Monday, April 28, 2008

YUMMY MONDAY: TURKEY CHILI



This is a great low-carb, low-fat and low calorie chili, and tastes great!!! And talk about easy to make!!!

Ingredients

Makes 9 servings

Cooking Spray, olive oil
2 cup onion, chopped
12 oz ground turkey
15 oz Beans, pinto, unsalted, fat free, canned, including liquid
15 oz Beans, kidney, unsalted, fat free, canned, drained
15 oz canned, unsalted, diced tomatoes, including liquid
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 oz Cheese, cheddar, fat free, shredded, optional


Directions


1. Coat a heavy saucepan with olive oil-flavored cooking spray.

2. Over medium heat, add onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in turkey, beans, and tomatoes. Add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.

3. Cook for 20 minutes reducing heat to medium-low. Stir occasionally.

4. Taste toward end of cooking time and adjust seasonings, if desired.

5. Sprinkle with a small amount of cheese, if desired.

Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts: Calories 162.1, Total Carbs 18.1g, Dietary Fiber 6.9g, Sugars 3g, Total Fat 4.1g, Saturated Fat 1.2g, Unsaturated Fat 2.9g, Protein 12.7g, Sodium 77.3mg

Sunday, April 20, 2008

YUMMY MONDAYS: OLD FASHION BLUEBERRY WHIP




Easy, light and tasty - this colorful, lower-carb dessert is good all year round!

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 1 mins
Extra Time: 3 hrs 30 mins (for refrigeration)

Yield: 4 x 3/4 cup servings

Ingredients:

3 oz raspberry-flavored sugar-free gelatin powder *
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
7 1/4 oz frozen blueberries, thawed and drained (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed (about 2.4 oz) (such as Cool Whip)
4 mint sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

In a bowl, combine gelatin with boiling water; stir until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate just until gelatin starts to mound.

In a blender container, add 1/2 of the gelatin mixture and 1/2 of the blueberries; blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl. Repeat one more time with the remaining gelatin and blueberries.

Fold in whipped dessert topping. Scrape mixture into a shallow container. Chill until firm, about three hours.

Spoon about 3/4 cup of the Blueberry Whip into each of four dessert glasses. Garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.



Variations:

Layered Blueberry Whip: Spoon alternate layers of the completed Blueberry Whip blueberries into dessert glasses, using approximately 3/4 cup Blueberry Whip and 1/4 cup blueberries per serving. Garnish with mint sprig. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings. (Note: This variation uses above entire recipe and adds an additional 1 cup of thawed and drained blueberries.)

NUTRITIONAL INFO :(Per Serving), Calories 77, Fat 2.1 g, Saturated fat 1.9 g, Carbs 13.1 g, Protien 1.4 g, Cholesterol 0.0 mg, Sugar 7.0 g

Monday, April 14, 2008

Come Dance with Me! Camp Turbo Kick 2008




Many of you have stumbled upon my Blog through your exposure to Turbo Jam, my at-home exercise video series offered through Beachbody. I get hundreds of emails each week asking if I'm actually a teacher (that's so funny!), or people wanting to know where they can take a live class or how they can take a live workout with me. So, I thought I'd tell you exactly how to do that, and a little more! Yes...you can take a live class with me, but better than that, you can spend 4 days with me and a couple hundred of your closest Turbo friends and leave thinner, happier, more motivated and inspired than you ever thought possible!

A little history ....

You see... Turbo Jam is the "at home" version of a class I've been teaching for health clubs across the country for over 11 years, called Turbo Kick. Turbo Kick is the club version, Turbo Jam is the home version. Many Turbo Jammers fall in love with the program, master it and then wonder what's next. That's when so many of you do a little internet investigation and learn that there is a way to take your new passion for Turbo to the streets and you make the jump from exerciser to instructor! YES! You CAN become a Turbo Kick certified instructor. My company, Powder Blue Productions (which I have operated along with my husband for 12 plus years) offers training programs to become a certified Turbo Kick instructor in locations across the United States and dozens of International locations every weekend. To learn more....check out my website at http://www.turbokick.com/



But YO! That's not what I'm blogging about today. Today, I wanted to tell you about an event that brings people who love Turbo, hip hop, dance and all things positive together for 4 days of fit-tab-ulous FUN with me and all your favoirte Turbo Video stars! It's called Camp Turbo Kick! You don't have to be an instructor. You don't have to be in great shape. You don't have to be an experienced Turbo person. All you have to be open minded, positive and ready to have a fit-tab-ulous good time.



