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Friday, December 30, 2011

As some of you may have read, it's not a good idea to start new habits on the beginning of the week or a new month or worst of all new years. So trying to follow  this sage advice I've begun my healthy eating and fitness routine early. Let's hope this one sticks. I challenge all of you to set small goals and join me. Here's to a new year of health and fitness. Cheers. Good luck.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

 Taro Chips are a great snacking alternative to fried potato chips, or for that matter anything fried. Here is the before and after photo. Really crunchy and filling with just a light brush of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt
Taro Chips Recipe
Taro root sliced in to 1/4 inch slices
Brush with olive oil
Sprinkle with salt
Bake at 400° for 10min on each side

*important side note taro root is slightly toxic uncooked

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Just a little shopping trip to, Uwajimaya our local Asian super store for unique vegetables and fruits for juicing. Fresh juice is amazing, and though sometimes I really have to just chug it down the benefits are worth it. Thank you Dan for the ride, the translations, and even more for the company!


Papayas, aloe leaves, banana blossoms and durian (the prickly fruit in the yellow bag)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Here is another recipe I pull out in the fall that happens to be pretty healthy with some minor adjustments, lentil and sausage soup. Lentils are a great food for helping keep you full and are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are a great source protein, iron, phosphorus and copper, and are a very good source of dietary fiber.  I think many people dismiss them either because they don't know what they are or how to prepare them. This is one of my favorites.

Lentil & Sausage Stew (recipe for double Crockpot)
1lb Lentils (rinsed & drained)
10c water
2 carrots cubed
1 onion diced
1lb ground sausage (chicken or turkey for low fat option)
2tsp garlic powder
1tsp cayenne
dash of cinnamon 
salt and pepper to taste

Combine lentils, water and seasoning in a large Crockpot, set for low and leave overnight, aprox. 10 hours. Add carrots and onion and any additional seasoning (thyme, rosemary, oregano) and cook till carrots are soft.

*I don't really measure anything except the water in my Crockpot recipes so all seasoning is really done to taste. Basically I smell the seasoning and say sure that would go well and add some then check it in a half an hour and see if it needs more. I encourage you to go to your local supermarket and find the bulk spices section, yes it will take some time to package them up yourself, but check the prices against pre-packaged spices and you'll see why. Get some of everything and go wild in you're cooking.

Hearty, Healthy, and Delicious!

Nik & David

Monday, September 12, 2011

Week one down!
It's been an interesting week getting used to working out everyday, oh who am I kidding, forcing myself to work out everyday. I still haven't been using the Bowflex regularly but that is my goal for this week. Down about 5lbs so that is an upside and we decided to do photos and measurements every two weeks so be checking back on the 19th.
Eating better has been easier. Hope you enjoyed some ham & beans with us. I've got another recipe or two from my crock pot repertoire. Trust me it's not all we cook but it's really filling and healthy especially in the beginning while we become used to eating more sensible portions. We splurge once a week, usually a burger from Blue Moon Burgers or sliders and tacos from Marination Station. I think it helps us keep on track for the week.
Thank you for the encouragement this week as we get our butts off the couch!

Cheers,
Nik & David

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Healthy Ham & Beans 
One of our favorite healthy dishes is Ham & Beans. It's got great protein and fiber, and though it's got some fat from the ham, we've discovered that if you use a ham shank instead of ham hocks it reduces the fat and really increases the meat volume. Here is the basic recipe, all of the spices are to taste. I don't recommend adding salt till the last hour of cooking due to the salt content that comes from the smoking process. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
Ham & Beans ala Crock Pot
(Recipe based on a double crock pot)

1 Large smoked ham shank or 2 ham hocks
1lb Assorted dried beans (pinto, red, kidney)
1 Large onion roughly chopped (we prefer Walla Walla Sweets)
1 Bell pepper roughly chopped
Chili Powder
Paprika
Cayenne
Cracked Black Pepper
Salt
Rinse your beans and add to crock pot
Add ham shank and cover the beans and ham with water.
Set the crock pot on low overnight aprox. 8-12 hours
Turn the pot to high for another 4-6 hours or until beans become soft and begin to break down.
In the last 30 min to an hour of cooking add onion, bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, cayenne and cracked black pepper. All times are approximate and recipe is based on a double crock pot.
We enjoy the dish when the beans are about half broken down and all the smoke has infused in to dish. We hope you enjoy the dish as much as we do.

Hearty, Healthy, & Delicious,

Nik & David




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Well it's taken us months to get to this point, but we've done it. My hubby and I measured and photographed. My personal goal is to drop 20lbs by my birthday in October. Enjoy the journey with us.

Nik
David

 

        Measurements Day 1   9.5.11

Weight              179                                           184.4
BMI                   28.4                                           24.4
BF%                  30.5                                           21.7

Arms                 13.5                                            13
Shoulder           23                                               22
Chest                 41                                               42
Waist                39.5                                             36
Hips                  37                                                37
Glutes               39                                                39.5
Quads               23                                                22
Calves              15.5                                              15