Soup Voodoo: Garlic Soup

I swear by this recipe especially over the winter. Forget flu shots and cough/cold medications. This recipe is it! Even better that it also freezes well. 

http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/garlic-soup-made-with-52-cloves-of-garlic-can-defeat-colds-flu-and-even-norovirus/

Click the link and try the recipe for yourself. My modifications:

--use an entire can of Coconut Milk

--squeeze a whole lemon when it's all done

**Serve over rice or freeze in an ice tray for flavor cubes

Enjoy. Your immune system will thank you. 

VEGGIE PIZZA!! Finally a new post from the new place....

....in Michigan. 

New office. New location. New clients. New co-workers. New recipe. Work was kind of a drag today. Couple that with being tired from little sleep the night before. My new book is just that good ("Lost Horizon" by James Hilton--basically the first piece to ever mention the city of Shangri-la). 

No better way than to feel comforted than with comfort food. And given this weekend's fast food binge (after burning over 3500 calories running 20 miles and biking an additional 10), I headed to Micky D's. Anyway, I wanted pizza. But healthier. 

1. Make pesto sauce, but thicker than normal. I used kale, cilantro and garlic. I think basil was having a local strike--none  on the store. 

2. Get a tube of pizza crust and unroll it according to the packaging. And add the pesto. 

3. Add whatever you want. It's your Za!! I used half a can of black beans, a full can of sliced beets, half a can of seasoned tomatoes and then sautéed onion, green beans and green bell pepper. And too with cheese (probably the best part!)

4. Bake.

5. Let it cool a bit, then cut and enjoy! 

Something a tad healthier and customized to order. 

Now, on the lighter side, a light side (or something comfortable for your chips)

An Easy Mango Salad

1 large mango--DICED

1/2 medium onion--DICED

1/2 large red pepper--DICED

1 jalapeño pepper--DICED

1/2 lime--JUICED

1/3 cup cilantro--CHOPPED

Add all ingredients to a bowl! Let sit in the fridge for about an hour or so before serving so the ingredients can become acquainted. 

**If you want it as more of a salsa.....add all ingredients to a blender.

Simple. 15 minutes. Beer. Pinot Grigio. 

Been a while, but happy Memorial Day weekend

So here's a quick dessert recipe. 

1 package of chocolate chip cookie mix

1 package of brownie mix

1 package of Oreo cookies

This is for a 13x9 dish

• Set oven to 350 degrees

• Prepare the chocolate chip cookie mix and brownie mix according to package instructions and in separate bowls

• Lightly oil the dish

• Spread the cookie dough as evenly as possible

• Add the Oreo cookies on top of the cookie dough. You may have to break the for more even coverage. But stuck to full cookies where you can!

• Now, pour the brownie batter on top, covering all Oreo cookies

• Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until center of top layer of brownie mix is cooked and let cool. 

And that's it! They are actually pretty good and an awesome treat. 

30-Day Core Challenge....Join Me!!

This morning I came across this article on core training and strengthening. It is an interesting read, so I highly recommend clicking the link and reading (or skimming) the article. The article also includes a video on how to properly perform the exercises. If you do anything, after clicking the aforementioned link, I highly recommend watching the 1:20 video so you don't injure yourself.

I have to admit that I was intrigued with participating in the 30-Day Core Challenge....and who doesn't like a good challenge--especially when it has to do with your health and well-being?

So my challenge to you: let's do this 30-Day Core Challenge together! Whether you're training for a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K or no event at all, you need your core all day, every day so you may as well keep it strong. I'm willing to do this and hopefully you will, too.

Muesli For Dinner? It's Possible

So my friends at Olallie Milwaukee offered a handful of us to review gourmet Muesli from Seven Sundays. Check out their website. It's a very good product and really high quality ingredients.

I figured that many folks feel Muesli is more of a breakfast cereal. However, I wanted to try something different and create a side dish with Muesli.


Muesli Stuffing

This is created the same way you'd make homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving; it's just minus the cornbread, substituting Muesli. As this is more along the lines of a real home made dish, a lot of the ingredients were NOT measured, but added according to taste.

Your Base Ingredients

Ingredients:

6 Cups of Water

3 Stalks of Celery

1/2 Red Bell Pepper

1/2 Yellow Onion

Fresh Rosemary

Fresh Oregano

Fresh Sage

Fresh Ground Pepper

Sea Salt (to taste)

Cumin (to taste)

12 oz. Package of Seven Sundays Muesli

Yield: 6-8 Servings

1. Boil the Water
2. Dice the Celery, Red Bell Pepper, Onion, Rosemary, Oregano and Sage and add to the boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes
3. Add the spices (salt, cumin and pepper) and stir
4. Add the package of Seven Sundays Muesli (I had the Ginger Pear Macadamia flavor)
5. Stir and simmer until most of the water is absorbed then remove from heat

Use the same seasonings as you would for stuffing. I never knew the Muesli would turn out so tasty. Using Muesli made for a very nutty, sweet and hearty stuffing mix of which I may re-make for Thanksgiving this year.

I highly recommend trying something new. As much as I wanted to dump my Seven Sundays Muesli over a bowl of Vanilla Greek Yogurt, add Bananas, Strawberries and a touch of honey, I am glad I had a little bit of Thanksgiving in April!

JB2

Steps 1 & 2: Boil the water and add the veggies & herbs

A Healthy Alternative to Traditional Stuffing

Herb Crusted Salmon with Sweet Potato and Herbed Brussels Sprouts

Training has begun but not without an award for applying future efforts.

To celebrate the start if Ironman 2014 Training I've decided to ditch the gym during Week 1 Day 3 and celebrate by treating myself to a nice meal. Work's been crazy and I haven't been getting enough sleep. Perfect time for a reward!

You have to read through this to get the ingredients. I'm the non-traditional chef that way!

Herb crusted salmon with sautéed sweet potato and herbed Brussels sprouts!

Easy to make:

1. Sautée the sweet potato after cubing using about 1 tablespoon of grape seed oil. Season with sea salt n peppa!

2. Use about half tablespoon of butter in a pan melted. Throw in the Brussels sprouts and maybe onion. I added fresh sage and rosemary. When they start browning add sea salt and fresh ground pepper. When they are done in about 5-7 mins of cooking (and here's the best part!!) pour about 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. So good! I promise.

 

3. for the salmon: create a mixture of bread crumbs, rosemary, oregano salt and pepper in a flat dish. Skin the fish. Place the fish in the mixture and press semi-firmly (without the skin the fish may separate). Flip and repeat. 

Then in a medium sized pan, add a tablespoon of coconut oil or grape seed oil and place on a medium high flame. When warm enough. Cook the salmon on one side for about 3 mins. Carefully flip. Then cook the other side for 4 mins or so. You should end with a nice, crispy, perfectly-browned herb-crusted salmon. 

Bon App!!