The Keto Craze!

THE KETO CRAZE

Here is the deal… I am not a fan of ANY fad diet… and I see Keto as just that.

Now Im not talking about using Keto for medical reasons. There is evidence that proves it helps people that suffer from many illnesses and conditions.

I am strictly talking about using Keto for AESTHETICS.

The real deal is that most of the time an individual never even really enters true Ketosis.

Ya see… Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something that your does to keep working. When your body doesnt have enough carbs from food for your cells to burn for energy it burns fat instead. As part of this process it burns ketones.

If your healthy and follow a well balance nutrition plan, your body controls how much fat it burns and you dont normally make or use ketones.

But when you cut way back on your calories and carbs your body will eventually switch to Ketosis for energy.

It takes 5-7 days to even hit ketosis… then when you get there… you will likely feel like death aka the Keto flu. Then once you have an off plan meal (non keto meal), you are OUT of ketosis.

My issue is that IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

Are you REALLY going to eat a super high fat , almost no carb diet forever?

Anything that isnt sustainable is a FAD. I am not interested in prescribing QUICK FIXES to our clients.

We want to teach clients to eat for their health and performance… sure aesthetics plays its part… but I would never prescribe a nutrition plan that was detrimental to someones health or not sustainable.

Now… please keep in mind that I am generalizing… I am speaking to the mass demographic.

Bottomline, the average Joe that needs to shed a few lbs of body fat is not going to see sustainable results with ANY FAD DIET.

Instead… shoot for a well balanced plan that truly FUELS your body!

xo Coach Jen

Flourless Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

FLOURLESS DAIRY FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ok if cookies could talk… these would be the winner! I swear they call my name!

But in all seriousness… these are BOMB.

Enjoy! xo Jen

 

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips
2 tbsp coconut oil
2-3 tbsp of almond milk (start with 1…)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 F. Blend the first 4 ingredients together in a food processor or blender, until it looks like flour. Mix with remaining ingredients to form a dough. If too dry, slowly add the second or third tbsp almond milk. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll or form into balls, and place on a greased cookie sheet. Press down a little to flatten. Cook 6 minutes, then take out when still a bit undercooked. Let sit 10 minutes before handling 🙂

Fall Pumpkin Chili

FALL PUMPKIN CHILI

Everyone is in a pumpkin trance these days lol!!

This pumpkin chili is DELICIOUS!!!

Enjoy! xo Coach Jen

INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ pounds grass-fed ground beef
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
½ 6-oz. can tomato paste
1 14-oz. can pumpkin puree
½ – 1 cup chicken broth or water
2 ½ tsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil and saute the onions and peppers, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes or until onions start to soften.
Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds
Add the ground beef. Use a spatula or large spoon to break it up as it cooks. Cook until meat is nearly cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
Transfer meat mixture to the slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients and stir.
Set heat to LOW and cook for 6-7 hours.

Autumn Beef Stew

AUTUMN BEEF STEW

Who doesnt love a hearty stew on a cold Fall day?!

This is one of my all time favs! Enjoy! Xo Coach Jen

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 pounds filet mignon, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
2 medium onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 cups reuduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups less-sodium beef broth
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 pound butternut squash; peeled, seeded and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
4 carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 stalks celery, sliced into 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
directions
In a large plastic bag, combine flour, salt and pepper. Add beef; shake to coat evenly. In a Dutch oven or large heavy pot, Add half the beef to pot, shaking off any excess flour. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove beef with a slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining beef.
If pot is dry, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add onions; cook and stir for about 4 minutes or until starting to brown. Stir in garlic; cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste. Return beef, bacon and any remaining flour to pot. Stir to combine. Add chicken and beef broth, wine, bay leaves, thyme and paprika. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
Add potatoes, squash, carrots and celery. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove lid and simmer about 15 minutes more or until vegetables are tender and liquid is desired consistency. Remove bay leaves. Stir in parsley.

 

5 Grab & Go Snacks

You can ALWAYS find a way to eat healthy! xo Coach Jen

5 Healthy Grab & Go snacks you can get almost anywhere!

1) Almonds or any nut

2) Apple with nut butter

3) All-Natural Multigrain Waffle

4) Sliced cucumbers and one or two wedges of Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original Cheese

5) Turkey and Grapes
Two slices of low-sodium deli turkey and a handful of grapes

Youre only as strong as your grip!

