Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

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Tips for Establishing a Healthy Routine

We asked Peak Performance’s own Exercise Physiologists about how they have created routine in their lives. From working out, to meal prepping to staying hydrated, read on for their best tips!

What is a routine and why is it important to me?

Not to be confused with a popular French Canadian dish, a Routine is a task or behavior performed regularly. It can be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly- and it can be anything from brushing your teeth, to changing the oil in your car, or getting to work and the gym. Each task is some part of every person’s life to some degree of regularity. In relative terms, a routine is what’s considered a normal pattern for someone. Although the “normal” can vary from person to person, it provides structure, familiarity and helps to form habits that can save time and energy (two of our most valuable resources).

How would I set up a routine to benefit my life?

Routine behavior is almost autonomous, meaning that we don’t give it much active thought from to start and finish. For this reason, it can be tricky to consciously kick an unhealthy pattern out for a more beneficial one. Some tried and true methods for positive routine forming involve some thought organization, a bit of planning, and most importantly time and patience.

First: Recognize the behavior that you would like to change or add. Write it down. Next: Take some time and write down your daily routine, then find out if your new goal or task fits into your current routine, and write it in. If the change is drastic, you may want to break it into smaller steps to make the transition easier. The difficult part of this process is taking the conscious effort over the next few days and weeks to perform that task as it fits. With consistency and repetition, that new task or behavior will become a habit, streamlining your life into a healthier version of itself.

 

By Matthew Rhodes, MS

Recipe of the Week: Cheeseburger Soup

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 pound ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, wheat or gluten-free
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 10 ounces Yukon Gold potatoes (2 medium), peeled and finely diced
  • 1 (12-ounce) wedge cauliflower (1/4 of a large head), stem attached
  • 1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped scallions, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and brown the meat, using a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces as it cooks, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the meat and transfer it to a small bowl.
  2. In the same pot, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute to cook the flour. Return the turkey to the pot and add the chicken broth, potatoes, and cauliflower and stir.
  3. Transfer the cauliflower and 1 cup of the liquid to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the puree into the soup and stir well. Add the cheddar and stir until melted. Serve topped with the scallions.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Yield: 6 servings, Serving Size: 1-1/2 cups
Freestyle Points: 7, Calories: 254 calories, Total Fat: 11.5g, Carbohydrates: 19g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 20g

 

Original recipe from Skinny Taste can be found here!!

Recipe of the Week: Turkey White Chili

Prep: 15 min.
Cook: 70 min.
Makes: 6 servings (6 cups)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 pound boneless skinless turkey breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 pound ground turkey
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried savory
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sliced red onion, optional

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Stir in cumin; cook 5 minutes. Add turkey; cook until no longer pink.
  2. Add broth, beans, jalapeno, marjoram and savory. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Uncover; cook 15 minutes more. Dissolve cornstarch in water; stir into chili. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes. If desired, serve with cheese and sliced red onion.

Nutrition
1 cup: 288 calories
Per serving: 12g fat, 635mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate, 3g sugars, 29g protein.

 

Find the original recipe here!

Recipe of the Week: Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup

Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 large celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp. turmeric
  • ½ tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1½ tsp. sea salt
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 2 cups baby kale leaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic, cooking another 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in the chicken stock, bay leaves, turmeric, crushed red pepper, salt and chickpeas; bringing to a boil. Mix in shredded chicken, cover and turn down heat to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. Add kale, cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, serve and enjoy!

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Serving Size: 1½ cups
Calories: 253 • Fat: 6.5 g • Carbs: 20.6 g • Fiber: 6 g • Protein: 28 g • Sugars: 3.5 g

 

Original recipe can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Veggistrone

Makes 10 servings
Ready in 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onions (2 medium)
  • 2 cups chopped celery (4 medium stalks)
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (1 medium)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chopped cabbage
  • 3 cups chopped cauliflower (about ½ medium)
  • 2 cups chopped carrots (4 medium)
  • 2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces, or frozen, thawed
  • 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney or pinto beans, rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups chopped fresh spinach
  • ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 10 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Heat oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven (8-quart or larger) over medium heat. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 13 to 15 minutes. Add cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and green beans; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 10 minutes more.
  2. Add broth, water, tomato sauce, tomatoes, beans and bay leaf; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in spinach and simmer for 10 minutes more.
  3. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in basil. Top each portion with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 2 cups
Per serving: 162 calories; 5g fat; 9g fiber; 24g carbohydrates; 7g protein; 10g sugars

 

Original recipe from Eating Well can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Chicken & Brussels One-Pot Pasta

Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cups sliced Brussels sprouts
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Boursin cheese
  • 1¼ teaspoons dried thyme
  • ¾ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions:

  1. Combine pasta, chicken, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, onion, garlic, Boursin cheese, thyme, rosemary and salt in a large pot. Stir in water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked and the water has almost evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with chives.

Nutrition:
Serving size: about 1½ cups
Per serving: 353 calories
10g fat; 8g fiber; 42g carbohydrates; 27g protein 4g sugars; 568 mg potassium

 

Original recipe can be found here from EatingWell.com!

Recipe of the Week: Red Lentil Butternut Squash Soup

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4+ servings

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup red lentils (raw, uncooked)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, diced
  • 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.
  3. Once done cooking, allow soup to cool. Carefully pour all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. *Do not blend hot soup!

 

Original recipe from TIU can be found here! 

Recipe of the Week: Turkey Pumpkin Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients
Meatballs:

  • 1.25 lbs ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary minced

Sauce:

  • 2 Tbsp organic coconut oil or ghee
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups organic pumpkin puree or remaining amount from a 15 oz can
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk see note**
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth or homemade bone broth
  • 1 small Onion chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice optional
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage
  • 1/2 tsp dried crushed rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Crushed red pepper optional, for spice
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions
To make meatballs:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl with your hands until well combined. Form mixture into 18 balls
  3. Bake meatballs (makes 18) on baking sheet at 425 for 15-18 minutes or until no longer pink on the inside, turning once midway.
  4. Transfer to pot with the sauce (instructions below), allow to simmer in sauce on low heat for about 5 minutes

To Make Sauce:

  1. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil or ghee in a large saucepan or stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent and fragrant, then add the garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes or until soft and fragrant.
  2. Lower the heat, then add the tomato sauce, pumpkin, broth, coconut milk, Italian seasoning, pumpkin pie spice, dried sage, dried rosemary and stir to combine well. Season with salt, black pepper or crushed red pepper, if desired. Stir to combine flavors, then cover and allow to simmer for 5 minutes prior to adding the meatballs.  After adding meatballs, continue to simmer on low heat about 5 minutes prior to serving.
  3. Serve over your favorite veggie noodles- I love sweet potato noodles with these!

 

Recipe Notes

**Blend your coconut milk to a smooth consistency before adding. If you prefer a slightly thinner sauce, use 1/4 cup coconut milk and 3/4 cup broth instead of 1/2 and 1/2.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal, Fat: 13g, Carbs: 13g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Protein: 27g

 

Original recipe from Paleo Running Momma can be found here!