Farm Fresh

I recently starting getting this service at my house, and so far it has been great. Every other Thursday (you can opt for every week if you choose) a box of fresh, organic vegetables and fruit come to my door. The company is call Farm Fresh to You and they offer a great variety of packages to fit any one's needs. Once you sign up they have an exclusion list on your account so that you can list the foods you like and dislike. That way you only receive the food types you will use. The website to check it out is farmfreshtoyou.com, so if it sounds like something you might be interested in...check it out!

Turkey Taco Salad

This is a great simple dinner than makes easy leftovers for lunches during the week if you make extra taco meat. Make your portion to suit your blocks (this one is 3 blocks) just remember that ground turkey is 1 1/2 oz per block!

Steak and Broccoli Slaw

Skirt or flank steak both work well with this because they are easily cut into strips. I used 1 whole bag of broccoli slaw and added in some broccoli crowns, red bell pepper and ginger. Grill you steak and set aside. Saute all other ingredients in a stir fry or large saute pan until veggies are tender. I whole bag of broccoli slaw is only 1/4 block of carbs...so you get a LOT! Add in whatever you desire and place your block portion of steak to top!

Soups On!

Sometimes there is nothing better than a bowl of hot soup! Most of these ingredients are things I always have on hand, but feel free to vary it to suit your tastes! To make: Add one carton of organic (Trader's has a good range free one) chicken broth to a medium sized pot. Add 3 celery stalks sliced, 2 sliced carrots, 2 zucchini halved and sliced, 1/2 yellow onion, 1/2 cup parsnip chopped, 1 1/2 cups pre-cooked chicken cut into pieces, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low to simmer. I figure each cup is about 1 block of carbs and protein. You will need to add fat to balance.

Omega 3's

Fish oil is the only supplement that I take. I have always believed that if you eat good food you should not need to supplement. I know that I do not eat enough fish and seafood throughout the week, so I am trying to do better! Grilled prawns are a new favorite!
5-6 med sized prawns (3 blocks protein)
2 cups mixed green salad (2 blocks carbs/ 3 blocks fat)
1 1/2 cups sauteed zucchini with onions (1 block carbs)
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White Bean Soup

This is a really easy, hearty soup that is good with either chicken or sausage. To make: in a large pot heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat. Add meat of your choice and saute for about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 3/4 cup chopped celery, 3/4 cup chopped carrot, and 2 cloves garlic. Saute for about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup water, 2 can cannellini beans, 2 bay leaves and 1 can (15 oz) chicken broth. Bring soup to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. This is about 1 block per cup if you measure out your protein. Post thoughts to comments.

Santa Maria Tri-tip Salad

The Santa Maria rub on the tri-tip gives this salad a lot of extra flavor!
3-4 cups ruby red lettuce (1 block carbs)
1/4 cup kidney beans ( 1 block carbs)
1 oz feta cheese (2 blocks fat)
3 oz tri-tip (3 blocks protein)
olive oil dressing (2 blocks fat)
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How's Your Sleep????

If you are reading this blog then you are most likely in the small percentage of Americans that watches what they eat, and exercises on a regular basis. We spend a lot of time learning about nutrition and pushing our bodies to new limits. However, there is one piece that is still missing for many people...and that is adequate amounts of sleep! The Zone is centered around controlling and maintaining insulin levels in the body. However, lack of sleep can impair the bodies sensitivity to insulin which can lead to:

1. Abdominal Adiposity= belly fat

2. High circulating blood glucose

3. High blood fats- (triglycerides)

4. High blood pressure (hypertension)

Are you getting enough???? Post thoughts to comments.

Grilled Chicken with Sweet Potato

I used a teriyaki marinade for this chicken, so if you are going "gluten free" you will need to change to a different marinade or rub.
3 oz grilled chicken (3 blocks protein)
2 cups broccoli /cauliflower (1 block carbs)
1/2 sweet potato with olive oil and salt/pepper (2 blocks carbs/ 1 block fat)
Handful of cashews (2 blocks fat)
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Skirt Steak and Veggies

I love grilling skirt steak because it cooks so quickly and is easy to either marinade or season with a rub.
3 oz skirt steak (3 blocks protein)
2 cups spinach salad with apples, pecans and raspberry vinaigrette ( 2 blocks carbs2 block fat)
2 cups broccoli slaw with snow peas (1 block carbs)
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