar, honey also offers antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that cane sugar does not.

So when looking to sweeten a dish, choose a natural product in moderation. Natural tends to be better than genetically modified. You may have to sacrifice some calories in order to do so, but overall your body won’t become dependent or tolerant of excessively high sweetness levels.
Source


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November 12, 2014

The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded Named An Amazon Editors' Best Book of 2014!

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Thank you, Amazon Editors for naming
The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded
an Editors’ Best Book for 2014!

– Buy Now At Amazon –


More About Amazon.com’s Best Books of 2014 (from Amazon.com)
All year, Amazon.com’s editorial team reads with an eye for the Best Books of the Month, plus the best books in popular categories like Cooking, Food & Wine, Literature & Fiction, Children’s books, Mystery & Thrillers, Comics & Graphic Novels, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, the best books for teens, and more. We scour reviews and book news for tips on what the earliest readers have loved, share our own copies and tear through as many books as possible. Then we face off in a monthly Best Books meeting to champion the titles we think will resonate most with readers.
In October, we collect all our favorites, look at upcoming 2014 titles, and cast our ballots for the Best Books of the Year. The titles that made our lists are the keepers, the ones we couldn’t forget. Many of our editorial picks for the best books are also customer favorites and best sellers, but we love to spotlight the best books you might not otherwise have heard about, too.
The books included in Amazon’s Best Books program are entirely editorial selections. We are committed to helping customers find terrific gifts for booklovers and drawing more attention to exceptional authors. Our passion is for uniting readers of all ages and tastes with their next favorite reads.

November 8, 2014

THE MIKE DOLCE SHOW – Ep. 96 The Gym Rant & Your Questions Answered


In this episode of the Mike Dolce Show fitness podcast, Mike discusses the Dolce Diet Coach’s Certification course and upcoming seminar, top CrossFitter Lindsey Valenzuela’s meal plan, 3 Weeks to Shredded for the high school athlete, techniques for gaining lean muscle, how to inspire others to live a healthier lifestyle, the weight cut for boxing, and more!

Mike Dolce is the 2013 World MMA Awards Trainer of the Year, 2014 NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee and 2014 Men’s Fitness Top 30 Game Changer for fitness. As the founder of The Dolce Diet & creator of UFC FIT, Mike Dolce is known the world over for his work managing the weight cuts of UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks, Ronda Rousey, Gilbert Melendez, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Alves and more!

His #1 international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean and The Dolce Diet: Living Lean Cookbook. For more information on Mike’s books, MMA weight cuts, weight management, gaining muscle, weight loss, overall healthy living, UFC FIT and so much more, visit TheDolceDiet.com, TheMikeDolceShow.com and UFCFIT.com.
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November 4, 2014

MIKE DOLCE: The Top 10 Items in My Kitchen

The Top 10 Items In My Kitchen

by Mike Dolce

BerkeyHomeClick above for more information on the sizes and benefits of the Berkey Water Filter.

1) Water. We use a water purifying system made by Berkey, which sits on on our counter top and can be filled directly from our tap. What I like about the Berkey system is how convenient and affordable it is. At less than 6 cents per gallon, we reduce 99.99 percent of all viruses, bacteria, chemicals, metals and more. It’s much less expensive than a complete home filter and more effective than one of those Pur® filters that hangs off your faucet.

chia-seeds

2) Chia. Also known as a Warrior Food, chia seeds have been used for centuries by native tribes venturing out on hunting parties or in the midst of waging war. Why chia? Because this seed is power packed with essential fats, proteins, carbohydrates and fiber. It is very easy to store -natives carried it in satchels at the hip – and it mixes well with water as a beverage, or turns into a pudding.
 

coconut-oil-onnit-the-dolce-dietSave 10% off your order at Onnit.com with promo code DOLCE

3) Coconut Oil. This oil is a mainstay for me. We can talk about the amazing benefit of medium chain triglycerides that it contains or the delicious creamy flavor it possesses. I have 1 tsp. of coconut oil in my black coffee to take the place of a sweetener and creamer. I also use it to make my famous Tropical Fried Chicken. We use this essential oil every day.

 blendtec

SALE: Save over 10% on a Blendtec blender right now at Onnit.com 

4) Blendtec. This high-powered blender has completely changed my life. We make our own almond butter for heavens sake! Ice cream, soups, hummus, and of course smoothies. It’s paid itself off just in the amount of produce we’ve been able to use (a juicer just juices, but in a Blendtec we’re able to juice down the pulp and all!) and it’s expanded our ability to create recipes most traditional kitchens just aren’t equipped for.