YOU’RE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR GRIP!

🔥 How many times has your grip given out before other muscles when working out? Do your forearms and hands give out during trap exercises, deadlifts or even bicep curls?

🔥 You’re only as strong as your grip.

🔥 Over half of the muscles in your body are designed to help you in hanging and lifting stuff off of the ground.

🔥 Most of the time it’s your grip that exhausts first, limiting the amount of work you can put on your pulling muscles.

🔥 Your grip also affects your pushing muscles.

🔥 Your body keeps your overall muscles relatively balanced. Your pushing muscles can only become as relatively powerful as your pulling muscles. So, a stronger grip can lead to stronger pushing muscles too!!

🔥 A powerful grip can even affect your core! One of the most effective ab exercises is the toes to bar or a gorilla crunch. Without a strong grip, it becomes nearly impossible to do right!

🔥 So next time you hit the gym, drop the straps and silly gloves and add in some new grips!

xo Coach Jen

Grilled Portabella Pizza

We’ve been loving grilled pizzas at our house lately!

Its a great way to still rock your grill this Fall!

Enjoy xo Coach Jen

 


GRILLED BABY PORTABELLA PESTO FLATBREAD PIZZA

INGREDIENTS:
10 Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced thin
1 Vidalia onion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon olive oil
big pinch salt and pepper
2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 Naan breads
2 tablespoons pesto
6 oz mozzarella, shredded
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook mushrooms and onions in 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and continue to cook for up to 7 minutes until mushrooms and onions start to soften. Add chopped thyme to mushrooms and onions and stir, cook for a minute or two longer. Set aside.
Heat your grill to medium heat. Place naan bread on grill and heat both sides for 1-2 minutes each. Take of grill and place on large plate or cutting board to prep pizzas.
To prep pizzas, carefully spread pesto evenly over each flatbread. Spread cheeses evenly over both flatbreads, then top with mushrooms. Place back on grill and cook with grill cover shut for a few minutes until cheese is melted. Slice into small finger-food sized portions and serve.

Cider-Braised Chicken, Brussel Sprouts and Apples

CIDER- BRAISED CHICKEN, BRUSSEL SPROUTS and APPLES

This fantastic one-pan dinner is ideal for a Sunday dinner after a day of apple picking!

Enjoy xo Coach Jen

4 slices bacon, chopped (I used turkey bacon)
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 pounds total)
2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges
1 12 – ounce bottle hard cider
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved if large (2 cups)

In a very large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. Add apples to the skillet and cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. Drain and discard drippings from skillet.

Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes more or until chicken is done (at least 175 degrees F).

To serve, divide chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, and apples among shallow bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top. Sprinkle each serving with bacon.

Take it outside … and SPRINT!

Sprinting is one of the BEST and most challenging exercises.

🔥Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise , meaning that it requires short bursts of energy that produce lactic acid.

🔥Because sprinting is an anaerobic exercise, it works to build muscle in the same way that weight training does.

🔥Sprinters have the best glutes and incredible physiques, for a reason!

🔥Sprinting is a metabolic beast, it BURNS a ton of calories in a short amount of time.

🔥A true SPRINT involves your upper and lower body.

🔥Practice “feeding the ducks” behind you, bringing your thumb to your chin and then back, head forward and neck neutral and shoulders relaxed.

🔥I don’t believe that you are truly sprint on a treadmill, you can run fast but it’s not a true sprint.

🔥To maximize your sprint, TAKE IT OUTSIDE!!

Happy Sprinting! xo Coach Jen

Siracha Chicken Skewers

I have an obsession… SIRACHA!!!!!!!

These chicken skewers are so BOMB!

Enjoy! xo Coach Jen

SIRACHA CHICKEN SKEWERS

  • 1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup hot chili paste
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup Sriracha
  • 2 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
  • 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch–2-inch pieces
  • 8 bamboo skewers soaked in water at least 1 hour

Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Whisk vinegar, chili paste, fish sauce, Sriracha, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Remove chicken and thread 4 or 5 pieces onto each skewer.

Transfer leftover marinade to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced by half (about 1 cup), 7–10 minutes.

Grill chicken, turning and basting often with reduced marinade, until cooked through, 8–10 minutes.