Camp Turbo is a one time, one location event held every summer in Southern California. (And don't even botha asking... cuz we ain't gonna do one in your town, or in the winter or in your state, or a different week....Love it or leave it. It's one time a year, one location!)http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKick

So... the what's the big deal???...



In a nutshell, here a few quotes from people who went to Camp Turbo Kick 2007....

"It was like adult cheer camp for those of us who never got to be a cheerleader!"

"It's like lightening in a bottle."

"It gave me high that I feel could last me the whole year."

"I've never felt so supported or good about myself in all my life. "

"I'm a changed woman. I leave today with a better body and a plan for a better marriage."

"I will never look at Turbo or any exercise the same way again."

"I feel 10 years younger. ""It's like going back to a highschool pep rally that lasts 4 days and didn't include the mean girls!

""I wont be able to sleep for weeks. This is just the pick me up I needed."

"I arrived knowing not a soul. I left with 300 new friends."

"I have no idea how to put into words what this weekend has done for my spirt."

http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKick

So if 300 hundred hyper, happy, music crazy, turbo frenzied workout fanatics doesn't sound like your cup of tea, this might not be your thaaaang. We ask that all "Debbie Downers" stay home. This is 4 days of motivation. This is an investment in your personal battery pack!




You'll workout with me several times every day! Even though there will be 350 participants, you can select to be on any team you want. Being on the team helps you to get to know a small group and really feel connected. Here's a run down of our team captains, which were selected based on your votes!

http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=ila5ywp9y82d3kx422147

Your team rallies around their 'team color" and your team leaders will make sure you feel a welcome part of the family. Even if you come to camp all by yourself without knowing a soul, you'll feel welcome and supported! You can pick the team you want to be on! Then let the fun begin! We'll work-out, do an evening dance party, shopping, motivational lectures, hip hop for the non funky, healthy food, body shaping and loads of shopping..So what can you expect? You can expect a nice mix of workouts blended with motivational workshops and lectures. It might look like alot of exercise, but there's just enough spacing for you to regain your energy, even if your not in great shape.












Honestly camp attendance is about 85% female, with many gals bringing along husbands (who don't seem too terribly disappointed to be in the minority...note the huge smile on my husbands face in the photo below). Heck, what better gift to give your husband than to surround him with hundreds of energetic women who love to dance! Of course we have a decent and ever growing population of Turbo Men each year who also seem to love being in the minority! As a matter of fact, we have three male Team Captains this year who can shake it with the best of them! During the day you'll be wearing workout clothes from sun up til sun down. The evenings are speical events like our meet and greet photo session on Thursday, Friday's fabulous LA style fashion show, and Saturday nights dance party!


Basically you'll be having fun and burning calories from sun up to sun down! Check out the slide show from last year's camp at the bottom of the page...




http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=CampTurboKickWe limit attendance every year so that it's more of a personal experience. We are already approaching capacity.


I had not planned to mention camp on my blog until June, but with so few spaces left and teams filling up fast I didn't want you to miss out on the fun or the early bird discount!Come on! I promise you wont regret it!See you at camp!

Koom-buy- yah!Chalene













Come Dance with Me!

Many of you have stumbled upon my Blog through your exposure to Turbo Jam, my at-home exercise video series offered through Beachbody. I get hundreds of emails each week asking if I'm actually a teacher, where they can take live classes, how they can take a live workout with me. So, I thought I tell you exactly how to do that, and a little more!


Yes...you can take a live class with me, but better than that, you can spend 4 days with me and a couple hundred of your closest Turbo fanatics and leave thinner, happier, more motivated and inspired than you ever dreamed!


A little history ....

You see... Turbo Jam is the "at home" version of a class I've been teaching for health clubs across the country for over 11 years, called Turbo Kick. Turbo Kick is the club version, Turbo Jam is the home version. Many Turbo Jammers fall in love with the program, master it and then wonder what's next. That's when so many of you do a little internet investigation and learn that there is a way to take your new passion for Turbo to the streets and you make the jump from exerciser to instructor! YES! You CAN become a Turbo Kick certified instructor. My company, Powder Blue Productions (which I have operated along with my husband for 12 plus years) offers training programs to become a certified Turbo Kick instructor in locations across the United States and dozens of International locations every weekend. To learn more....check out my website at www.turbokick.com


But yo! That's not what I'm blogging about today. Today, I wanted to tell you about an event that brings people who love Turbo, hip hop, dance and all things positive together for 4 days of fit-tab-ulous FUN with me and all your favoirte Turbo Video stars! It's called Camp Turbo Kick! Camp Turbo is a one time, one location event held every summer in Southern California. (And don't even botha asking... cuz we ain't gonna do one in your town, or in the winter or in your state, or a different week....Love it or leave it. It's one time a year, one location!)



