Chipotle Flank Steak Tacos With Pineapple Salsa. There’s no need to go out for a calorie-loaded Mexican dinner when you have a recipe like this. Skip the extra calories and fat, and instead create this delicious steak taco that combines savory and sweet flavors and can be prepared in less than 25 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
12 soft corn tortillas
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder plus 1 pinch, divided
1 teaspoon Kosher salt, divided
1 pound flank steak beef, trimmed of fat
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick rings
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
Preparation:
1. Preheat grill to high. Stack tortillas and wrap in heavy-duty foil. Combine oil, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small dish. Rub mixture into both sides of steak. Place the tortilla stack on the coolest part of the grill or upper warming rack, if possible, and heat, flipping once, until warmed through and very pliable.
2. Meanwhile, grill the steak for 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium, or until desired doneness. Grill pineapple rings until moderately charred, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the tortillas, steak, and pineapple from the grill. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing very thinly crosswise into strips.
3. Meanwhile, dice the pineapple and transfer to a medium bowl. Add bell pepper, onion, cilantro, vinegar, the remaining pinch of chipotle powder, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss to combine. Serve the sliced steak in the warm tortillas with the pineapple salsa.
Most people think of pumpkin as a decorative gourd rather than a highly nutritious food. This is unfortunate because it is one of the most nutritionally valuable foods known to man. Pumpkin is actually not a vegetable, but a fruit, and like melons, is a member of the gourd family. It’s inexpensive, available year round in canned form, incredibly easy to incorporate into recipes, high in fiber, and low in calories. All in all, pumpkin is a real nutrition superstar. Pumpkin packs an abundance of disease-fighting nutrients, including potassium, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and vitamins C and E. The key nutrient that boosts pumpkin to the top of the SuperFoods list is the synergistic combination of carotenoids. Pumpkin contains one of the richest supplies of bioavailable carotenoids known to man. It is the dark horse of the SuperFoods.
The bright orange color of pumpkin is a dead giveaway that pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. Foods rich in carotenoids have been linked to a host of health-promoting and disease-fighting activities. They have been shown to decrease the risk of various cancers, including lung, colon, bladder, cervical, breast, and skin.
Carotenoids have also shown great promise in their ability to lower rates of heart disease.
Carotenoid consumption also decreases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
The two carotenoids that are richly present in pumpkin (betacarotene and alphacarotene) are particularly potent phytonutrients. Beta-carotene found in foods, working synergistically with the other nutrients present in that food, have a very different effect on the body than a single nutrient isolated from its web of assisting and augmenting synergistic partners. The carotenoids, like many nutrients, work best as a team.
When derived from whole foods like pumpkin, the carotenoids are major players in the fight against disease. It prevents the oxidation of cholesterol which can build up in blood vessel walls and contribute to the risk of heart attack and stroke. Extra beta-carotene in the diet may help to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Beta-carotene along with other carotenoids may also prove to be helpful in preventing the free radical-caused complications of long-term diabetes and the increased risk for cardiovascular disease associated with this common illness.
Studies have also shown that a good intake of beta-carotene can help to reduce the risk of colon cancer, possibly by protecting colon cells from the damaging effects of cancer-causing chemicals.
While beta-carotene has long been linked with health promotion, it’s the bounty of alpha-carotene in pumpkin that makes it a real nutrition standout. The exciting news about alpha-carotene is that its presence in the body along with other key nutrients is reportedly inversely related to biological aging. In other words, the more alpha-carotene you eat, the slower your body shows signs of age.
Pumpkins contain many vitamins and nutrients including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, niacin, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E. Pumpkin is also a terrific source of fiber.
One of the best features of pumpkin is that it’s readily available all year long in an inexpensive canned form. Canned pumpkin is one of those foods that give the lie to the notion that fresh is always best, because canned pumpkin puree (not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling which has added sugar and spices) is actually more nutritious.
Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.
Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.
Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.
The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density.
Pumpkin Seeds are also loaded with minerals. They promote overall prostate health. They contain L-tryptophan, a compound that has been found to be effective against depression. They are believed to serve as a natural protector against osteoporosis. They have been known to reduce inflammation. And, being rich in phytosterols, they have been associated with reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol.
The Sonoma Diet is the most flavorful weight loss plan under the sun. Here is Marv’s success story about losing 45 pounds.
Ever since high school, I’ve been overweight. Over the years, I’ve tried about every type of diet or weight loss program you can think — Herbal Lite, Ripped Fuel, the Grapefruit Diet, drinking only green tea, and nothing short of starving myself — but the weight never came off.
When I saw a flyer for an information session on The Sonoma Diet, I figured I might as well try it. The first 10 days were a little tough for me because I was focused on the things I could no longer have. But then I started eating all the great foods I could enjoy, and I realized the food is so good that I can’t see why I would ever need to stop eating this way!