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5) Stainless steel cookware. This does include a good sharp knife! Our cookware is much like our mattresses, we should not go cheap or surely we will be disappointed with our purchase. I always make sure to stay away from any painted or coated surfaces. The last thing I want is chemicals leeching into my food at high temperatures when I’m trying to prepare a healthy meal for my family. Next, we need durability and craftsmanship that most quality stainless steel products will offer so the pans heat evenly, allowing you to fully utilize your entire cooking surface. Longevity. It is steel after all and it may be around long after you are!

glass-containers-dolce-diet6) Glass containers. This will allow us to store our food and juices in a non-porous, chemical free container allowing our nutrients to stay fresher with less chance of contamination as may happen with traditional plastic products. Glass is also much more durable if handled properly and should last through many decades of normal use.
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7) Vegetables. I always make sure we have an abundance of fresh veggies on hand. I don’t get too crazy about exact types and always look for what is fresh, local, in season, 100 percent organic and non-GMO. With these criteria, I may have spinach, kale, chard, Brussels sprouts, asparagus and broccoli rotating through my menu with great frequency, as opposed to simply eating broccoli and spinach every day. We like to diversify our veggies.
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8) Fruit. Very similar to veggies, we also like to rotate our fruit sources but we are a bit more selective as fruits can have a high sugar content and are only eaten at certain times in controlled amounts. Bananas and dates are very high in sugar and should be eaten after training. Grapes and apples are a bit milder and make great snacks. Berries and melons are easy to digest and perfect early in the day or as a dessert.

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9) Eggs. I consider eggs to be a wonder food. They are delicious, highly nutritious and carry a ton of nutrition for such a small size. Eggs, when cutting weight, can be a lifeline to a normal life. I like to make eggs all sorts of ways when cutting weight. Omelets, scrambled, deviled, poached, fried, and quiche are just a few of my recipes. Mix up some peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach and we have a party!

bobs-red-mill-organic-oat-bran-dolce-diet10) Oats & Oat Bran. These are a staple for me. The power of oats simply cannot be denied, and the ease of preparation, availability, cost effectiveness and nutrient per gram is stellar. Oats are my favorite way to start the day and mix so well with many vital nutrients.
 


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October 1, 2014

Burnin’ Love: Peppers and Their Nutritional Benefits

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Burnin’ Love: Peppers and Their Nutritional Benefits

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

Chili peppers are especially popular to add to dishes to give an extra kick of flavor. They are part of the nightshade family, which includes potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. They actually have no relation to black pepper, which is derived from the peppercorn plant.
The main ingredient, capsaicin, is what gives peppers their “heat” level, which ranges from sweet to fiery. Capsaicin produces endorphins, which naturally reduce stress and pain. Capsaicin has also been said to increase metabolism and fat oxidation. Most people think that the capsaicin is located in the seeds of the peppers, when actually most of it sits in the ribs or membrane of the pepper.

TIP: You should use gloves when handling especially hot peppers and avoid rubbing your eyes.

The heat levels of peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The hottest reported pepper is the Carolina Reaper with a Scoville rating of 1.5 million units. A jalapeno scores between 2500 and 5000 units. The Carolina Reaper borders on impossible to eat and could cause severe damage to gum and mouth tissues based solely on its heat level. Some remedies for highly spicy peppers is consuming milk, dairy, bread or rice.

MYTH BUSTER: Alcohol only magnifies the burn, so DO NOT try to mask it with beer!

