Better for You Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Posted on January 3, 2016 by eatstyledallas

I don’t know about you, but my 2016 has been off to a great start. After spending the last bit of last year on the road, in the sky and running around like crazy it was nice to hit a reset button and get back to the basics. I’ve never been one for setting New Years resolutions. Not that I don’t like the idea of setting goals and aspiring to achieve a new standard in a certain area of my life. I suppose I just want to see tiny improvements across my life, whether health, outlook or overall happiness.

One of the most integral parts of turning over a new leaf for the new year is deciding on what I put into my body. Knowing that diets (or ‘the d word’ as we call it in our house) will never be something I can do, I strive to make tiny changes in my over all dining choices. So, in that spirit I am going to be introducing a new series every week where I will show off a ‘better for you’ recipe that we can all make in a snap at home.

I decided to kick things off with a near and dear recipe for open faced tarragon chicken salad sandwiches with roasted red pepper soup. Being that I am from the south, chicken salad is something that is coveted amongst comfort food but can be quite heavy and calorie laden. With a few tweaks here and there, I’ve lightened things up a bit. As you’ll discover in the recipe, I’ve swapped high calorie mayo for my favorite Fage greek yogurt and loaded the salad with all white meat chicken. So, grab a pen and pencil and dive into a plate of comfort that won’t cost you!

What you’ll need:

4 boneless, all white meat, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups 2% Fage Greek yogurt
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 small Granny Smith apples, finely diced
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper, Tarragon and Dill for seasoning
Toasted bread for serving

Directions
In a large stockpot over high heat, cover the chicken with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside to cool completely, about 20 minutes, then dice.

In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, yogurt, grapes, almonds, pecans, cranberries, apples and onions. Season with salt and pepper, dill and tarragon to taste. Serve on toasted bread, open faced.

Insta Fit for Fall

Posted on November 10, 2015 by eatstyledallas

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Unlike some, I don’t keep my favorite ways to stay healthy and fit a secret. I am all about sharing the wealth on health on social media and with you. So as I look ahead to what some consider the most high calorie and unhealthy season of the year (aka my favorite time to indulge) I thought I’d share some of my favorites right now.

For fitness, I always try to cross-train during the week to keep my body guessing to intensify the workout. Of course, my old faithful friend Flywheel Sports has been my go-to for years. The different trainers provide a variety of rides and workouts that maximize the 45 I spend on the bike!

Another favorite that has been fun to try recently is Beyond 500. This particular workout method combines three disciplines to create the most efficient and balanced workout system: Pilates-inspired functional movements, cardio intervals, and strength exercises. I always feel winded after but stronger because of the work I put in.

Fuel Up? Look no further than my favorite good-for-me meal on the go, Snap Kitchen. Whether I am grabbing a juice to refuel during a long day or after a workout or getting a nutrient packed meal, it’s always a good choice. Lately I have been digging on the Far East Tumeric juice and one of their tasty snack packs.

When I am at home, I love whipping up a green salad with a protein and a flavorful dressing. It’s the 2 minute way to fill up with something that will keep you full of energy and away from the fast food! Homemade doesn’t have to mean hard.

Treat yourself and your skin to something extra special this fall. Kiehl’s legendary product line keeps your skin glowing, soft and healthy throughout the year. Guys be sure to stock up on my favorites for the fall season. Products like the oil eliminator, facial fuel and the creamy avocado eye treatment will get you ready in no time.

Need a little more relaxation time post holiday shopping or family time? Etre Belle is located in the bustling NorthPark Center and offers spa and medical spa services including massages, facials, manicures/pedicures. I love their rejuvenating facials and swedish massages if I feel a little tense or tired.

Fall into a healthy routine this season and tell me about your favorite ways to do so on social media!

Plates for Pets, I and Love and You

Posted on September 23, 2015 by eatstyledallas

This post was going to be a series of cute puppies and kittens in a row, but I have some other important things to discuss with you. As a pet lover and former puppy foster dad, I have an affinity for giving pets the best they can get in their diets. I and Love and You, the coolest pet brand around, symbolizes the incredible bond between a human and a pet. That love and allegiance is a two way street with purrs and wags in between. Pets give us undying devotion, and we give pets the best food, the best love, and the best goofy Halloween costumes.

