Simply Baked Salmon

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Simply Baked Salmon

As the weather gets warmer, I love buying fresh fish and making it myself. Fish is a light alternative to other animal proteins and offers a ton of nutrients for relatively few calories. Specifically, salmon offers up a hearty serving of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. This simple salmon dish is easy to make and great for beginners. Also, it’s super healthy and serves up a delicious plate of nutrients that you can feel good about eating!

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Ingredients (serves 1):

6 oz salmon fillet (*Note: Try to find wild salmon if you can!)

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

juice from 1/2 lemon

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1/8 tsp garlic powder

dash salt

dash cayenne pepper

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray casserole dish with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray and place salmon fillet in dish.

2. Drizzle olive oil over salmon. Add lemon juice and spices. If needed, take a knife to gently rub spices and marinade over salmon evenly.

3. Bake salmon in oven for 20-25 minutes, until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish should flake easily with a fork. Enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 398 calories, Total Fat 26 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 107 mg, Carbohydrates 3 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 38 g, Sodium 259 mg, Calcium 28 mg

I ate my baked salmon with quinoa and mixed veggies!

I ate my baked salmon with quinoa and mixed veggies!

 

A Different Way To Relax – Massaged Kale Salad

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Massaged Kale Salad 

Kale has a ton of nutrients, including vitamins E, K, A and C. However, when eaten raw, it can be bitter and the nutrients are less available for your body due its tough cell walls. When eating raw kale, it is always best to “massage” the kale with an acidic marinade, which begins the breakdown process and also counteracts its bitter flavor. For this kale salad, I massaged the kale with fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and added avocado, tomato, cucumber and some salt and pepper. Simple, presentable and delicious!

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Ingredients (serves 2):

4 C raw kale, chopped (*Note: remove large stem from middle)

1/2 avocado

1 C cucumbers, sliced

1/2 C cherry tomatoes, halved

juice from 1 fresh lemon

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

dash salt (to taste)

dash ground black pepper (to taste)

kale - ready to be "massaged"!

kale – ready to be “massaged”!

Directions:

1. Wash kale and pat dry. Add kale to large bowl.

2. Squeeze lemon juice directly over kale (watch out for seeds!) and add olive oil. Gently massage kale with dressing for 2-3 minutes, until kale begins to wilt and turns dark green. Kale should be soft when finished.

3. Slice avocado into small cubes. Add avocado, tomatoes and cucumber slices to salad. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 228 calories, Total Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 23 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 142 mg, Calcium 200 mg

Guilt-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes, you just want a cookie. My favorite kind is peanut butter, but I prefer to bake my own, since I know this treat can actually be surprisingly guilt-free if made the right way. Using natural peanut butter and only a handful of ingredients, these cookies take no time to bake and are actually made with ingredients you can feel good about eating (minus the sugar – but they’re still cookies)! Who says you can’t have your cookie and eat it, too?!

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Ingredients (yield 20 cookies)

1 C natural peanut butter (*best when refrigerated – make sure it is stirred so all of the oil is not sitting at the top)

1 C sugarIMG_0902

1 lage egg, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 C semisweet chocolate morsels

Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

Now give it a stir!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Add peanut butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract to a medium-sized bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are combined. The batter should be mouse-like.

3. Fold the semisweet chocolate morsels into the batter.

4. Spray baking sheet (or tin foil) with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray.

5. Take small spoonfuls of batter and roll each spoonful into a ball before placing on baking sheet. Balls should be approximately 1 inch in diameter. Leave approximately 1-2 inches between balls on baking sheet.

6. Flatten each ball into a small circle with a fork – I like to make a decorative pattern with mine by either leaving the lines from the fork tongs or criss-crossing them back and forth (as shown).

7. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are slightly browned. Let cool completely before removing from baking sheet, as these cookies fall apart easily if handled too much while warm. Enjoy!

Almost done!