Peppers are a great source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, potassium and vitamin B6. They also contain decent amounts of fiber and vitamin K, and are generally low-calorie.
Here’s a list of peppers ranked from least to most spicy for you to try in your Dolce-Approved recipes:
Peppers and their Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
1 Sweet Bells, Sweet Bananas, Pimento (negligible SHU)
2 Anaheim, Pepperonicini, Cherry (100 – 1000 SHU)
3 Ancho, Poblano (1000 – 1500 SHU)
4 Rocotillo (2500 – 5000 SHU)
5 Serrano, Jalapeno (5000 – 15,000 SHU)
6 Hidalgo, Puya, Chipotle (15,000 – 30,000 SHU)
7 Chile De Arbol, Manzano (30,000 – 50,000 SHU)
8 Cayenne, Santaka (50,000 – 100,000 SHU)
9 Thai, Bohemian (100,000 – 350,000 SHU)
10 Habanero, Devil’s Tongue (350,000 – 855,000 SHU)
11 Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper (855,000 – 1.5 million SHU)


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September 24, 2014

Celebrate National Chicken Month With These Dolce Diet Approved Recipes!

September is National Chicken Month!
Celebrate With These Recipes


Yep, you heard it right! So check out these Dolce-Approved recipes from our favorite piece of poultry! Remember, always use free-range, organic, grass-fed ingredients when available.
Chicken Tostadas with Baked Tortillas
Serves 4
Ingredients
• 4 gluten-free tortillas
• ¾ cup white cheddar cheese
• 2 cups organic, free-range chicken, shredded
• ½ cup green salsa verde
• 2 handfuls cilantro, chopped
• ¼ tsp. ground cumin
• ¾ cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 white onion, chopped
• Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (optional as topping)
• Avocado (optional as topping)
Directions
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Arrange tortillas on a baking sheet, and sprinkle cheese evenly over tortillas
• Bake 8-10 minutes
• Toss together chicken, salsa, and cumin
• Take tortillas out of the oven and spoon the chicken mixture evenly between the tortillas. Bake until heated throughout, around 5-8 minutes
• Top with cabbage, cilantro, onion, avocado and Greek yogurt (as desired)
Recipe adapted from Lefork.com


Southwest Grilled Chicken Spring Rolls
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
• 4 organic, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. chipotle powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• ¼ tsp. onion powder
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 large cucumber
• 2 carrots
• 2 avocados
• ½ bunch cilantro
• ½ lb. gluten-free or whole wheat angel hair pasta
• 2-4 tbsp. chile oil
• 12 sheets large rice paper rounds
Directions
• Drizzle chicken with oil and season with salt and black pepper on both sides. Combine spices for spice rub and sprinkle about ½ tsp. over each piece of chicken and rub in. Cover and set aside for 20 minutes.
• Rinse and peel carrots and spinach. Cut carrots and cucumber into julienne strips (1/8 to ¼ inch thick by 2 inches long).
• Grill chicken over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Turn chicken and grill another 4-5 minutes, but make sure it remains juicy. Set aside when done.
• Bring large pot of water to a boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente (should still have a little bite to it). Drain and rinse. Then toss pasta with chile oil.
• Cut chicken into strips.
• Rinse cilantro and remove leaves. Serve whole or chopped, whatever you prefer.
• Slice avocado just before assembly of rolls.
• Assemble each roll separately. Dip 1 rice paper into warm water for about 3 seconds and spread on work surface or large plate. Add ingredients in layers. Starting with the spinach, make 1-2 inch wide layers of leaves on edge of rice paper.
• Layer chicken strips, avocado, cucumber, and carrots over spinach. Top with a little bit of pasta and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.
• Carefully roll the rice paper over the filling. Tuck in the edges like a burrito or you can leave the edges exposed to see all the colorful veggies.
• You can make these up to 2 hours ahead of time and cover tightly with plastic wrap, or you can put all the ingredients on the table and have everyone assemble their own.
Recipe adapted from EverydaySouthwest.com


