13 Lucky reasons for a good nights rest !!!

     Is there anything better than a good nights sleep !!!???  We have all heard the "how to" list on sleeping better.  Keep a routine of bed time and getting up (even on the weekends), keep your bedroom dark and cool, don't use brightly lit electronics when trying to go to sleep, turn off cell phones when it's time to go to sleep,  and reading is a good sedative. The goal is to get 6-8 hours a night. So, why all the fuss about sleep!?  Whelp, here's my lucky 13 reasons why~

1) Sleep improves your memory.
2) Sleep extends your lifespan.
3) Sleep boosts your creativity.
4) Sleep strengthens your immune system.
5) Sleep reduces your risk for depression.
6) Sleep improves your physical performance.
7) Sleep sharpens your attention.
8) Sleep reduces your stress.
9) Sleep helps your body heal itself.
10) Sleep helps you lose weight.
11) Sleep makes you more alert.
12) Sleep makes you a nicer person.
13) Sleep increases your desire to exercise.

 Night all !!!  In good health~paige  ;)

Garbanzo Edamame Black Bean Italian Salad

     Just can't get enough Edamame!!!  I love it anyway I can get it! It's even better with Garbanzo beans, throw in a few other favorites and you've got yourself the perfect salad!  Did I mention a Nutrtional Yeast Dressing!!!???  :)

Ingredients for Salad~
Can of Garbanzo Beans, drained
12oz Edamame, cooked and cooled
Can of Black Beans, drained
8-10 Basil Leaves, sliced into thin strips
Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
Small bundle Celery, cleaned and diced
3-4 leaves Kale, torn to small pieces

Ingredients for Dressing~
2 Tablespoons EVOO
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juiice
2 Tablespoons Nutrtional Yeast
Dash Garlic Powder
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Pepper

     Mix Dressing ingredients and set aside. Then mix all salad ingredients in large salad bowl, pour dressing over the top and mix well.  Enjoy  ;)

Prickly Pear Twin Tower Pancakes

     Ok so, ... I have two things to tell you ... First, I am THRILLED to try a new fruit that was in my Bountiful Basket ( didn't know what it was at first), the Prickly Pear!  And second, we were out of Egg Whites ( The Hubs used the last of them and forgot to tell "momma" we were out ... which is a big no no in our house ...  :/  ) ... sooo, I used a WHOLE EGG ( insert gasp while taking a step back and raising your bent knuckle to teeth ...).  WOW, I forgot how luscious a yolk can be and what rich flavor and moisture it adds.  So, in conclusion, you can use 1/4 cup Egg Whites OR take a walk on the wild side and use the whole stinkin EGG ... YOLO ... !!!  .... sooooo glad Thu Hubs had an Egg White Omelette for breakfast ... heeheehee ... joke is on him ... ( cat that ate the canary grin )!!!   Super Duper Macros at 294 calories, 8.7g net carbs, and 45g protein  ;)

Ingredients~
1 Prickly Pear, skinned and diced ( seeds are edible but skin is not, FYI ... don't learn the hard way)
1 scoop plus 1 Tablespoon Isothority Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Almond Milk ( 30 cal/cup)
1 Egg or 1/4 cup Egg Whites
1/4 cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla

     Skin and dice Prickly Pear, set aside.  Mix 1 Tablespoon Protein Powder and 1 Tablespoon Almond Milk, set in fridge to chill.  Meanwhile, mix 1 scoop Protein Powder, 1 Egg, 1/4 cup Cottage Cheese, dash Cinnamon and Vanilla in Magic Bullet til well fluffed.  Spray nonstick skillet with Butter Pam and pour batter in skillet into 6 pancakes and cook til golden brown on each side.  Stack in two piles on plate and top with Protein Powder Frosting, and garnish with Pear pieces.  Enjoy  these melt in your mouth pancakes  ;)

Candied Hatch Chili Chicken stuffed Sweet Potato's

     Sadly, this is the end of Hatch Green Chili week !!!  BUT, ... I've saved the best for last !!!  I think you will really dig on this sweet spicy combo!!!  This makes the perfect summer meal, light but hearty!!!  This is also a perfect way to use left over Grilled Chicken!  Time to fire up the grill on the last big weekend of the Summer!!!  Hatch Green Chili's can be purchased at all 3 Johnson's Garden Center in Wichita til mid September.  Happy Labor Day to all, be safe this weekend!!!  In good health~paige  ;)

Ingredients~
4 Sweet Potato's cleaned and baked
1 Tablespoon EVOO
Large Yellow Onion
Heaping teaspoon chopped jarred Garlic
Heavy Dash Cayenne
1/4 cup Erythritol
1/2 cup chopped and seeded Hatch Green Chili's ( from Johnson's Garden Centers)
Heavy dash Cumin
2-3 large grilled Chicken Breast, sliced and diced