So... the what's the dealio...


In a nutshell, here a few quotes from people who went to Camp Turbo Kick 2007....


"It was like adult cheer camp for those of us who never got to be a cheerleader!

"It's like lightening in a bottle."

"It gave me high that I feel could last me the whole year."

"I've never felt so supported or good about myself in all my life. "

"I'm a changed woman. I leave today with a better body and a plan for a better marriage."

"I will never look at Turbo or any exercise the same way again."

"I feel 10 years younger. "

"It's like going back to a highschool pep rally that lasts 4 days! "

"I wont be able to sleep for weeks. This is just the pick me up I needed."

"I arrived knowing not a soul. I left with 300 new friends."

"I have no idea how to put into words what this weekend has done for my spirt."



So if 300 hundred hyper, happy, music crazy, turbo frenzied workout fanatics doesn't sound like your cup of tea, this might not be your camp. This is 4 days of motivation. This is an investment in your personal battery pack! You'll workout with me several times every day! Even though there will be 350 participants, you can select to be on any team you want. Being on the team helps you to get to know a small group and really feel connected. Here's a run down of our team captains, which were selected based on your votes! http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=ila5ywp9y82d3kx422147

Your team rallies around their 'team color" and your team leaders will make sure you feel a welcome part of the family. Even if you come to camp all by yourself without know a soul, you'll feel welcome and supported! You can pick whatever team you want to be on! Then let the fun begin! We'll work-out, do an evening dance parties, shopping, motivational lectures, hip hop for the non funky, healthy food, and loads of shopping..


So what can you expect? You can expect a nice mix of workouts blended with motivational workshops and lectures. It might look like alot of exercise, but there's just enough spacing for you to regain your energy, even if your not in great shape. Honestly camp attendance is about 85% female, with many gals bringing along husbands (who don't seem too terribly disappointed to be in the minority). Heck, what better gift to give your husband than to surround him with hundreds of beautiful women who love to dance! Of course we have a decent and ever growing population of Turbo Men each year who also seem to love being in the minority! As a matter of fact, we have three male Team Captains this year who can shake it with the best of them!


During the day you'll be wearing workout clothes from sun up til sun down. The evenings are speical events like our meet and greet photo session on Thursday, Friday's fabulous LA style fashion show, and Saturday nights dance party! Basically you'll be having fun and burning calories from sun up to sun down! Check out the slide show from last year's camp at the bottom of the page...





We limit attendance every year so that it's more of a personal experience. We are already approaching capacity. I had not planned to mention camp on my blog until June, but with so few spaces left and teams filling up fast I didn't want you to miss out on the fun or the early bird discount!


Come on! I promise you wont regret it!


See you at camp!



Koom-buy- yah!


Chalene


YUMMY MONDAYS: LOW-FAT RANCH DRESSING


Low-Fat Ranch Dressing



We all know there are so many low-fat salad dressing on the market, but there is nothing like the taste of a freshly made dressing. Here is a quick and simple one you will love!!





Ingredients:



4 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons granular no-calorie sweetener, e.g., Splenda (R)
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced



Cooking Directions:



In a bowl, combine oil, vinegar, sweetener and marjoram. Whisk in buttermilk, yogurt and mayonnaise. Stir in onion, parsley and garlic. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight to thicken. whisk before serving. serve over salad greens and vegetables of your choice. Refrigerate leftover dressing.
Yield: 10 servings



Nutrition Info per serving, Calories: 30, Carbohydrates: 2 g, Dietary Fiber: 0 g, Fat: 2 g, Protein: 0 g ,Sugars: 1 g

Monday, April 07, 2008

YUMMY MONDAYS: STRAWBERRY - ORANGE SMOOTHIE


This beautiful deep pink smoothie is filled with a days worth of vitamin C !!!!


Serves 2



1 1/2 cups vanilla soymilk
   2    cups  (one 10-ounce bag) frozen unsweetened strawberries, partially thawed
   1 medium banana, cut into chucks
  1/3  cup   calcium-enriched orange juice
Honey, to taste, if desired


Place the soymilk, strawberries, banana, and orange juice in a blender.  Cover and blend on high for about 1 minute, or until smooth.  
Sweeten to taste with honey.


Pour into 2 glasses.  Serve immediately.



Per serving, Calories: 195, Protein: 6 g, Carbs: 39 g, Fiber: 5 g, Total Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g,
Cholesterol: 0 g, Calcium: 308 mg, Sodium: 131 mg.