Caprese Salad
- 1 (10-ounce) box of grape tomatoes, quartered (or cherry tomatoes, halved).
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (I used about 25 leaves), torn
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss together the cut up tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
- Add olive oil to bowl, and lightly toss together.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the top of salad.
Sprinkle salt as desired.
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Jalapeño Cilantro Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn, shucked (Or get a bag of sweet corn from costco, sams club, or whole foods to save time)
- 1 cup small-diced red onion (about ½ of a large onion)
- 5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves rough chopped
- 4 Jalapeño peppers finely diced (seeds removed)
- 2-3 tablespoon of honey (or agave nectar) The amount of honey needed is directly related to the sweetness of the corn. Sweeter corn will require less honey.
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water (I add sugar to ensure sweetness), cook the corn for 5 minutes. Drain and let cool.
- When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close enough to the cob to remove the kernels but not so close that you remove the husk with it.
- Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onions, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and then start adding the honey or agave nectar as desired. The sweetness should balance out the vinegar.
- Make a few hours a head so the flavors infuse together. Chill and serve cold or leave out and serve at room temperature.
Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1¼ lbs ground turkey (85% lean)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth (gluten free)
- 2 cups diced sweet potatoes
- 1 can black beans, rinsed
- salt and pepper
- shredded cheddar for serving
Instructions
- Put a swirl of olive oil in a dutch oven and brown turkey until cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Brown onion and garlic in another tsp of olive oil until done.
- Add turkey back to pot with onions and add spices. Stir and cook for one minute.
- Add tomatoes and juices, chicken stock, beans and sweet potatoes.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are softened.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with cheese and serve hot
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- 6 cups of fresh cauliflower florets
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ¾ cup Frank’s RedHot hot sauce or Sriracha
- Preheat oven to 450. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil, or olive oil. Set aside.
- Mix the garlic powder, salt, pepper, melted butter, and hot sauce in a small bowl.
- Add the cauliflower into a large gallon-sized bag, pour the buffalo sauce into the bag. Shake until the cauliflower florets are fully coated. – Spread on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing or more siracha!
Sweet Potato Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 lb grass fed lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 2-3 fresh Boston, Bib or Iceburg lettuce leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Form beef into small meat patties and press into flat into muffin tin.
- Place in oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes or to desired doneness.
- While burger patties are baking, slice sweet potatoes into discs.
- Place discs in a bowl and coat with coconut oil and cajun seasoning.
- Line discs on a baking sheet and place in oven for approximately 25 minutes, turning over mid way through.
- Once patties and sweet potatoes are done, assemble by stacking sweet potato, beef patty, lettuce, avocado slice, tomato slice, sweet potato.
- Serve and enjoy!
About the Author:
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Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions and Frontline Fitness Pros. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.
Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and fitness industry advocate by trade. He is dedicated to enhancing the standard of practice of, and advocating for, fitness and wellness professionals to ensure they become an essential constituent in the healthcare delivery system.
With a career spanning over three decades in fitness, health, and wellness Michael has a deep knowledge of exercise physiology, health/wellness coaching, lifestyle interventions to mitigate chronic disease and leadership. He is credentialed through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), Exercise is Medicine practitioner (ASCM-EIM), and a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (ACSM-PAPHS). Michael is a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology in 2004 and is currently a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) candidate at University of Michigan, with a specific concentration in health behavior and health education.
Michael is a board of directors’ member for the Physical Activity Alliance and Michigan Fitness Clubs Association. He sits on the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology Alumni Board of Governors. Michael is an expert curriculum reviewer for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Finally, he is a member of the executive leadership team for American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.
Michael lectures nationally for several health/fitness certification and continuing educations, including; IHRSA, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Strength & Conditioning Association, and SCW Fitness.