Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe

Wow!  It's been so long since I've posted on this blog.  It's about time!  I made this wonderful recipe this evening for dinner and wanted to share it with you!  I will make a point to blog more of my nutrition tips, ideas, and recipes.  Happy eating (clean)!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

I made 2 different types of stuffed peppers.  

1) Chicken / Avocado Stuffed Peppers

2) Bison / Bacon Stuffed Peppers

CHICKEN / AVOCADO STUFFED PEPPERS

Ingredients for 2servings:

2 Peppers

6-8 oz. pulled chicken

6-12 tablespoons or 1 sm avocado (I used 6, but wished I would have used 12)

1 egg

*Salt & Pepper (to taste- optional)

*Paprika (to taste- optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut off tops of bell peppers and remove seeds. 

Whisk egg and avocado together until fluffy with an electric mixer.  

Mix in pulled chicken.  ( I had left over rotisserie chicken that I needed to use up.. it was perfect).

Add Salt, Pepper, and Paprika to taste if desired.  (I like the cayenne pepper, it gives it a little extra flavor).

Stuff mixture into bell pepper.

Bake about 30 minutes or until the egg/avocado seems cooked.  It will be a little moist.  

Enjoy!

BISON / BACON STUFFED PEPPERS

Ingredients for 2 servings:

2 Peppers

12oz. Ground Bison

4 Strips of bacon

1 Egg

*Salt & Pepper (to taste- optional)

*Paprika (to taste- optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds.

Cook the bacon and crumble into pieces 

     *(I cooked my bacon in a cast iron skillet- and used the skillet to bake later...bacon grease and all).

Mix the bison, egg, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper and bacon crumbles.  Don't be afraid to use your hands!

If you want to use the excess bacon grease, feel free to roll your peppers around in it or if you prefer to use olive oil, that is a great option as well.  FATS are a must!

Stuff mixture into pepper.

Bake for 45min to a 1 hour.  Time can vary depending on how well you like your meat cooked.  

Enjoy!

DAYS 11-24

All in all, I would call my Advocare 24 Day Challenge a success!  It was exactly what I needed at that time.  It held me be accountable and helped me dial back in on my clean eating.  I could definitely tell a difference in my energy levels, my mood, my work outs, and I felt more comfortable in my clothes and in my own skin.  It was a good feeling and experience all around.  I must admit that I was not as resiliant once Christmas Eve arrived.  I tried to stay the course and to keep it clean(er) and made Christmas paleo sugar cookies.  While they were festive and fun to make, I did not like them at all and eventually made Santa the real deal.  I could definitely tell the difference in my energy and work out the day after  I steered off the course.  This was proof to my experiment that the cleanse works if you follow it.  All in all... I would reccommend this to anyone who wants that extra boost.

Here are my final log entries / notes:

PHASE II – DAYS 11-24

Day 11

Thursday 12/13/2012

*Despite waking up at 5:30am, I am feeling well rested and ready to tackle my day.  I find that I am energized, even with back-to-back appointments.  I am able to work with out getting sleepy, maintain acute focus, and have high energy through out my day.  I am excited to work out!  I like the way I am feeling physically and mentally.  An added bonus is that I don’t feel crazy hungry between snacks or meals.  (It seems like they are arrive just in time.)  

Even though I have not weighed myself yet, (on purpose) I can tell that my waist is slimming down.  I can start to see my abs again and I can see the definition on my arms again as well.  So far so good!  Now that I am seeing results, feeling and performing better, I am motivated even more to continue on and see what else is in store for me.  (By the way, I have a friend who is doing this with me, and we have had very similar experiences).  It’s fun to send each other texts and say, “Hey… are you feeling this____?” or “Are you experiencing that_____?”  Today I got a text that said, “My pants are loose!!!!!” 

I’m usually pretty cynical about products and I am not a pill popper.  I stick to natural herbs, vitamins, and amino acids.  After doing some personal research, I found that the quality of these products are in alignment with what I believe in and would definitely put in my body. 

I was curious to see for myself how this challenge and these products would work for ME, rather than take someone else’s word.  Also, I wouldn’t feel right recommending a product to someone that I have not tried myself.  (Not to mention, I’m selfishly doing this as my own “jump start.”)  So far, I like!  So far, I recommend.

5:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

MNS “before breakfast pack”

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

7:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Meal replacement shake:

Fish Oil

Meal 2:

10:30am

Protein Shake w/ water

12:30pm

3 catalyst

MNS “before lunch” pack

½ spark

Meal 3:

1:00pm

Spicy Crockpot Chicken Salad W/ Avocado & Jalapenos & Salsa

MNS “with breakfast or lunch packs”

•    3 Joint Promotion

•     Helps lubricate and protect joints*

•    Supports joint health*

•    Contributes to mobility and flexibility*

•    Aids in relieving occasional pain after exercise*

Contains glucosamine, MSM and other nutrients that support joint health*

Work Out:

3:30

“Active Recovery”

Row 30minutes (light and easy)

Meal 4:

4:30pm (Post Work Out)

Protein + coconut water

Meal 5:

7:00pm

2 eggs / 2 bacon

1 c. veggie medley (squash, zucchini, onion, bell pepper)

*cooked in bacon grease

Fish Oil

Day 12

Friday, 12/14/ 2012

*Felt energized all day…that’s cool.  What’s not so cool is still feeling amped when you want to sleep.  I eventually fell asleep, but I slept lightly.  On the bright side I woke up feeling rested.  

7:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

MNS “before breakfast pack”

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

8:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Smoothie

Fish Oil

Meal 2:

11:00am

Protein Shake w/ water

12:30pm

3 catalyst

MNS “before lunch” pack

½ spark

Meal 3:

1:00pm

3oz chicken and shrimp (ate out)

1c. broccoli

1/2c green beans

MNS “with breakfast or lunch packs”

3 Joint Promotion

Work Out:

REST DAY

Meal 4:

3:30pm

Protein + coconut water

Meal 5:

6:00pm

4oz hamburger water

6 baby carrots

pickles

Meal 6:

7:00pm

Whipped Coconut milk mousse

*I felt hungrier than usual today.  I was hungry with in 2 hours of eating lunch.  Also, it was Friday, and I was out and about and had a sweet tooth so I made a coconut milk whipped mousse.

*There is something that is causing bloating and bubbly tummy… I am starting to wonder if coconut water is the culprit… I’m going to cut it out of my diet today to see what happens.

Day 13

Saturday 12/15/ 2012

9:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

MNS “before breakfast pack”

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

10:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Shake

Fish Oil

Work Out:

12:30pm

A.  3-3-3-1-1-1

     Squat Snatch (93lbs)

B.   AMRAP in 12 Min:

       15 Deadlifts @ 115 lbs

       15 Deficit Push Ups

       15 Box Jumps on 20” Box

*I went out strong, but after the 3^rd round I completely hit a wall.  I had been hungry all day on Friday (cut back on the carbs- tried to follow the “burn” program) but I realized at this moment that the “burn” program will not work for me and my energy needs.  Back to my regular eating style…it works for me.

Meal 2:

2:00pm

Protein Shake w/ coconut water

2:30pm

Meal 3:

1:00pm

3oz spicy chicken

1c. veggie medley

MNS “with breakfast or lunch packs”

3 Joint Promotion

Meal 4:

6:00pm

4oz hamburger taco salad

Day 14

Sunday 12/16/ 2012

7:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

MNS “before breakfast pack”

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

8:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Shake

2 slices of bacon

Fish Oil

12:30pm

3 catalyst

MNS “before lunch” pack

½ spark

Meal 2:

1:00pm

2oz chicken breast tender

6 baby carrots and 2 broccoli florets

MNS “with breakfast or lunch packs”

3 Joint Promotion

Work Out:

A.  5 x 2 Squat Clean 115 lbs

B.  5 x 3 Min AMRAP: (w/ the Henry’s- couple work out)

      6 Muscle Snatch 55 lbs

      6 KB Swings 50 lbs

      6 Burpees

Meal 3:

3:30pm

Protein + coconut water

Meal 4:

4:30

Pumpkin Muffin

Meal 5:

6:00pm

4oz roast beef

3 tbs avocado

*much better energy.  

Day 15

Monday 12/17/ 2012

8:00am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

MNS “before breakfast pack”

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

8:30am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

2 eggs

2 slices of bacon

6” banana

1/4c blueberries

1 tsp almond slices

Fish Oil

½ spark

10:00am

Work Out:

AMRAP in 20Min:

3 DB Thrusters 25 lbs

3 Pull Ups

200m Run

6 DB Thrusters / 6 Pull Ups / 200m Run…

9…12…15                              Total:  Round 21

 Meal 2: (post work out)

3:30pm

Protein + coconut water

 1:00pm

3 catalyst

MNS “before lunch” pack

 Meal 3:

1:00pm

2oz chicken breast salad w/ olive oil

MNS “with breakfast or lunch packs”

3 Joint Promotion

Meal 4:

4:30

Pumpkin Muffin

Meal 5:

6:00pm

4oz roast beef

3 tbs avocado

Days 8-10

Similar to days 1-3, days 8-10 are back to the fiber drink before breakfast.  The fiber drink is designed to support intestinal function, eliminate wastes and help maintain cholesterol levels that are already in the normal range.  Antioxidants also help protect the intestinal lining.  

Also, similar to days 4-7, I am now taking the "Probiotic Restore" packet along with the fiber drink before breakfast.  The restore packet contains 6 strains of probiotics to help restore healthy bacteria in the intestines for enhanced digestion.  This is important so that you can absorb and use the nutrients from your food and supplements.  

A happy gut = functioning metabolism  
functioning metabolism = efficient use of energy 
efficient use of energy = cells/organs/tissues function (can do their job efficiently) 
efficient cells/organs/tissues =  ideal body fat and lean body mass

Think about it... how do you perform at work if you are stressed out, irritated, tired, and hungry?  It's a fair assumption that your out put will be poor.

