Burnin’ Love: Peppers and Their Nutritional Benefits

chili-peppers-benefits

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

Breast Milk Storage Safety

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Breast Milk Storage Safety

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

This post is for our Dolce-Approved moms who are choosing to breastfeed! Congratulations on your little one and kudos to you for breastfeeding. It is no easy feat as you have to watch everything YOU eat in order to keep the milk suitable for your new baby. There are many breast milk storage systems on the market today. No matter which you choose, the quick tips below can help you keep the supply fresh and safe.
Naturally, breast milk is free of bacteria. However, if you pump and save it for later, the milk can become contaminated from the breast shield of the breast pump or the bottle. Be sure to thoroughly wash hands prior to pumping or feeding and always make sure the breast shield is also clean. And NEVER add fresh breast milk to a container that has older breast milk in it.
Safe storage temperatures for breast milk are room temperature for up to four hours, refrigeration for up to 48 hours, or frozen below 0 degrees for 3-6 months. However, once you defrost breast milk, it should be consumed within 24 hours or thrown away. Also remember to never refreeze thawed breast milk.
For more breastfeeding tips, you should seek out the help of a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC).

Source: AND Food & Nutrition Magazine. Sept/Oct 2014 Issue.


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September 22, 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

Mike Dolce Named A Men's Fitness Magazine 2014 Game Changer

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MEN’S FITNESS: “They hail from the worlds of sports, finance, fashion, health, and media. They’re fit, they’re bold, and they’re driven by success just as much as by failure. They’re not superheroes. (Actually, some of them are.) But as builders, thinkers, heavy hitters, and bicycle-smashing filmmakers, they’re all forces to be reckoned with. So meet the new Men’s Fitness Game Changers—the guys who made 2014 their very own.”

Find out what Men’s Fitness has to say about Mike Dolce in October’s issue – on newsstands now!


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September 15, 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

What Are GMOs or Genetically Modified Organisms?

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What Are GMOs or Genetically Modified Organisms?

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

You may hear and see manufacturers boast that their product is non-GMO on their food packages. But what does that mean? A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genetic makeup has been changed using genetic engineering techniques, which includes physically inserting a piece of DNA via syringe or attaching the genes to a virus.
Basically, the genes of these foods become little X-Men with mutated genes. Some of the health risks associated with GMO consumption include: Intestinal bleeding/damage, stomach bleeding, allergy development, and potentially precancerous cell growth.
Always feed your body whole, earth-grown foods without pesticides, mutations or fillers. Also, look for packaging to state “non-GMO”, such as, eggs from non-GMO chickens, for example.
Below is a list of genetically modified foods that you should try to avoid at all costs (look at the ingredient list!):
Soy
• According to the USDA, in 2011, 94% of the soybean crops in the US were genetically modified
• Can be found in soy products, such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, miso, and tempeh, as well as any product containing the emulsifier lecithin (derived from soybean oil)
Corn
• According to the USDA, in 2011, 88% of the corn crops in the US were genetically modified
• Found in hundreds of products, including: breakfast cereals, corn-flour products (tortillas or chips), corn oil products (mayonnaise or shortening), and anything sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, including, sweetened fruit drinks, cookies, yogurts, soups, condiments
• Avoid buying poultry, beef and eggs that have been fed a GMO diet (corn meal, corn products) and opt for free-range or grass-fed
Canola Oil
• According to the New York Times, in 2010, 90% of the canola crops in the US were genetically modified
• Found in any canola oil made in the USA
• Originated from grapeseed oil by breeders in Canada (the name is an abbreviation for “Canadian oil, low acid”)
• Comes from a genetically modified plant that is no longer harvested, but grows across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Canada
Milk
• Contains recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), a synthetic hormone injected into cows to increase milk production
• 17% of US cows were injected with rBST in 2007 (most recent figure)
• Milk from rBST-treated cows contain increased levels of Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone that may increase risks for certain cancers
• No label is required for milk from cows injected with rBST
• Non-rBST milk manufacturers will boast on the front label
Aspartame
• Artificial sweetener from genetically modified microorganisms
• Found in over 6,000 products, including diet sodas
• Avoid anything containing Nutrasweet, Equal (blue packets), or aspartame & opt for honey or agave syrup instead
Source


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September 8, 2014

4 Healthy & Guilt-Free Late-Night Snacks

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4 Healthy & Guilt-Free Late-Night Snacks

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

Late-night snacks don’t have to be synonymous with guilt! Try out these delicious treats when you get those evening cravings!

Apple Slices with Almond Butter & Raisins

Put a little spin on this classical snack by slicing the apples across like little doughnuts instead of traditional slices. Spread a small dollop of almond butter (just enough to cover the top of the slice, and sprinkle with a few raisins. It’s like a healthy cookie with the same crunch and sweetness!!

Frozen Fruit

Freeze your favorite fruits, such as, raspberries, sliced strawberries, cherries, grapes, banana slices or blueberries, for a quick, cool treat. Easy to make, easy to eat and less mess than ice cream or a popsicle.

Greek Yogurt-Filled Strawberries with Honey Drizzle

Take a whole strawberry and cut the stem off. Now core out the center of the strawberry. You can achieve this with a paring knife or a melonballer if you have one. Now fill the hole with some plain, non-fat Greek yogurt. Lightly drizzle with honey or agave syrup and enjoy!

Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt

I’ve saved the best for last! Who doesn’t love eating raw cookie dough? Since we were kids we’ve loved to go against Mom’s rule and dig our finger, or spoon, into the uncooked madness. However, here is a much healthier spin on our favorite guilty pleasure.
What You’ll Need:
•1 small container (6 oz, or 170g) of plain Greek yogurt
•1 tablespoon almond butter
•1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
•¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•pinch of sea salt (optional)
•1 tablespoon mini chocolate nibs
Simply combine all ingredients until smooth and indulge! The thickness of the honey combined with the thicker texture of the Greek yogurt will blend to make a more solid texture, closer to traditional cookie dough consistency.


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September 3, 2014