The brand invited some pet lovers and fellow bloggers to dinner at Cafe Momentum and served us exactly what our pets eat. And it was delicious. The naturally awesome pet food company invited us to an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and dinner to sample dishes made from fresh, wholesome ILY ingredients like lamb, duck, beef, salmon, sweet potatoes and vegetables – created by Café Momentum. This fun evening was designed to highlight the quality of ingredients found in ILY foods and how that benefits pets. The food was delicious and the camaraderie was even better! And because ILY has donated more than 27,000 meals to dogs and cats at rescues and shelters across the country, ILY is partnering with Cane Rosso Rescue to donate food and treats for its rescue groups and foster homes.

Give this brand a try and treat your furry friend to a delicious and fun way to get the best life possible!

Fit Tips and Fun

Posted on June 26, 2015 by eatstyledallas

The alarm clock rings and suddenly your day begins. A rush of thoughts from ‘Shouldn’t have had those margaritas last night!” to “Time to feed the dog!” rush through your head. For me, nowadays the one thought that comes to mind early on in the day is “How can I commit to my health without worrying about obsessing over it?” It’s not been an easy one to answer all the time, I’ll be honest, but with the help of a few tips I’ve learned along the way it seems a lot more manageable.

In my everyday regime, I look for ways to squeeze in a run on one of Dallas’ several outdoor trails or stopping in to my favorite healthy food joint to grab a quick meal. Recently, some of my favorite places to make healthy choices both on my plate and in my fitness schedule have made leaps and bounds to make my healthy commitment easier.

For instance, my favorite indoor cycling session at Flywheel Sports is offering three express #FLYTuneUp challenges before you hit your next BBQ or pool party. From July 13th- 26th, they’ll be offering a Flywheel Tune-Up, FlyBarre Tune-Up and FlyPlus Tune-Up (wheel and barre). They partner with SELF magazine contributing editors Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh of C&J Nutrition, to provide you with an exclusive 14-day meal plan and nutritional support! Essentially, you commit to being there for two weeks (for starters) and they make it easier to stay on track.

Another way I am committing to fit is through my meal choices. I recently discovered Blue Apron, a meal delivery service that provides you with all the ingredients that you need to make a delicious meal in exactly the right proportions. The service just started delivering to the DFW area! That’s right, they ship you fresh ingredients in exactly the right amounts and you get to learn new, healthy recipes that are sure to fit the bill for your health. I’ve been obsessed with everything they have sent so far from salmon burgers to chicken meatballs and even steak! Great for busy weeknight meals and to shake up your normal routine.

Two easy ways to win back your health and commit to fit.

Summer Shape Up Made Easy

Posted on June 3, 2015 by eatstyledallas

The heavy rain, happy hours and stress eating over binging on your favorite TV shows are taking a toll on your health routine. I get it! It’s not easy to prep for the warmest months of the year, pool parties and outdoor activities that require tighter clothing when we’ve been trapped indoors for most of Spring. Fear not, I’ve got some easy tips and tricks for making this Summer your healthiest yet. (Notice I didn’t say skinny because that’s not a goal, health is.)

I’m about to lay down the law on how eating well, drinking your greens and getting your fitness on a few weeks before Summer can be super simple.

My favorite routine as of late has been the Daily Greens 4-Day cleanse. I know the dreaded ‘c’ word can be something to fear, but on this plan you get to eat. Heck yes! Besides, they press 6 pounds (9 servings) of raw, USDA Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified produce into every 16 oz bottle of Daily Greens core green juices. The company owner Shauna Martin just released her book, Daily Greens 4-Day Cleanse, and I am such a fan. The book breaks down anything and everything one may need to know about this safe and gentle cleanse. It also includes four Seasonal Cleanse Menus and  collaboration with nutrition expert Lauren Minchen, MPH, RDN, CDN.