If your intestines are irritated by the foods you eat, they become inflamed and either work extra hard to do its job (energy leak) or shut down (energy loss), and are not able to perform it's metabolic functions.   Basically, systems begin to work incorrectly or not at all.

So the take home message is:
a happy gut = functioning metabolism = ideal body fat and lean body mass

Day 8

Monday 12/10/2012

8:00am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

1-Restore Packet (2 little white capsules)

Fiber Drink (followed by a full glass of water)

1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

*Days 8-10 are back on the fiber drink along with the restore pills in the am.  It definitely did it’s job.

8:30am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Meal replacement shake:

Fish Oil- This is a supplement that I've taken for about 2 years now.  I can definitely tell a difference in my recovery, in my skin, hair, nails, and overall wellness.  The list of benefits goes on and on... google it! 

1:00pm

3 catalyst

½ spark

Meal 2:

1:30pm

Grilled chicken salad at Cheesecake Factory

Work Out

3:30pm

A.  5 Rounds For Time:

      8 Deadlifts @ 155 lbs

     30 Air Squats

     8 Hand Stand Push Ups              TIME: 8:04

B.  Worked on negative ring dips

C. 5-3-3-3-1 Hang Power Clean  up to 116 or 126lbs. ?can't remember?

*great work out!  Felt fast and strong.  All deadlifts and HSPU were performed unbroken! 

Meal 3: (Post Work Out)

5:00pm

Protein Shake+ coconut water

Immediately before bedtime

9:00pm

*Good energy all day.  I did feel a little bloated.  Ugh. 

Day 9

Tuesday 12/11/2012

6:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

1-Restore Packet (2 little white capsules)

Fiber Drink (followed by a full glass of water)

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

7:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Meal replacement shake

Fish Oil

11:30am

3 catalyst

½ spark

Meal 2:

12:00pm

Organic/GrassFed Hamburger Taco Salad w/ Avocado and Jalapenos 

½ spark

Work Out

2:30pm

100 pseudo prone breast stoke

1mile run

100 ring push ups/ ring rows (alternated b/n movements @ 10 reps)

1mile run

100 ring dips / weighted later raise (alt. b/n mvmts @ 10 reps; dip assis.)

*run splits were ~8:35 pace-not too crazy fast~ 

Meal 3: (Post Work Out)

3:45pm

Protein Shake+ coconut water

Meal 4:

4:45pm

Snacked on a banana/blueberry muffin… freshly baked… couldn’t resist! (recipe on previous post)

Meal 5:

6:00pm

2-3oz of crockpot spicy chicken tacos wrapped in lettuce shells

3 tbs avocado

6 baby carrots

½ bell pepper

*I got the “Crockpot spicy chicken” idea/recipe from Advocare’s “Helpful Hints & Menu Ideas”  It was delicious and sooooo EASY!  Here it is: “place 6 chicken breasts, 1 c. water, and a pack of Taco Seasoning (low sodium) in the crock-pot, and voila!”   

Immediately before bedtime

9:00pm

*Another great energy day.  Still feeling bloated, even worse than yesterday. =(  I’m pretty sure it’s the fiber drink and the probiotics.  As long as they do their job... it's only temporary.    

Day 10

Wednesday 12/12/2012

6:30am

Immediately upon rising on empty stomach:

3-Catalyst

1-Restore Packet (2 little white capsules)

Fiber Drink (followed by a full glass of water)

*1 mug of hot peppermint tea w/ organic apple cider vinegar

7:00am (20-40min after)

Meal 1:

Meal replacement shake:

Fish Oil

½ Spark

Work Out

8:00am

30 Overhead Squat @65lbs

30 Pull Ups

30 Power Snatches @65lbs

30 Toes to Bar

30 Sumo Deadlift High Pull @ 65lbs

30 Air Squats

30 Kettle Bell Swings @16kg      TIME: 16:14

 Whew! This was a goooood one!

Meal 2: (Post Work Out)

9:00am

Protein Shake from smoothie bar* desperately needed after that brutal beat down!

12:30pm

3 catalyst

Meal 3:

1:00pm

Grilled Chicken Salad W/ Olive Oil + Greek Seasoning

•    3 Joint Promotion- I added this into my regimen due to my high volume of training.  I've used this in the past and it really does help. 

•     Helps lubricate and protect joints*

•    Supports joint health*

•    Contributes to mobility and flexibility*

•    Aids in relieving occasional pain after exercise*

Contains glucosamine, MSM and other nutrients that support joint health*

Meal 4:

4:30pm

Banana/Blueberry Muffin

Meal 5:

6:00pm

2-1/2 bison meatballs (~4oz)

1/2c. marinara

1 c. veggie medley (squash, zucchini, onion, bell pepper)

*cooked in olive oil and meatballs had almond flour (fats)

Thank, Juli for the meatball recipe... I will post it soon!

  

Immediately before bedtime

9:00pm

*Another great energy day.  No more bloating!  Great energy, Feeling fantastic! I feel like I am slimming down/leaning up.  Yippee!!!!!!!!!