So often in the beginning of a new year, people decide to change their habits to create better health. The tweaks listed below alter your trajectory and, over time, add up to big results.
1. Limit alcohol to twice a week.
2. Move your body—walking can deliver big results.
3. Get quality, restorative sleep.
4. Eat protein with every meal.
Optavia offers tools to make incorporating protein into your meals super simple. Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring. Here are a few recipes my clients love.
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps:
Combine 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breast, 2 thinly sliced bell peppers, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons fajita seasoning, and juice from half a lime. Mix well to coat. Spread on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400° 25-30 minutes. Serve in 6 romaine lettuce leaves topped with 1/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt, if desired.
Serves 2 (3 wraps per serving). Per serving: 1 Lean, 3 Green, 1 Healthy Fat, 3 Condiments.
Bacon Cheeseburger Bites:
Combine 1 pound lean ground beef, 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well and form into 24 meatballs. Place on foil-lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 400° 15 minutes. Cut 4 ultra-thin slices of cheddar cheese into 6 rectangles each. Top each meatball with a piece of cheese. Bake 2 additional minutes. Cool. Cook 3 slices of turkey bacon. Cut each into 8 pieces. Assemble each bite on a toothpick in this order: meatball, bacon, dill pickle slice, piece of green leaf lettuce, and a cherry tomato.
Serves 4 (6 bites per serving). Per serving: 1 Lean, 1 Green, 3 Condiments.
Mini Pepper Nachos:
Sauté 1/4 cup diced jalapeños in a lightly greased skillet until tender. Mix jalapeños with a 12 ounce can low sodium chicken breast in water (drained), 6 ounces avocado (mashed), 1/2 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Halve 24 mini bell peppers, remove seeds and stems, and fill with chicken mixture. Place in a casserole dish and sprinkle with another cup of shredded cheese. Broil in oven until cheese is melted, 2-4 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped scallions.
Serves 4 (12 pepper halves per serving). Per serving: 1 Lean, 3 Green, 1 Healthy Fat, 1 Condiment.
To learn more about Optavia, contact me at 815-540-4924.