Almost done!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 

*1 serving is 1 cookie

Calories 140 calories, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Carbohydrates 14 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 46 mg, Calcium 2 mg

Ready to bake in the oven - just a few minutes until peanut butter-y goodness!

Ready to bake in the oven – just a few minutes until peanut butter-y goodness!

 

 

Baked Halibut with Pineapple Salsa

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Baked Halibut with Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple salsa will spice up any plain fish dish – and add a hearty serving of fruits and veggies! This fresh, homemade salsa offers lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, along with the heat of a jalapeno pepper and the sweetness of pineapple. Although I used halibut in this recipe, any white fish will do. I’ve made this before using sea bass and prefer the less oily texture of the halibut with the salsa. My main suggestion? Try to opt for a wild-caught fish!

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Ingredients (serves 2):

12 oz wild-caught Halibut (or any other white fish of your choice), divided into two, 6-oz portions

1 tsp olive oil

4 roma tomatoes

1 C cubed pineapple

1/2 jalapeno pepper (seeds removed if you don’t want the salsa very spicy)

1/2 small red onion

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, stems removed (about 5 sprigs)

dash salt

dash ground black pepper

1/8 tsp garlic powder

nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

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Fresh pineapple salsa!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Spray casserole dish with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray. Place halibut in casserole dish and drizzle olive oil over fish, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over each fish fillet. Set aside.

3. Dice tomatoes, onion, jalapeno and pineapple. Combine in bowl.

4. Rinse cilantro leaves and pat dry. Finely chop cilantro and add to salsa. Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Combine well and set aside.

5. Bake fish in oven until flakey and opaque, approximately 25 minutes. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Remove fish from oven and top each fillet with salsa. Make sure to save some salsa on the side to scoop up with veggies and/or tortilla chips! Enjoy!

 

 

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

*1 serving is 1 6 oz fillet with half of the salsa

Calories 340 calories, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Carbohydrates 20 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 48 g, Calcium 138 mg, Sodium 206 mg

Baked halibut - ready to top with the pineapple salsa!

Baked halibut – ready to top with the pineapple salsa!

 

 

Shredded Balsamic Sprouts

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Shredded Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Okay, I promise after this I will post something about a food that is not in the cruciferous veggie family – but why not try one more recipe involving a member of this nutritious family?! These shredded sprouts take less than 15 minutes to prepare and are a sweet and tangy way to enjoy this vegetable. Also, onions, with their sulfur-containing compounds, boast some impressive health benefits as well and, paired with the sprouts and the balsamic, make for a tasty side dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold!

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Ingredients (serves 4)

3 C shredded Brussels sprouts (you can look for bags of shredded sprouts at your grocery store – I like Trader Joe’s! Or, if you prefer, you can cut your own sprouts!)

1/2 large yellow onion

1.5 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 C balsamic vinegar

1/8 C water

1/8 tsp garlic powder

dash salt

dash ground black pepper

ready to add the balsamic vinegar, water and spices!

ready to add the balsamic vinegar, water and spices!

Directions:

1. Warm olive oil over medium heat in large saucepan.

2. Chop onion. Add onion to olive oil. Cook approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add shredded Brussels sprouts to onion and olive oil. Cook approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add water, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper to Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes, until liquid has mostly been absorbed.

5. Remove from saucepan – if there is a large amount of excess liquid then drain. Enjoy hot, or cold the next day!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 91 calories, Total Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 10 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 2 g, Sodium 60 mg, Calcium 31 mg

 

Add Some Spring To Your Step!

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New Season, New Workout!

It’s time to get rid of the winter blues and shake up your workout routine! I know I’ve been sick of running on a stationary piece of a equipment, whether it’s the treadmill or the elliptical. With spring comes (hopefully) some warmer weather and milder winds, and I’m ready to take my workouts outside!

The beautiful view while hiking in Cave Creek

The beautiful view while hiking in Cave Creek

Why Change Things Up?