     Bake Sweet Potato's.  While baking, heat EVOO in skillet, adding diced Onion, Garlic and Cayenne til golden brown.  Then add Erythritol, Peppers, and Cumin til thoroughly mixed, and add Chicken to heat thru and mix well.  Cut Sweet Potato in half and top with Chicken mixture.  Serves well with steamed Broccoli.  Enjoy  ;)

Mexican Pizza Stack with Hatch Green Chili's

     We have a couple more days left of Hatch Green Chili week, YIPPEE !!!  ( I am already getting excited for next year ;) Today's recipe just kinda fell together with several things I had on hand in the kitchen, and the flavor's blended so beautifully!!!  I really hope you will give this a try!  Its the perfect balance between light and heavy in a meal!  Even though it's beef, it is a 96% lean beef that keeps it on the lighter side, and weighs in at 115 calories, 0 Carbs and 24g protein per 4 ounces.  Those stats are almost as good as chicken!!! ... don't tell Chick Filet ...  :/  PS.  Once again, you can purchase your Hatch Green Chili's thru mid September at all 3 Johnson's Garden Centers in Wichita.

Ingredients~
1 large Tomato, sliced into 4 slices
1 Tablespoon EVOO
1 Large Yellow Onion, diced
1 heaping teaspoon chopped jarred Garlic
Dash Cayenne
Dash Chili Powder
Dash Cumin
Dash Lite Salt
1 small Red Bell Pepper, diced
1/3-1/2 cup Hatch Green Chili's, diced and seeded
1 pound 96% lean Ground Beef
1/2 cup Refried Beans
Shredded Mozzarella, desired amount
Avocado slices, desired amount
Pizza Sauce, for garnish

     Slice a large Tomato into 4 pieces and let drain on paper towel for as long as possible, set aside.  Heat EVOO in skillet, add Onions, Garlic, Cayenne, Chili Powder, Cumin and Salt and cook til golden brown. Then add diced Red Pepper til crisp tender, and stir in Hatch Green Chili's and cool slightly, then add to large mixing bowl.  Add Beef to bowl and blend well with hands and pat into 4 patties.  Put patties in non stick skillet, handle gently as they can be sensitive, and cook on low heat til browned, gently flip and cook the other side.  Meanwhile, add a Tomato ring to plate, sit cooked pattie on top, spread each burger with 2 Tablespoons Refried Beans, top with shredded Mozzarella, 3 slices Avocado and a dollop of Pizza Sauce for garnish, repeat with other 3 patties.  Serve with a fresh Garden Salad~ Enjoy  ;)

Tofu Pepper Mango Scramble with Hatch Green Chili's

     Hatch Green Chili week continues here at Food Fitness by Paige!!!  And boy am I thankful that the week isn't over quite yet !!!  This combo this morning really made my taste buds sing to the heavens!!!  I am experimenting a tad with Tofu, so I hope you will expand your horizons too and give it a whirl!  This is the perfect high protein, low card start to my day .... think I will have it tomorrow too ... ;)

Ingredients~
Spray Pam EVOO
Diced Onion, desired amount
1 small Red Bell Pepper
Kale, torn into small pieces, desired amount
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
2 oz Tofu Cutlet
1/2 cup Egg Whites
Diced and seeded Hatch Green Chili's, desired amount
1/2 oz slice Brie Cheese
3 slices Mango or Peach

     Spray skillet with EVOO Pam, add onions and cook to light golden brown.  Then add diced Red Bell Pepper and Kale til  Pepper crisp tender and Kale slightly wilted, sprinkle with Salt and Pepper.  Add diced Tofu and Hatch Chili's, stir and add Egg Whites, scramble til Egg's are thoroughly cooked. Transfer to plate and top with Brie slice and Mango slices.  Enjoy  ;)

Labor Day Dilemma Survival Guide

     Due to all the eating opportunities that Holidays bring, do you freak out at the thought of all the potential pit falls waiting to derail your healthy food habits!!!???  Well, freak no more ... I have some suggestions that might just help get you thru the night , err, day ...

1) Stay Hydrated! It's too easy to mistake thirst for hunger, and set you up for poor choices.  I heard a simple formula the other day about how much water you should drink daily.  Simply divide your weight by 2 and that's how many ounces you should consume daily.  Also, avoid or limit alcohol. Luckily, I am a nice Mormon girl and don't have this issue, but if you must drink, then try to make lower calorie choices.
2) Make sure to contribute to the food table.  It will be much easier to fix your own plate and fill it with healthy food if you are the one ensuring there are good choices to pull from.
3) Grill as much as your meal as possible!  This will reduce fat tremendously and add a super duper amount of flavor.  And don't just limit your grill to meats, get crazy with the veggies AND FRUITS !!!  ;)
4) Bring a fun fresh fruit dessert to share after your meal!  I'm thinkin' Fruit Kabobs!  They are beautiful and tasty, and make a great centerpiece if they are stuck in a watermelon!!!
5) Avoid the high fat and mayo-laden dishes ... don't no body need "nun-o-that" in their lives ... or arteries ...!!!  Your fat cells will thank you  ;)
6) Keep the day as active as possible!!!  Get up a game of badminton, suggest put put golf after dinner or a family walk!  If its pool time, then create a few pool games with laps or treading water contest!  And, certainly don't forgo your morning workout before the day gets underway!
7) Have a plan, relax, wear sunscreen, focus on socialization, relationships and time with loved ones!  If you are prepared, you will have a nice Holiday!!!  Enjoy~ In good health, paige  ;)