As the pounds started to drop off, the diet just got easier and easier. Now I’ve lost 45 pounds; lowered my cholesterol, my blood sugar, and my blood pressure; and I’ve never felt better! I’ve been on blood pressure medicine for 15 years, and my doctor is now considering cutting the dosage in half if the numbers stay where they are. This has been an easy transition for a lifestyle change because the food is so delicious. No other diet has ever worked like this!
My friends and family are so amazed at my results — they can’t believe how different I look and act. Even people I’ve worked with for a long time sometimes don’t recognize me when they walk by. However, my greatest reward was going to my 25th high school reunion; the people I was close to were amazed at how great I looked, and the people I wasn’t so close to couldn’t believe it was me! It felt great after all those years of feeling bad about myself. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I was flying pretty high on compliments that night and hey — I looked awesome!
Favorite snack: Peanuts.
Favorite compliment: I love it when people tell me how much younger I look, but it’s even better when they comment on how healthy I look.
Favorite Sonoma Diet tip: Eat! That’s the only way to be successful. You have a wide variety of food items to choose from and the portions are plenty — so I say enjoy, and the weight just naturally comes off.
Favorite motivational strategy: Don’t be fooled by the word “diet” — treat The Sonoma Diet as a lifestyle change. Life is too short, and this diet is too easy, for me to return to the days of being overweight and feeling poorly about myself.
Read more about the Sonoma Diet here, or click on the link in our Blogroll.
The Beach Ready program is designed to improve on your current fitness level (whether that be high or low) and get you looking great for the beach. You should have a bit of background with strength training as we will be following an intermediate progression. But no worries if you don’t, you can simply substitute the intermediate strength sessions with beginner sessions. Also, you will need to have access to a stationary bike for the spinning sections. If you do not have your own then you can download the session on your I-Pod and head to your local gym to complete. All sessions will be between 45–60 minutes, with an average weekly time commitment of 4-6 hours. This 6 week video program will provide you with training notes each day as well as nutrition information to keep you motivated and excited to be getting active and getting fit!
Introducing your instructor Justine Boulin.
In 2006 I graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Kinesiology. While there I ran Varsity Track and have competed all over North America for my University, Province, and Country. Running is one of my passions, and you will find numerous programs that I’ve created for you so that you can achieve your running destination – whether it be your 10th 5k or 1st marathon.
Living in Vancouver, British Columbia; I am fortunate to have it all in my backyard. I’ve taken advantage of the beautiful surroundings for my own training; whether it’s running on the seawall or biking to deep cove. This year I will be competing in numerous running events, several triathlons, hiking the west coast trail in 1 day, hiking the Grand Canyon, skydiving, and mountain biking in Moab, Utah.
I am passionate in empowering people to reap the rewards of achieving their physical goals and am looking forward to interacting with you, and helping you achieve your fitness and health goals.
To join or find out more visit our MyPypeline page or click on the link in our Blogroll.
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon is an incredibly easy and tasty vegetable side dish. Pair it with organic rotisserie chicken or a nice piece of grilled fish and you’ve got a sensationally healthy meal. Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 dash freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, cut into wedges
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss broccoli with oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a large baking sheet (not air-insulated) and roast until the broccoli is tender and blackened on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.
Chipotle Flank Steak Tacos With Pineapple Salsa. There’s no need to go out for a calorie-loaded Mexican dinner when you have a recipe like this. Skip the extra calories and fat, and instead create this delicious steak taco that combines savory and sweet flavors and can be prepared in less than 25 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Most people think of pumpkin as a decorative gourd rather than a highly nutritious food. This is unfortunate because it is one of the most nutritionally valuable foods known to man. Pumpkin is actually not a vegetable, but a fruit, and like melons, is a member of the gourd family. It’s inexpensive, available year round in canned form, incredibly easy to incorporate into recipes, high in fiber, and low in calories. All in all, pumpkin is a real nutrition superstar. Pumpkin packs an abundance of disease-fighting nutrients, including potassium, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and vitamins C and E. The key nutrient that boosts pumpkin to the top of the SuperFoods list is the synergistic combination of carotenoids. Pumpkin contains one of the richest supplies of bioavailable carotenoids known to man. It is the dark horse of the SuperFoods.
The Sonoma Diet is the most flavorful weight loss plan under the sun. Here is Marv’s success story about losing 45 pounds.
The Beach Ready program is designed to improve on your current fitness level (whether that be high or low) and get you looking great for the beach. You should have a bit of background with strength training as we will be following an intermediate progression. But no worries if you don’t, you can simply substitute the intermediate strength sessions with beginner sessions. Also, you will need to have access to a stationary bike for the spinning sections. If you do not have your own then you can download the session on your I-Pod and head to your local gym to complete. All sessions will be between 45–60 minutes, with an average weekly time commitment of 4-6 hours. This 6 week video program will provide you with training notes each day as well as nutrition information to keep you motivated and excited to be getting active and getting fit!
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon is an incredibly easy and tasty vegetable side dish. Pair it with organic rotisserie chicken or a nice piece of grilled fish and you’ve got a sensationally healthy meal. Makes 4 servings.