If you continue to do the same workouts, not only do YOU get bored – so does your body. And with boredom comes little change and a whole lot of untapped potential. Even though I switch up which machines I use regularly, I tend to get bored of the same old gym routine and I feel my body becoming acclimated to what once seemed to be a tough limit. Muscle confusion allows for better results, since your muscles are being continuously pushed to their limits and forced to learn new movements. Also, switching up your gym routine allows your nervous system (your brain, spinal cord and the neurons and other nervous cells throughout your body) to form new connections, which has major implications in the prevention of both physical and mental diseases. So, if you’re getting bored, chances are, so are your legs – time to hit the road and take things outside!

So Now, What Do I Do?

One way I was able to start switching up my workout routine was by hiking this past week, while I was in Arizona with my family. Not only were the views incredible, the burn was, too! My family and I hiked through Cave Creek and had a lot of fun while doing so. Overall, the trail was only about 3 miles, however, we reached some impressive elevations and certainly felt the incline in our steps. Even though some family members were apprehensive about the hike, everyone ended up having a really great time and now we are searching for places where we can hike while back home in the Connecticut and New York areas. I recommend finding a serene route near you and soaking up the tranquility nature can offer you – especially while being active!

My sister and me, stopping for a quick photo op!

My sister and me, stopping for a quick photo op!

Other ways in which I’m looking forward to switching up my workout? I want to get back on the court and pick up my old tennis racquet. I used to play tennis when I was younger and it was an activity I really enjoyed. Even though it’s certainly a workout, I always looked at it as something I wanted to do for fun, as opposed to something I had to do to stay in shape. This outlook is, in my opinion, what separates those who lead active lives from those who lead sedentary lives with scheduled spurts of activity built in to them. Finding something you love, whether it’s hiking, running, playing tennis, soccer, flag football, or any other activity or sport, is truly the key to sticking with your workout regimen, preventing boredom and progressing. Also, with the nice weather coming, I definitely don’t want to be spending time indoors when I don’t have to! I always feel a sense of clarity and – most importantly – FUN – when I take my workout outside and take in what nature has to offer.

Pilates in the Park with my friends, Alli and Casey (last summer)

Pilates in the Park with my friends, Alli and Casey (last summer)

And Remember To Always Challenge Yourself!

Mix up your fun activities with activities that really train you. Two years ago, I pushed myself to run my first long-distance race – a half marathon. My sister, who previously ran the NYC Marathon, convinced me to sign up with her and I was so excited to have her by my side during my first important race. This required some training and, for the first time, I was able to feel the difference that the beautiful outdoors made in terms of enjoyment while running. I alternated training runs between the monuments and the National Mall in DC, while I was finishing my last semester of college, and the beach and residential roads within my hometown in Connecticut once I had graduated. Ultimately, the race took place in a suburban Connecticut town and the scenic route through the beach was motivation enough to keep going and enjoy myself. Find YOUR race, YOUR challenge and YOUR motivation – and this spring, meet your fitness goals (and have fun while doing it!)

Goin' strong during the half!

Goin’ strong during the half!

 

 

 

Some Sweet Sprouts

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Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Pomegranate Arils

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In case you couldn’t tell, I’m on a cruciferous veggie kick. I try to eat seasonally when possible and cruciferous vegetables can grow throughout the cool, winter months. Also, cruciferous veggies offer a ton of health benefits and some studies suggest that increased intake of these veggies may be associated with a reduced risk of developing certain cancers.This sweet side dish is like wellness in a bowl –  walnuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, and pomegranate arils are rich in antioxidants. Make sure you make extra – you’ll want the leftovers the next day!

Ingredients (serves 2)

2 C raw Brussels sprouts (I like to use Brussels sprouts that are on the smaller side)

1/4 C chopped walnuts, unsalted

1/2 C pomegranate arils

1 Tbsp olive oil

Dash salt

Dash ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

ready to go in the oven!

ready to go in the oven!