Cotton Candy Grapes from The Grapery

     I've been waiting for weeks for these babies to hit The Fresh Market, and the trucks finally came at 2 o'clock this afternoon !!!  It was totally worth the second trip back to the store today!!!  These special breed of Grapes are only available for a short time, so if your favorite fair food tickles your fancy, then I suggest you get off your duff and head to The Fresh Market ASAP !!!  :0  Thanks to The Grapery for bringing Cotton Candy Grapes to my belly.  I had big big plans on making a wonderful dessert with these bad boys, but I started eating them on the way home and half the bag was gone by the time I pulled into the garage....ooooopppppsssss!!!  The only draw back is that they are 5.99/lb, and I almost choked on my pre raisin goodies when the cash register totaled 22 buckeroo's .... I put one of the two bags back after gasping for air....  But, they are totally worth a fun indulgence to experience a Cotton Candy Grape for the first time!!!  In good health~paige  ;)

Hatch Chili Beef Burrito

     I have to announce that The Hubs said I "knocked it outta the park tonight" after dinner!!!  Whoa !!!  Groovey, I'll take that and put a feather in my cap !!!  We are lovin' those Hatch Green Chili's from Johnson's Garden Centers!!!  Is is on good authority that they will be picking up another load on Thursday, and in the stores on Friday!  They will have mild, medium, hot and extra hot ... although I don't know why anyone would enjoy extra hot...I'm a mild kinda girl ...!0-0  They will also have some dynamite chili's which are grown in Colorado, and peppers will be in stock thru mid to late September.  So get your Peppers now, stock pile your freezer, and enjoy them all year round!  Johnson's has 3 locations in Wichita  ;)

Ingredients~
Large Tomato, diced and drained all day on paper towel
Arm Roast ( the Arm Roast is the best type of Roast and the only type my mother ever used!)
1 teaspoon LB Jamison's Chicken Base or 1 cube Chicken Bouillon
1 packet dry Liptons Onion Soup mix
3-4 Potato's, diced
4-5 large Carrots, sliced
Large Onion, sliced
4-5 stalks Celery
Hatch Green Chili's, seeded and diced
1 can Fat Free Refried Beans
1 Avocado, sliced
Salsa
LaTortilla Factory Low Carb Shells

     Dice Tomato and drain on paper towel for as long as possible, do this in the morning if an option. Melt Chicken Base in 1 cup water, place Arm Roast in 9X13 pan, and pour Chicken Broth in pan, sprinkle dry Onion Soup mix on top of meat.  Lay diced Potato's and Carrot's around meat.  Top meat with sliced Onions,  diced Tomato's, then top with Celery and finish with a layer of Hatch Green Chili's.  Cover with Foil and bake on 300 for 4-5 hours, checking after 4 hours to see if meat is tender and falls apart easily.  After done baking, let set for 15 minutes to rest, then shred meat.  Take Low Carb Tortilla and spread with Refried Beans, Avocado sliced, Roast Beef, Potato's, Tomato's, Chili's and Salsa.  Wrap and enjoy all the wonderful flavors piled into each bite !!!  ;)

Hatch Chili Omelet

     Per the Wichita Eagle, Marty Johnson, owner of Johnson's Garden Centers, has begun his annual August treks to keep us stocked with green chilies from Hatch, N.M.  Last weekend they had their annual Chili Fest at all 3 locations 2707 W. 13th, 802 N. Ridge, and 6225 E. Shadybrook.  So now it's time to start with the Chili Recipes ... big surprise ...  !!!  The Hatch Peppers are mild and enjoyable in about any dish, but we think it's best to start your day with a wonderful Omelet.  The Hubs like to stock up each year, and fill the freezer so he can have his Chili fix each morning!!!  If you have to have an addiction, this is the one to have!  Thanks Johnson's Garden Center!!!  Go get your's before it's too late  ;)

Ingredients~
Sliced fresh Mushrooms, desired amount
Diced fresh Green Onions, desired amount
Diced Green Peppers, desired amount
Diced Red Peppers, desired amount
Diced Grilled Chicken, desired amount
Diced Hatch Green Chili's, seeded, desired amount
Egg Whites, desired amount
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
Salsa, desired amount for garnish

      Spray non-stick skillet with EVOO Pam and toss in veggies to cook til crisp tender.  Add diced Chicken and Chili's to heat thru, then pour desired amount of Egg Whites in til cooked thru.  Fold in half, remove and plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper,  top with Salsa.  Enjoy  ;)  PS  If calories are not an issue, you can always add a smidgen of shredded Cheddar Cheese in the middle of the Omelet. :0