Football fans and health heroes! Here’s a last-minute recycled video on preparing my famous No Fat Pants Nachos for today’s big game.
Plus, be sure to check out Forks Over Knives Superbowl Recipes for Hearty Nachos, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Tapenade, BBQ Tofu “Wings,”Lentil Chili, and Whole Grain Corn Muffins. Not to mention the Lunchbox Bunch’s Avocado Quesadillas and Meatless Buffalo Bites–perfect for the eat-fest that is the Superbowl.
So, yes, I (too) ate a big fat peanut butter sandwich last night on some thick, thick bread. It was DIVINE, but now that that’s over, let’s get ‘em!
To start out Day 1, here’s a quick video of the Green-Apple Juice in a juicer (ignore my 6-year-old daughter who thinks she’s Inspector Gadget). I do prefer this concoction juiced vs. blended, but blending is perfectly wonderful too. If you’re blending and you don’t have a high-power blender like a Vitamix or a Blendtec, the first thing you need to do is put one of those on your 2012 holiday wish list. Or, perhaps you need to think about rewarding yourself at the end of this Detox with one of those. The next thing you need to do is if you don’t think your blender can handle the raw apple and leafies even with the 4-8 ounces of water and ice, consider using a food processor for the veggies and apples, and then blending that concoction with the water and ice. It can’t hurt.
Juice vs. Blend? Check this quick info by my pal Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Life. She talks chlorophyll and alkalinity–it’s worth a read. And as for types of juicers, I was given the Jack Lalanne Classic Juicer as a brand new hand-me-down, and I really like it. It runs about $100 if you buy it from their website. Just an FYI. Please feel free to share juicing/juicer/blender/blending tips if you have them. As another FYI, I use my Vitamix daily (smoothies, soups, hummus, dips, etc.–I even got rid of my food processor!), and my juicer once or twice a week. Not saying that’s what everyone should do, but just facts on one nutrition professional’s appliance usage.
Still feeling good? Hungry? This day is by far the hardest, but you can TOTALLY do this. Don’t forget, however, that you can increase your serving sizes of Detox food if you’re feeling like you’re really low on calories. Add fresh fruit, raw nuts and seeds, or an avocado for quick, extra energy.
Good luck today! Please don’t forget to laugh, taste and savor every morsel and sip, and let us know how you’re doing — use the Comments section to share and question! XOXO
I could be Charles. I’ve already had and thoroughly enjoyed several Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes this year (decaf, soy, no whip, SO good). Especially as a past Starbucks barista who got free drinks “for taste-testing” ’round the clock, it’s hard to justify spending too much cashola on a coffee drink–even the Pumpkin Spice Latte. So, I’ve created my own version–much cheaper, and highly more convenient if you have a craving while at home. And no espresso machine needed!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Makes 1 12-ounce drink
6 ounces brewed double-strength coffee (leaded or unleaded, your choice)* 6 ounces vanilla non-dairy milk (I used soymilk) 1 Tbsp pumpkin butter or apple butter (or 1 Tbsp pumpkin purée plus 2 tsp sugar) 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or a dash of cinnamon plus a dash of nutmeg)
Brew coffee. While coffee is brewing, heat milk, pumpkin butter or apple butter (or pumpkin purée plus sugar), and spice(s) in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir vigorously with a whisk until ingredients are evenly mixed and it starts to bubble. Pour coffee and milk mixture into a large mug. Pull out your laptop, turn on some jazz, sip the latte, and enjoy the moment. A true coffee shop experience!
Nutrition info per latte: 107 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 5 grams protein, 13 grams sugar, 225 mg calcium.
*1 cup in most coffee makers makes 4 ounces of coffee. Therefore, for 1 latte, brew 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) using 3 scoops of ground coffee
Who’s ready for a homemade version of the Gingerbread Latte or the Peppermint Mocha? Stay tuned!
Just walked in the door from a 95-degree hot frisbee game and needed some refreshing veggies FAST. Poof! Gazpacho to the rescue in less than a minute.
1-Minute Gazpacho Makes 5 (1-cup) servings
4 ripe tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled if not organic
¼ red onion
1 green bell pepper (preferably organic)
4 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
Blend all ingredients (except hot sauce) until smooth or desired consistency. Serve immediately (because you can’t wait), or chill in the fridge for an hour to let flavors marry.
Per cup: 89 calories, 5.5 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 243 mg sodium, 9.5 g carbohydrates, 2.5 g fiber, 1.5 g sugar, 1.5 g protein, 26.5% vitamin A, 58.5% vitamin C, 2% calcium, 4% iron
Eventhough it’s the commercials that draw me in more than the actual game, and despite my bad Buffalo Bills track record, I always watch… and munch… for the duration. Go Bills!
According to the Snack Food Association, the average SuperBowl viewer downs 1200 calories in snack food (not including meals & drinks). America hoovers 27 billion calories in potato chips alone. That’s 1.8 billion grams of fat (!!). Let’s see Oprah wheel THAT in! The second most popular snack food is tortilla chips–coming in at 8.2 million pounds–which are often buried in a sea of belt-blowing cardiac catastrophe… until now!
Dun Dun Duuuunnn!! Introducing a way to annihilate a plate of nachos and keep the fat pants in the closet!:
No Fat Pants Nachos Makes enough for 8 fans
1 13-ounce bag tortilla chips (they don’t need to be the low-fat Baked kind)
1 16-ounce can low-fat, or fat-free “refried” beans (like the delicious ones Bearitos makes)
1/2 cup water
1 jar (about 16 ounces) favorite salsa
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 avocado, cut into small chunks
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Hot sauce, as much as possible
Get 4 plates. Evenly distribute chips on the plates. Heat the beans with water in a microwave-safe bowl or glass liquid measuring cup. Pour 1/4 onto each of the 4 chip plates. Pour salsa evenly over the 4 plates and sprinkle each plate with chopped veggies, avocado, and cilantro. Coat liberally with hot sauce, if using. Chow down!
Nutrition info per serving: 229 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 538 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 10 g fiber, 8 g protein, 32% of your daily Vitamin A, 9% of your daily Calcium, 87% of your daily Vitamin C, and 13% of your daily Iron.
*A serving of “Fat Pants” Nachos may have 800 calories and over 20 grams of fat!*