2. Wash Brussels sprouts and dry thoroughly with paper towel. Cut the Brussels sprouts in halves or quarters, depending on the size of the Brussels sprouts.

3. Place Brussels sprouts on baking pan or in casserole dish. Drizzle olive oil over Brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper.

4. Bake Brussels sprouts in oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 10 minutes, remove Brussels sprouts from oven and add walnuts. Stir Brussels sprouts and walnuts together and place back in oven. Bake another 10 minutes-15 minutes, until Brussels sprouts are slightly crispy on the outside. Stir occasionally.

5. Remove Brussels sprouts from oven and add pomegranate arils. Mix all ingredients together and place back in oven. Bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 239 calories, Total Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 18 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 101 mg, Calcium 52 mg

yum!

yum!

Salmon and Cabbage Salad With Grated Ginger

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Salmon and Cabbage Salad with Grated Ginger

This salmon salad will shake up your salad routine and get you excited for a plate full of veggies – and hearty salmon! Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and can grow in cool temperatures, so this salad is perfect for the fall and winter months, when vegetables can seem scarce. Plus, consuming at least two 6 oz portions of salmon per week supplies your weekly recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in reducing inflammation. Fresh ginger and a light drizzle of dressing spice up this salad and give it a distinct flavor that is anything but boring!

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Ingredients (serves 1):

6 oz salmon fillet

1/4 small head cabbage (doesn’t matter which color- whichever you prefer!)

1 large carrot

2 Tbsp ginger or miso dressing (I recommend 365 Ginger Soy Vinaigrette)

Non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp fresh ginger, grated (I use a cheese grater)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Spray casserole dish with cooking spray. Place salmon fillet in casserole dish.

3. Season salmon with spices (garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper and grated ginger).

4. Place salmon in oven. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit).

5. While salmon is in oven, chop cabbage. Place cabbage in strainer and rise. Dry thoroughly. Transfer cabbage to plate.

6. Skin, wash and dry carrot. Shred carrot over cabbage using a cheese grater.

7. Remove salmon from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes.

8. Place salmon on top of salad. Drizzle dressing over salad. Serve.

The Goods: What‘s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving

Calories 371 calories, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 114 mg, Carbohydrates 21 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 47 g, Calcium 139 mg, Sodium 511 mg

*note: If you are concerned about your sodium intake, try to look for a low-sodium salad dressing. Also, you can make your own dressing using low-sodium soy sauce and mustard!

Cancel Your Take-Out Order!

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Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry with Brown Rice

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Why order in greasy food when you can cook your own stir-fry with only ingredients you know are wholesome? This stir-fry can be made with any lean protein  – I’ve replaced the tofu with shrimp before, as well as chicken, and it’s always been amazing and authentic tasting. Also, depending on which veggies I find at the farmer’s market or grocery stores, I’ve switched up the components of this dish to reflect seasonality and local offerings when possible. This healthy stir-fry will fill you up with fiber and protein and give you a hearty dose of antioxidants. Wok not included!

Ingredients (serves 2):

8 oz extra firm tofu

1/2 C sugar snap peas

1 C broccoli florets

2 baby bok choy

1/2 onion, diced

2 large carrots, sliced

1 C mushrooms, sliced

1 C brown rice

1/4 C corn (off the cob – I like to buy frozen corn!)

1 Tbsp olive oil or canola oil

1/4 C low-sodium soy sauce (or you can try a different stir-fry sauce – just try to avoid products with ingredients such as caramel color and high fructose corn syrup!)

This time I used baby corn!

This time I used baby corn!

Directions:

1. Steam carrots in microwave until soft (approximately 5 minutes).

2. Steam broccoli florets in microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

3. Steam corn in microwave for 45 seconds.

4. Cook brown rice according to directions on package (I find it easiest to buy fully cooked frozen brown rice and steam it in the microwave).