Baked Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Ingredients
• 2 cups shredded, cooked organic chicken
• 1 cup hot sauce (or to taste, some may like more, some may like less)
• 12 small to medium gluten-free or whole wheat wraps
• 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt with Ranch seasoning, for dipping
Directions
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Set wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat rack with grapeseed oil.
• Combine chicken and hot sauce in medium bowl until mixed well. Place a wrap on a clean work surface. Add about 2-3 tbsp. of chicken, followed by diced celery, and then some blue cheese crumbles. Be sure not to overfill the wraps.
• Fold the wraps as you would a burrito. You can insert a toothpick in the center or near ends to keep it together during baking. Place on prepared rack.
• Drizzle each wrap VERY LIGHTLY with grapeseed oil (you may have to put a small amount on your fingers and lightly rub over wraps). Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the wraps halfway through, or until wraps are golden brown and slightly crisp. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then serve with Greek yogurt with Ranch seasoning, if desired.
Recipe adapted from DaintyChef.com


Red, White and Blue Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
• 4 organic, chicken breasts
• grapeseed oil (for grilling the chicken)
• ground cumin, to taste
• sea salt and pepper, to taste
Red & Blueberry Salsa
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh whole blueberries
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seed and diced
• 1/4 red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 tbsp. fresh minced parsley
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• pinch salt
Directions
• In a bowl, stir together all ingredients for the salsa and refrigerate until ready to use (you can make this up to 1 day in advance but if you do so, I recommend waiting until right before you serve it to add the fresh minced parsley).
• Lightly brush olive oil on both sides of the chicken breast, then season both sides with salt, pepper and cumin. Grill the chicken until fully cooked (there should not be any pink).
• Serve the grilled chicken topped with salsa.
Recipe adapted from Justapinch.com


Grilled Chicken Skewers with Arugula
Ingredients
• 6-8 wooden skewers
• 1/4 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp. curry paste
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 organic chicken breasts
• 1/2 fresh cucumber, cubed
• arugula
• ¼ cup gouda cheese, cubed
Directions
• Preheat oven to 480 degrees.
• Soak skewers in water.
• In a large bowl, stir yogurt with curry paste and salt.
• Cut chicken lengthwise into 1 cm thick strips. Toss with sauce to coat. Let chicken marinate for 10 to 15 minutes or up to 1 day, refrigerated.
• Thread 1 strip of chicken onto each skewer.
• Brush oven grill pan well with oil. Add skewers to grill. Cook, flipping as needed, until chicken is cooked all the way through but still juicy, about 8-10 minutes.
• Serve chicken skewers with salad: garnish with cucumber and cheese cut into small cubes and arugula leaves.
• Drizzle with yogurt sauce with mustard (1:1).
Recipe adapted from BiteDelight.com


Sonoma Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Serves 5-6
Ingredients
Sonoma Chicken Salad
• 3 1/2 cups organic cooked, shredded chicken (about 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts)
• 3 stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2/3 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmesan cheese
• Gluten-free or whole wheat rolls, for serving
Dressing
• 2/3 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup organic apple juice
• 3 tbsp. honey
• 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. yellow mustard
• 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds (chia or hemp seeds would work here, too)
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
• In a large mixing bowl combine shredded chicken, celery, pecans, dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese; set aside.
• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until well blended. Pour dressing mixture over chicken mixture and toss to evenly coat.
• Serve over rolls.
*Store chicken mixture in resealable, refrigerated container, up to 3 days.
Recipe adapted from TheComfortOfCooking.com


Kale Caesar Salad Wrap
Serves 2
Ingredients
• 8 oz organic, grilled chicken, thinly sliced
• 6 cups curly kale, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 3/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• ½ coddled egg (cooked about 1 minute – this is a gently or lightly cooked egg)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. honey or agave
• 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 gluten-free or whole wheat tortillas or wraps
Directions
• In a bowl, mix together the half of a coddled egg, minced garlic, mustard, honey, lemon juice and olive oil. Whisk until you have formed a dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the kale, chicken and cherry tomatoes and toss to coat with the dressing and ¼ cup of the shredded parmesan.
• Spread out the two tortillas. Evenly distribute the salad over the two wraps and sprinkle each with ¼ cup of parmesan.
• Roll up the wraps and slice in half. Eat immediately
Recipe adapted from HeatherChristo.com


