Out of Town

Hey there Zoner's...I will not be blogging until Friday due to being out of town! Thanks

Tuna Pita

This is a great 2 block snack or light lunch...
Tuna Pita Wedges- 2 blocks
1 whole wheat pita cut into 1/4's (2 block carbs)
2 oz tuna (1/2 oz on each wedge) (2 blocks protein/ 2 blocks fat)
Dab of relish to top. Post thoughts to comments.

Grilled Chicken Salad

I marinated the chicken in a Chipotle seasoning before grilling, in order to give this salad a little extra flavor. Use whichever salad fixings you like and add chicken cut into strips on top!
Grilled Chicken Salad- 3 blocks
3 oz grilled chicken (3 blocks protein)
4 cups mixed greens (1 block carbs)
1/4 cup kidney beans (1 block carbs)
3 croutons crushed (1 block carbs)
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing and almond slivers (3 blocks fat)
Post thoughts to comments.

Another 40 Days Check In!

We are now a little over half way (hard to believe) on the 40 days with no cheating. Here is what my experience has been thus far. The first two weeks I felt pretty good, with no real changes. However, in week three I definitely noticed that my energy is down and I am not feeling as good as I normally do. I am not sure if it is the decrease in overall calories, or the lack of any kind of insulin spike in the week. I will tell you this...appreciate and EMBRACE your cheat days. They are important on many levels, but your body needs the break as well (at least mine appears to!). I will finish this out to the end, but I will look at my cheat days with a whole new respect. Post thoughts to comments.

Food Log- Example

I was hoping to get this image bigger, however, it is an example of how simple a food log can be. Create a page to track your protein, carbs, fat and total blocks per meal. That's it! I can not stress enough how much this will help you to keep focused and accountable for your blocks! (if you click on the picture it will enlarge so you can print it out)

Pork Chops with Apple Relish

I like to use thin sliced pork cutlets for this recipe. The apple relish is very simple and adds a lot of flavor to the pork. In a small saucepan add 1 large apple peeled and cut into small pieces, 2 TB apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to let simmer for 10 minutes or so, or until apples are soft. Makes two servings (1 block each).
Pork Chop Dinner- 3 blocks
3 oz pork cutlet (3 blocks protein)
1/2 serving apple relish (1 block carbs)
2 cups green beans and cashews (1+ block carbs/ 3 blocks fat)
Post thoughts to comments.

Roasted Chicken

I used the rotisserie setting on our grill for this, but you can roast a whole chicken in the oven just as easily and have lots of great leftovers!
Roasted Chicken- 3 blocks
3 oz chicken (3 blocks protein)
1 1/2 cups green beans (1 block carbs)
2 cups mixed greens with kidney beans, goat cheese, pecans and 3 crushed croutons (2 blocks carbs/ 3 blocks fat).

Zone Shake

I posted this when I first started this blog. However, I still get asked frequently about protein shakes. I am all about simplicity, and this Zone shake is definitely that. ProZone is a pre-balanced shake mix that comes in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors. If made with water it makes a 2 block shake. If made with milk (I recommend) it makes a 3 block shake. To make: in a a blender combine 1 cup milk, 3 heaping TB ProZone and 7-9 ice cubes. Blend until smooth (add more ice if you like your shakes really thick). I have this for late night snack most nights because it is sweet enough to be like a dessert, and it fills me up. You can buy this at some Vitamin Centers as well as online through Nutribiotic. (www.nutribiotic.com) Post thoughts to comments.

It Tastes Like Apple Pie!!!

This is my current favorite snack! I am not a fan of Greek Yogurt by itself, however, it takes on the flavor of whatever you add to it. I prefer the Fage yogurt (you can find it in most grocery stores) because the texture is smoother. For a 1 block snack: mix 1/2 container Greek Yogurt, 1 TB apple butter and top with slivered almonds. For a two block snack use the whole container and double your other quantities! It is really delicious and very easy! I have this for dessert a lot as well. Post thoughts to comments.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

My family does not care for cabbage, but it is an obvious side to this traditional St. Patrick's dish! I cooked this corned beef brisket in the crockpot for about 11 hours on low. The carrots were added in the last hour of cooking. Corned beef is a fatty meat, so take that into account with the rest of your meal.
Corned Beef Dinner- 3 blocks
3 oz corned beef (3 blocks protein/ 2 blocks fat)
1 cup green beans and small spoonful of carrots (1 block carbs)
2 cups green salad (2 blocks carbs/ 1 block fat)
Post thoughts to comments.