5. Drain excess water from tofu and gently squeeze dry with a paper towel. Cut into small cubes.

6. Pour oil and half the soy sauce (about 2 Tbsp) into skillet and warm over medium heat.

7. Place onion and mushrooms in skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Slice bok choy into large pieces and add to skillet.

9. Wash sugar snap peas and pat dry. Add steamed carrots, corn and broccoli to skillet. Add tofu and sugar snap peas. Add remaining soy sauce and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

10. Place brown rice on plate and pour mixture over rice. Serve hot and enjoy!

the Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 377 calories, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 46 g, Fiber 9 g, Protein 19 g, Calcium 194 mg, Sodium 739 mg

Cauliflower Power

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cauliflower200-73fa7e31835d86c2f092faa660cc370112350a0f-s6-c30Why Eat Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family and  therefore joins the likes of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy and other veggie powerhouses. Even though these veggies are personal favorites of mine, many people seem to dislike this veggie family, even though they have powerful antioxidant properties. So, I have made it my mission to create tasty recipes that incorporate these vegetable superheroes in an effort to spread the love – and the deliciousness. Cauliflower can grow in cool temperatures and therefore can be a staple throughout the fall and winter months at farmer’s markets and seasonal markets. So, next time you’re at your local market, give cauliflower a chance!

What Do I Do With Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is an easy vegetable to begin your cruciferous vegetable tasting, since it can actually be prepared to taste just like an all-time favorite: potatoes! Lower in calories and carbohydrates, but similar in consistency, this alternative can be swapped into many potato recipes! The two recipes below are kid-friendly ways to introduce your family (or anyone) to cauliflower – I promise you won’t even have leftovers!

Recipe #1: Cauliflower Breadsticks

yum!

yum!

I adapted this recipe that was given to me by a friend and slimmed down traditional cheese sticks. All of the flavor for less than 50 calories per “bread”stick? That is true cauliflower power!

Ingredients (serves 12):

1 large head cauliflower (approximately 6” diameter)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 oz low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

½ tsp onion powder

Dash salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Non-fat vegetable oil cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Wash and dry cauliflower and chop into florets. Steam (either in microwave or over boiling water) until soft (approximately 10-15 minutes).
  3. Place cauliflower in food processor and blend until pureed. The cauliflower should have the consistency of mashed potatoes.
  4. In a large bowl, mix eggs, 2 oz cheese (2/3 of the cheese), spices (garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper) and pureed cauliflower.
  5. Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray. Transfer cauliflower mix into casserole dish and spread into a thin, even layer with spatula.
  6. Bake in oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown. Remove from oven, add remaining cheese on top and bake until cheese is melted (another 5 minutes).
  7. Cut into squares (3×4) to yield 12 cauliflower breadstick squares. Enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

*1 serving is 1 square

Calories 43, Total Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Carbohydrates 3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, Calcium 72 mg, Sodium 86 mg

Recipe #2: Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”

just like mashed potatoes!

just like mashed potatoes!

This recipe is a true favorite of mine – so easy to prepare and tastes just like your favorite comfort food – only take even more comfort in the fact that it contains less saturated fat, less carbohydrates and fewer calories than the traditional potato version with cream.

Ingredients (serves 4):

1 large head cauliflower (approximately 6” in diameter)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbsp butter or margarine

¼ tsp ground black pepper

¼ tsp salt

Directions:

  1. Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil.
  2. Wash and dry cauliflower. Cut cauliflower into florets and transfer into pot of boiling water. Boil until soft (approximately 5-7 minutes).
  3. Strain water from cauliflower and transfer cauliflower into food processor. Blend until pureed (it should be the consistency of mashed potatoes).
  4. Transfer cauliflower into serving bowl. Add butter and spices and stir until well combined. Enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 63, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 8 mg, Carbohydrates 8 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 3 g, Calcium 35 mg, Sodium 210 mg

*raw cauliflower photo courtesy of: http://media.npr.org/kitchen/2008/04/cauliflower/cauliflower200-73fa7e31835d86c2f092faa660cc370112350a0f-s6-c30.jpg