Saturday, December 27, 2014

Chicken Curry

Red curry paste and coconut milk give chicken tons of flavor in this belly-warming dish.
Total Time:​ 25 min.
Prep Time:​​​ 10 min.
Cooking Time:​ 15 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 tsp. coconut oil
1  medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1-inch slice fresh ginger, peeled, chopped
1  tsp. red curry paste
1 Tbsp. tomato paste, no sugar added
1 lb.​​​​ raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup lite canned coconut milk
½ cup water
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 tsp. Thai fish sauce (optional)
¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro (optional)
1½ tsp. palm sugar

Preparation:
1. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
3. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
4. Add curry paste and tomato paste; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
5. Add chicken; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes, or until it’s coated in paste.
6. Add coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
7. Add tomato, fish sauce (if desired), cilantro (if desired), and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Tip: Thai fish sauce is called nam pla. It can be purchased online or in an Asian market.
Curry chicken recipe nutrition facts and meal plan portions

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Baked Cauliflower Latkes




This healthy baked cauliflower latke recipe will help you cut back on calories during holiday festivities.
Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 16 servings, 1 latke each

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided use
2 cups hot water
1 (1½ lb.) medium cauliflower, cut into florets, hard stem discarded
2 large eggs
½ medium onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. garlic powder

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil; brush foil with 1 Tbsp. oil. Set aside.
3. Bring water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
4. Place cauliflower in a steamer basket in saucepan; steam for 4 to 7 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Drain well. Dry with a paper towel.
5. Place cauliflower in a large bowl; mash with a fork.
6. Add eggs, onion, flour, salt, and garlic powder; mix well.
7. Using ¼-cup measuring cup, scoop mixture into patties and place on prepared baking sheet.
8. Brush the tops evenly with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil; bake for 10 minutes. Flip latkes and bake an additional 10 minutes or until crisp.

Baked cauliflower latkes recipe

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Oven Poached Salmon


Poaching salmon guarantees succulent results every time. This delicious recipe is packed with omega-3s that are great for the heart!
Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 (4-oz) raw wild salmon fillets
Cold water
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
4 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves removed and chopped, stems discarded
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
4 wedges fresh lemon (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Place salmon in a baking dish. Add water until the level is halfway up the side of the fillet.
3. Sprinkle salmon with salt (if desired), pepper (if desired), and rosemary; drizzle with lemon juice.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork.
5. Gently remove salmon from liquid; serve.

Oven-poached salmon recipe nutrition facts and meal plan portions

Peppermint Mocha Chiller


Get the flavor of chocolate and peppermint with this yummy Shakeology recipe made with brewed coffee.
Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup brewed coffee, chilled
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place coffee, almond milk, Shakeology, extract, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Peppermint mocha chiller Shakeology recipe nutrition facts and meal plan portions.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Quinoa with Pistachios and Dried Cherries



Dried cherries and pistachios taste great together in this colorful side dish. It’s festive for a holiday meal, and makes great leftovers!
Total Time: 3 hrs. 20 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 8 servings, about ⅔ cup each

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
3 green onions, thinly sliced
⅓ cup raw pistachios, coarsely chopped
¼ cup dried cherries (low sugar preferably), coarsely chopped
½ cup chopped fresh basil
1 tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
½ tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup champagne (or balsamic) vinegar

Preparation:
1. Combine quinoa, green onions, pistachios, cherries, and basil in large serving bowl; mix well.
2. Season with salt and pepper; drizzle with olive oil and vinegar; toss gently to blend.
3. Refrigerate, covered, for 2 to 3 hours, or until cold. Serve cold.

Quinoa with pistachios and dried cherries nutrition facts and meal plan portions

Roasted Winter Vegetables



Roasting winter vegetables makes them sweeter and even more delicious.
Total Time: 1 hr. 5 min.
Prep Time: 25 min.
Cooking Time: 40 min.
Yield: 8 servings, about 1¼ cups each

Ingredients:
1 lb. winter squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 lb. parsnips, peeled, cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1½-inch pieces
2 large carrots, cut into 1½-inch pieces
2 medium beets, cut into 1½-inch pieces
2 medium yellow onions, peeled, quartered
5 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (or 2 tsp. dried thyme)
1 tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
½ tsp. ground black pepper

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Line two large baking sheets with foil. Set aside.
3. Combine squash, parsnips, sweet potato, carrots, beets, and onions in a large bowl; mix well.
4. Add oil, thyme, salt, and pepper; toss gently to blend. Divide vegetables between prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake, mixing twice, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.

