Sweet Pepper sauce, mmmmm

Recently while discussing children with a friend at work she was talking about her baby food maker that she just loves.  How she makes pear sauce, apples, cauliflower and even pesto in this little magical machine.  Then it dawned on me that I too could use a baby food maker to make all kinds of wonderful sauces and purees without making a huge mess in the kitchen.  The same day I purchased a Beaba baby food machine on eBay.  (much cheaper than brand new) 

 What I like about the baby food maker is that it steams and blends in the same pitcher.  The entire reason that I have never ventured into making any of my own sauces of any kind is that I do not want to take the time to steam veggies and other ingredients on the stove, transfer them and blend them.  Overall I know it is not that hard but this is so much easier and less of a mess.  My first creation in my new toy was a sweet pepper sauce.  I have used this sauce on pizzas, pastas, quesadillas as a veggie dip and more.  Here is the basic setup.

You Will Need:
1) Sweet Peppers individual will work, I like this little bag with a variety of types inside.  Any pepper is fine
2)0% Fat Greek Yogurt (adds a creaminess)
3) seasoning of your choice
4) If not an appliance for steaming a pan with a basket insert will work or you could saute the veggies in a pan.

 STEPS:

1)Chip the veggies up until you have the desired amount, I fill the steamer basket to make about 1 cup
2)STEAM
3)After the veggies have steamed (about 15min) drain the extra water if you want a thicker sauce
4)Add Greek Yogurt, I used 1/4 of a cup
5)Season, I simply added Minced Garlic

6) Blend to desired consistency and like Magic you have a wonderful sweet and creamy sauce!

 Next week I will post some of the recipes I have used this sauce for the give you some ideas but never forget to think outside of the box!  Just because it is SUPPOSED to be a baby food maker does not mean it can't be used for anything else!  These are much cheaper than a vitamix!

Nutritional Information
1 cup
Carbs 16g
Protein 8g
Fat 0

I usually use 1/4 cup at a time, ENJOY!

Screw your comfort zone!

As many of you know I am training for a bodybuilding competition this summer, my first time competing and doing anything of its nature.  As part of my preparation one of my coaches told me I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.  Not like I need to learn to enjoy having to hold my pee for extended periods of time but with uncomfortable situations.  For example, wanting to eat a whole box of cookies but knowing that it will not further my goals, having to have a confrontation with someone at work or home, saying no to someone who needs a favor.  Discomfort in all areas of life not just related to my contest and eating.  For me one of the biggest and to many most surprising discomfort of all is a group fitness setting.

Until last week I had done maybe 5 or less group fitness classes of any type ever, in my entire life.  To many of you this may be strange.  Lots of women and men find that classes are comfortable because they are being told what to do, lots of people are doing it and no one is really paying attention to each individual person.  I am the total opposite, I love the weight room.  Standing out there among the dumbbells and machines, ipod blaring, zoning out, doing my own this is where I am comfortable.  I have never been comfortable in a group fitness setting.  I do no like someone else dictating my workout, being stuck next to all of those other people and I am the most uncoordinated person in the world, by far the worst in every class that I have ever attended.  The thought of group fitness makes me nervous.

Last week I literally woke up and decided that I would give yoga a try.  I know this is not the same type of group fitness as attending Zumba or sculpt or any of those but for me it was uncomfortable and out of the ordinary.  I signed up for a free week at Core Power and a month of Bikram simultaneously because I didn't know which I would like.  I did lots of research online as to what type of class I should start with, asked my co-workers a million questions and attended my first yoga class.

The first class I tried, I was nervous.  What if I can't do the poses?  What if I fall down?  What if I am the worst person in the entire class?!  I sucked it up, went in, did it and an hour later I was still alive!  I was not the worst, not the best and it was really exciting to try something new.  The following morning I attended my very first Bikram class and experienced the same anxiety, same thoughts, same fear.  Six classes later, I love my Bikram yoga and I am so happy that I gave it a shot.

Not only did trying these two new things force me to go beyond my comfort zone and try something new it has opened up an entire new side of health and fitness for me.  I still experience self doubt at the beginning of each class but now it is even more exciting each class I attend as I see myself progress and my skills develop.  No one has pointed and laughed, I have not fallen over nor am I the best or worst in any class that I attend.  I am now just a little bit more comfortable in a group fitness setting.

Whether your comfort zone is the weight room or fitness classes or home workout videos I challenge you to let it go; this week try something new.  If you always attend classes try a day out in the weight room, ask a trainer for a free one on one session.  They are almost always willing to let you try 30-60min on the house.  Bring a magazine from home and do a workout you see in its pages.  If you always use the treadmill, try the StairMaster or the upright bike.  If you only use free weights, try a class, go to spin or Zumba.  Tell your comfort zone to hit the road and do something different for yourself this week, try something new, challenge yourself to experience new things.  It will feel so good for you physically and emotionally, you will be glad you did.

*My coach also has her own blog and website, check it out: peakofmind.wordpress.com
kori@thedietdoc.com

Food . . . What's the big deal?

As I was sitting in the cafeteria at work today, watching everyone eat their lunch and simultaneously watching "The Chew" on the cafeteria TV it dawned on me; we are a country obsessed with food!  Do not get me wrong I am guilty as charged I love food, food shows, restaurants and cooking.  I have even been called a "foodie" from time to time.  But honestly when did food become such a big deal, such a way of life, so fashionable?

How many of you reading this right now have been literally elated about an upcoming dinner at a particular restaurant?  How many of you have at least one show that is food related that you watch or DVR religiously?  How many of you look forward to certain holidays only because of the food involved?  The answer is EVERYONE, myself included.

America is a country obsessed with food, fashion and blowing everything out of proportion.  We have entire channels that revolved around food and cooking it.  Entire tours in the major cities, vacations planned around restaurants and eateries.  Apps as far as you can scroll related to food and eating, no wonder our country has so many issues not only with obesity but with anorexia and other eating disorders.  On one hand food and images of it are being shoved down your throat at every glance urging you to indulge.  On the other hand are pictures of what every man and woman should look like and a reality show depicting their lives or how you can get their look.

At what point in time did food cease to become a way to nourish our bodies, something to be shared with our loved ones around a dinner table and become a complete way of life?  New restaurant openings and Top Chef premieres are similar to the Tickle me Elmo toy craze, on a certain level it just doesn't make sense anymore.  If you haven't tried the lastest trend you aren't even "cool".

This is not to say that food should not be enjoyed, that cooking and eating cannot be exciting or that there is anything wrong with liking Top Chef and being excited about an upcoming dinner.  Guilty as charged to all of the above.  But the next time you are obsessing over the latest trend to hit the food world or bribing the hostess to get seated at the new restaurant next door, take a step back to think when this all started?  Surely our parents never engaged in food for recreation the way that we do.  How many of our current food related behaviors are a result of the media and our society in general creating a need and thrill related to consuming food.  If the media practiced some sort of moderation would that likely rub off on us as well?