Eating is a cinch too! My go-to greens come from Crisp Salad Co. at their new Park Lane location. My favorite salad bowl is the ‘Superfood’ packed with Grilled Shrimp, Spinach, Quinoa, Marinated Apple, Grilled Sweet Corn, Black Beans and a Lemon Vinaigrette. Always fresh, always healthy. The folks at Crisp Salad Co. really know their stuff and everything is sustainably sourced as well. Now there is a power meal to feel great about!

Let’s get your butt in gear and put the pedal to the medal. Fad spin classes are easy to be found around Dallas. I don’t go to the spin studio to look cute or have a social hour, I am there to put in work! Especially with swimsuit season around the corner, I’ve got no time to worry about looking pretty while burning major calories. Enter my favorite way to ride a bike in town, Flywheel Sports. I’ve sung their praises before so I don’t need to reiterate just how amazing their classes are. As a 4 year member, I can testify to the ability of a 45-minute Flywheel class to get my abs tight, my booty right and feel ready to take on the Summer. Can I get an Amen?

Oh, and let’s not forget my favorite way to relax and cool down once I have eaten right and finished riding my bike. I didn’t believe I could love a Korean spa experience until I visited Spa Castle. I spent the day their recently trying out their relaxing, detoxifying spa and had such an amazing time! Don’t miss the Hot Stone Massage and all their saunas. Learn to love the ‘ahhhh’ part of relaxing after kicking your butt and eating right!

Go take on Summer with confidence!

Hard Pressed Health

Posted on December 21, 2014 by eatstyledallas

Eat your veggies. Take your vitamins. Drink your juice, Shelby. These are all things we’ve been told (well, maybe not the last) about increasing our healthy potential. With the incoming Holiday meals, my friends over at Daily Greens allowed me to try out their 4-Day Cleanse program to kick start my health-minded resolutions. I know what your thinking, and before you fret about feeling peckish or angry about skipping meals for 4 days straight, I am asking you to consider a few things. Daily Greens is the foundation to detoxing and cleansing your body, and maintaining long-term health through a consistent intermittent fasting* routine.

During my 4-day program, I was told to use the juices to make it through breakfast, lunch and snack with the juices alone. When dinner rolls around, founder Shauna Martin recommends being mindful of what you are consuming. The beauty of this brand is that with the 4-day allotment, you are allowed to be a human being when the social events of the weekend begin. Most of us feel fatigued and zapped of energy when all we can have is juice for 4 days straight. Daily Greens encourages mindful nourishment. Because it is packed with vitamins and minerals, it serves well as a meal replacement, especially breakfast. Best consumed on an empty stomach, our juices give an immediate boost of energy and hydration.

I know if I can make it through the first part of my day with the juices, I can take on the rest with ease. I especially loved trying out their new line of hemp milk products, packed with protein, for my post workout thirst. The New Year cleanse program is creeping up on us and Daily Greens can provide you with recipes for soups and salads to combine with the juicing regimen. I highly recommend this company, based out of Austin, if you want an easy way to cleanse and purify for New Years health.

On the Go Paleo

Posted on November 4, 2014 by eatstyledallas

What are you having for lunch today? For dinner tonight? Okay, tell me whats for breakfast tomorrow? If you had to stop and think about any of those choices, you need Gourmaleo in your life. I know what you’re thinking though, you’ve heard of the paleo way of eating and it sounds super strict and awful. Enter Tricia Lewis, who set out on a mission to take her culinary, in-the-kitchen background and turn it into your healthy best friend.

Gourmaleo provides convenient, ready-to-heat-and-eat meals that fit a paleo lifestyle and delivers to your door on Sundays and Mondays, individually portioned in microwaveable containers. Make eating paleo convenient and delicious! So no more worrying about eating a well balanced meal morning, noon or night. I sampled several of there dishes recently. We all know I love comfort food and these meals fit the bill.

I loved the pasta with capers, the buffalo burgers with seasonal kale and the pesto chicken stuffed sweet potato. Not once did I feel starved after eating the perfectly portioned meals. The best part? The menu changes weekly and first time customers get a meal for free.

For more information to see this week’s menu, check out the website at www.gourmaleo.com.

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