Chicken-Quinoa Burgers with Avocado-Yogurt Sauce
Serves 4
Ingredients
• 1 pound ground, organic chicken
• 3/4 cup uncooked black quinoa (or regular)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 cup cilantro leaves, divided in half
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 avocado
• 3 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
• juice from a lime (about 2 tbsp.)
• 4 onion buns
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (flavor is similar to Parmesan or Greek feta cheese)
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
• Cook the quinoa in boiling water for about 15 minutes, until it pops into little spirals. Drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cooked quinoa, red bell pepper, half the cilantro, chili powder, cumin, ground coriander, garlic salt, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
• Thoroughly mix with your hands, and then form four little patties.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the patties and sear until browned on both sides and cooked all the way through, 10 – 12 minutes total. Set aside.
• In a food processor, combine the avocado, yogurt, remaining cilantro, lime juice and a pinch of salt.
• Lightly toast the onion buns brushed with olive oil and garlic salt.
• Smear a little of the avocado sauce on the bottom half of the onion bun. Top with a chicken-quinoa patty. Then a ton more avocado sauce. Then some crumbled cotija cheese.
*You can use cilantro as a garnish if desired.
• Serve with sweet potato fries.
Recipe adapted from BevCooks.com


Spicy Spinach Arugula Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 (2-inch long) red or green jalapeno pepper, stemmed and coarsely chopped*
• 2 cups grated Asiago cheese
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3 oz baby spinach
• 3 oz arugula
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. gluten-free or whole wheat spiral pasta
• 4 oz Asiago cheese, shaved
• 4-6 oz grilled, organic chicken, sliced
*Note: For a milder pesto, remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper.
Directions
For the pesto
•In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, jalapeno, cheese, salt and pepper.
• Process until the mixture is smooth. Add the spinach and arugula and process until blended.
• With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Place the cooked pasta and pesto in a large serving bowl. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Toss in sliced, grilled chicken and mix well.
• Garnish with Asiago cheese shavings and serve.
Recipe adapted from FoodNetwork.com


Creamy BBQ Chicken Pizza
Makes 2 10-inch pizzas
• 2 10-inch gluten-free or whole wheat pizza crusts
• 2 organic, chicken breasts, poached and chopped
• 1 tbsp. grapeseed oil
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup organic BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp. divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• good handful cilantro, for garnish
Directions
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Toss the chopped chicken with 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium high. Add the onions and sauté until softened and slightly charred, about 8 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, add the BBQ sauce on very low heat to thin out the sauce (be sure not to overheat, otherwise it will stick to the pan).
• On a clean work surface, arrange pizza crusts. Evenly spoon the creamy BBQ sauce over each crust. 6. • Top with chopped chicken, sautéed onions and the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Slide onto a pizza stone (if you have one) and bake roughly 15 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and bubbly on top.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro, slice and inhale the entire thing when no one is looking.
Recipe adapted from BevCooks.com


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September 18, 2014

Tired? How to Beat The Mid-Day Slump

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Tired? How to Beat The Mid-Day Slump
& Boost Your Energy

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

Physical activity is a large part of increasing longevity. However, sometimes our jobs don’t allow much movement. You’ve probably heard that staying sedentary will increase your risk heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, which would lead to an increased risk of death at a younger age. But, there is an easy fix to sitting for too long!
Researchers have reported that a decrease in the function of the legs’ arteries occurs within only an hour of sitting. However, blood flow can be restored in just five minutes!

Get Your Blood Flowing!

Here are some no-sweat things to do to reverse the damage to your legs’ arteries.
• Take a 5-minute walk around the office or courtyard.
• Take a quick hike up and down the stairs (at a steady, easy pace).
• Offer to walk around the corner for a coffee run for your coworkers.
• Ask a coworker to go on a walk around the office or to just get up and get a snack with you.
• Stand up and stretch at your desk. (Who cares what other people think! It’s YOUR health, not theirs!)
• Get up to use the restroom, even if it’s just to wash your hands.
• Take advantage of your lunch break as an extended period to keep moving. Most people have a half hour to one hour lunch break, so try to walk to a close restaurant or to a park to eat your lunch there.


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September 11, 2014