Carbs you SHOULD be eating!

Carbs have a bad reputation in weight-loss rings. But the truth is, if you're smart about your carb choices, they won't crumble your diet. What's more, they may even HELP you lose weight!

Eating “good carbs” in place of refined ones (like donuts, cake and white bread) can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and may even help you to LOSE WEIGHT because they’re generally rich in feel-full fiber. One study in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating three servings of whole grains a day helped people reduce abdominal fat and total body fat! That's great news for all of us that have a "bread" weakness!

Here is a list of some "good carbs" to help you Get Fit!

PASTA!

That's right! But make sure you are buying Brown Rice or Whole wheat pasta.

(I found that Wal-Mart has a great selection of all styles of pasta made with brown rice, whole wheat and quinoa)

Also, these healthy pastas take just slightly longer to cook and I like to flavor the water with chicken broth.

QUINOA

Consider it souped-up couscous. This delicately flavored whole grain provides some fiber (2 grams per half cup) and a good amount of protein (4 grams)!

Always remember to rinse your quinoa before cooking, and follow the same rules for cooking as rice!

I  use a rice steamer when cooking quinoa, plus I like to add fresh peas and mushrooms for that   Extra Love!

BULGUR

It's just cracked wheat that’s been parboiled so it simply needs to soak in hot water for most uses—a perfect low-maintenance grain. It’s also a good source of feel-full fiber: just 1/2 cup delivers 5 grams.I also buy this at Wal-Mart, for the special deal!

POPCORN!

Yes, Popcorn!

Because when you’re craving cheez-its or potato chips...you’re certainly not going to reach for a bowl of oatmeal. Popcorn satisfies a snack craving and it’s a whole grain! 3 cups of popped popcorn equals three recommended daily servings of whole grains and contains 3 grams of fiber. Woo-Hoo!

WILD Rice

Wild rice has no gluten. Its high fiber content helps eliminate constipation and lowers cholesterol levels. Wild rice is extremely high in antioxidants. These antioxidants counteract the damage done by free radicals in the body. (Free radicals are those cursed things that make us look old!)

Wild Rice is high in Vitamin B9,B3, Niacin, Folate, Phosphorous, Amino Acids, Lycine, Zinc and has twice the fiber of brown rice! 

Now Thats Just WILD!

What Makes a GREAT Business or Company

A business or company is Great to their customers when times are slow.  They treat them in their best interests with customer care, satisfaction and with great expedience, in all earnest to keep and build their customer base.  

A GREAT business or company treats that same customer as if he/she is the only one they have when the economy is great and the market is in abundance! 

TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS AS IF THEY WERE YOU!

Spunky Carne Asada Marinade

Ingredients 

3/4 cup Orange Juice

1/2 cup Soy Sauce

1/2 cup fresh Lime Juice

1/3 cup Lemon Juice

6 cloves Garlic, chopped

1 small Chipotle Pepper, diced

1 can Green Chilies

1 Tablespoon each of Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika

1 teaspoon each of dried Oregano & Black Pepper

1 bunch fresh Cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup Olive Oil

Directions

1. Combine the orange, lemon, and lime juice in a large glass or ceramic bowl along with the garlic, soy sauce, chipotle pepper, canned green chilies, chili power, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and cilantro. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until marinade is well combined. Remove one cup of the marinade and place in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for use after the meat is cooked.
2. Place the flank steak between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the steak with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/4 inch. After pounding, poke steak all over with a fork. Add the meat to the marinade in a clean freezer bag or large bowl, cover, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
4. Remove the steak from the marinade and grill to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Discard used marinade. Remove meat from heat and slice across the grain.
5. Pour the one cup of reserved, unused marinade over the hot meat and serve immediately.

Jack O'Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

6 Bell Peppers in Fall Colors

1 pound ground Chuck

1/2 pound ground turkey

1 egg

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 red onion chopped

2 roma tomatoes chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

1/2 cup chili sauce

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
2. Lightly mix together the ground beef/turkey, egg, bread crumbs, onion, tomato, garlic, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Wash the peppers, and cut jack-o'-lantern faces into the peppers with a sharp paring knife, making triangle eyes and noses, and pointy-teeth smiles. Slice off the tops of the peppers, and scoop out the seeds and cores. Stuff the peppers lightly with the beef stuffing, and place them into the prepared baking dish so they lean against each other.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the peppers are tender and the stuffing is cooked through and juicy, about 1 hour.

BEET, CHEESE and BLUEBERRY SALAD

Ingredients:

6 Red Beets Washed & Chopped

1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

 Salt & Pepper to taste

1 Shallot Chopped

1 cup Goat Cheese Crumbled

1/3 Cup Almonds Chopped

1 cup Fresh Blueberries

 Lemon Juice

Fresh Romaine Lettuce 2 stalks cut for salad

Preparation:

Preheat an oven to 350F.

Peel beets and cut into 1-inch round wedges. Place the beets on a baking sheet. Coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover the baking sheet

with aluminum foil and roast until the beets are fork-tender, about 1 hour. After they cool about 30 minutes, cut into stars or use cookie cutter for Uniform pieces.

Add beets and chopped shallot to large  bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes for beets to absorb juice.

In large salad serving bowl add lettuce then place Beet stars on top.

Garnish with the Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Blueberries. Drizzle the Raspberry Vinaigrette over the Salad and serve immediately. 

EDAMAME Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups Frozen Shelled Edamame

1-1/2 cup Fresh Corn Kernels

1-1/2 cup Mango Cubes (1 med)

1 cup Tomato Chopped

½ cup Red Onion chopped

1 cup Black Beans

2 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro chopped

1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Lime Juice

Pinch of Salt

Pinch of Ground Black Pepper

Preparation:

1.) Prepare Edamame per package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

2.) Transfer to large bowl.

3.) Stir in corn, mango, tomato, onion, black beans, cilantro, oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.

4.) Toss well.

Beer Rita

Ingredients:

1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate

12 fluid ounces White Tequila

12 fluid ounces 7-Up (sprite, fresca or squirt works too)

12 fluid ounces Mexican Beer (Corona, Modelo or Dos Equis are my fav’s )

Ice

1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions:

Pour limeade, tequila, 7-Up, and beer into a large pitcher. Stir until well-blended and limeade has melted. Add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime wedges. Adjust with additional beer, if needed.