Roasted winter vegetables recipe nutrition facts and meal plan portions

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Tuscan Chicken with Olives and Capers

This chicken dish gets bold flavor from capers, tomatoes, and olives. Give it even more richness with kalamata or other specialty olives.
Total Time: 35min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients: 
2 tsp. olive oil, divided use
4 (4-oz.) raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
4 medium shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes, no salt added
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
Ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 Tbsp. capers
2 Tbsp. sliced black olives
2 cups cooked brown rice

Preparation:
1. Heat 1 tsp. oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken; cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan. Keep warm.
3. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add shallots; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, on until translucent.
5. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
6. Add tomatoes, bay leaf, and thyme. Season with pepper if desired; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
7. Add capers, olives, and chicken; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle. Remove bay leaf.
8. Divide rice evenly between four serving plates. Top with chicken breast and sauce.

Tuscan chicken with capers and olives nutrition facts and meal plan portions

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Healthier Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing can be loaded with fat and calories. Make your own homemade ranch with this healthier recipe.
Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 5 servings, about 2 Tbsp. each

Ingredients:
1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 Tbsp. Ranch Seasoning Blend

Preparation:
1. Combine yogurt, buttermilk, and Seasoning Blend in a small bowl; mix well.

Beachbody Blog Calories Ranch Dressing

Oatmeal Raisin Cranberry Cookies

Need a sweet treat that won’t end up on your waistline? Your healthy diet can include these delicious oatmeal cookies with sweet raisins and tangy cranberries.
Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 15 min.
Yield: 18 servings, 1 cookie each

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1¼ cups whole wheat flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ tsp. baking soda
1 scoop Beachbody Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Flavor
¾ cup thawed apple juice concentrate
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Lightly coat baking sheet with spray. Set aside.
3. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and Protein Powder in a medium bowl; mix well. Set aside.
4. Combine apple juice concentrate and applesauce in a medium bowl; mix well.
5. Add the apple juice mixture to the flour mixture; mix until just blended.
6. Fold in raisins and cranberries; mix well.
7. Drop by rounded Tbsp. onto prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Peppermint Mocha Latte



Come the holiday season, I love peppermint mocha lattes. But, they’re full of a ton of additives. The ingredients of Starbucks version (my personal favorite) are: espresso, milk, mocha sauce (corn syrup, water, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, cocoa (processed with alkali 13%), potassium sorbate, artificial flavor), and peppermint-flavored syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, preservative, sodium benzoate, citric acid), whipped cream, and dark chocolate.
Hmm. This prompted me to ask our incredible nutritionists to whip up their own version. I couldn’t be happier, and I think you’ll love it too. If you swap almond milk for nonfat milk and leave out the honey, you can enjoy it vegan.
Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 5 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. raw honey (optional)
¼ tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup brewed black coffee (or 1 shot espresso)
1 fresh mint leaf (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Bring milk, cocoa powder, and honey (if desired), and peppermint extract to a boil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat; mix vigorously with a whisk until frothy.
3. Pour coffee into a large serving mug; top with milk mixture.
4. Garnish with mint leaf if desired.

Calories in Peppermint Mocha Latte Beachbody Blog
Here’s the nutrition details for the vegan version:
Beachbody Blog Calories in Peppermint Mocha Latte Vegan

Arugula Salad with Peaches and Mozzarella

Yum! Sweet, fresh peaches are the star of this salad. They pair perfectly with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar.
Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
8 cups arugula (or mixed salad greens)
2 medium ripe peaches, sliced
1 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, thickly sliced
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Preparation:
1. Place rocket on a large serving plate.
2. Top with peaches and cheese.
3. Drizzle salad evenly with oil and vinegar.
4. Serve immediately.